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Bianca, her dark eyes shining with the glow of candlelight, was standing right in front of me, her features giving away the alarm she felt.
“Good evening, White Rook,” I said, respectfully inclining my head.
Despite the fact she should be used to this kind of event, she always seemed to lose her composure. She recovered it quickly, however, and returned my bow with one of her own.
She wore her Rook uniform, not an evening gown, sword at her waist. I was slightly disappointed. White looked good on her, but red and lilac suited her better. I fondly remembered the red dress she’d worn the day we met, and the lilac one on Hallows Eve during the masquerade ball last fall, the first time we kissed.
“I would ask you to dance, but it would look... odd,” I said, gesturing toward her uniform.
She blushed and seemed regretful at the missed opportunity.
“What brings you to this side of town?” she asked in a polite society tone.
“I wished to enjoy the beauty offered by the White Palace.” I held her gaze, trying to make her believe I was here for her. It took all I had not to glance away in shame at the lie. I was happy to see Bianca, but it was the scepter I was interested in.
The smile she offered me didn’t reach her eyes. She was tense. Something about her seemed on edge, and I didn’t think it had anything to do with my presence here. Was it guilt over the Trove she’d found for Lovina?
“Is everything alright?” I asked.
“Of course,” she said, deepening her smile. I could tell she was lying. “Would you like to go for a walk? The gardens are beautiful despite the snow.”
“Won’t you be cold?” I asked.
She frowned. It had been a stupid thing to say. She knew I knew cold didn’t affect us anymore.
“No, I won’t,” she said, suspicion narrowing her eyes.
“Well, then—”
“Her Royal Majesty, the White Queen,” a deep voice announced, cutting me short.
My chest clenched. Lovina was here.
Bianca turned her back on me and stood at attention, her arm outstretched in a salute. I took a step back, then another until I had a good view of the Queen through the partygoers.
She was alabaster white with spidery dark veins scattered about. Her waist-long hair matched her pallor. Her eyes glowed brightly, two red beacons that bespoke her nature. A smile stretched her crimson-painted lips. She looked... happy. Her expression curdled my blood. She was celebrating the acquisition of a new Trove, the fact that she could, once more, walk in the daylight. The sun-loving Queen had a new slave, and it made her joyful.
A small crown rested on her brow. I craned my neck, trying to get a glimpse of her hands. Did she have the scepter with her? My throat closed up when I realized she did. I clenched my fists.
Timotei’s freedom was within reach.
The scepter was golden, about the length of my forearm. It had a round top the size of a fist, which was delicately carved and etched with small, colorful jewels. From where I stood, it didn’t seem impressive or all that valuable, not considering the riches Maximus had in his own palace. So why did he want it?
I imagined myself barreling through all the nobles, the ladies falling on their silken bottoms as I pushed them out of the way. I imagined snatching the scepter from the Queen’s hand and running away with my new preternatural speed, bursting through the front gate, and getting lost in the woods as I made my way to the Black Palace, to safety and freedom for my brother.
I could do it, couldn’t I? I was fast enough. I’d outrun both Black Knights. I could outrun the White Knights too, not to mention the Rooks. I glanced at Bianca’s back, ramrod straight in her salute. Would she take chase?
I shook my head and bit the inside of my cheek until I drew blood. I was being stupid, nonsensical. Even if I managed to pry the scepter from the Queen’s fingers, I would never outrun her. She was as strong as Maximus and was capable of crushing my neck with one hand.
The Queen walked down the dance floor while her subjects stepped aside, bowing. Her red eyes searched the crowd and stopped when they found Bianca. Her smile deepened.
Lovina extended a hand toward her Rook. The people who stood in front of Bianca opened a path from her to the Queen.
“Come, Rook Flagfall,” the Queen said.
Bianca seemed to hesitate for an instant. When she moved toward her Queen, I fought the urge to grab her wrist and hold her back.
“Today, I can celebrate because of you,” Lovina added as Bianca stopped a few steps from the Queen and inclined her head. “Join me,” she added as she veered toward a set of carved doors.
As Lovina glided away, she pointed at different people inviting them to follow. Realizing what was happening, I quickly made my way toward the door, squeezing past several lords and ladies. They glanced at me in disapproval but didn’t dare voice their protests out loud. When I reached the door, I pushed to the front, puffing out my chest like a rooster.
The Queen pointed her scepter right and left, granting her favor. The chosen smiled, the rest tried in vain to hide their disappointment. The carved doors opened as if magically.
I puffed my lungs even wider until I felt they might explode.
Lovina pointed her scepter straight at my chest. I almost deflated in relief just as Bianca surreptitiously shook her head, warning me that I shouldn’t go in.
I ignored her and stepped into the room after the other chosen ones.