“I’ve waited a very long time to meet you, Miss Sydelle,” she said. “May I call you Sydelle?”

“Of course,” I mumbled, looking down. I had never been given the chance to go away to a fancy finishing school. There was a schoolhouse in Cliffton, a one-room building that boys and girls shared. We had learned how to read and write and do arithmetic, but I certainly hadn’t learned how to set a table correctly or speak another language. There were only two or three years’ difference between the queen and me in age, but the confidence with which she held herself made her seem much older than me.

I felt like I was six years old again, cheeks stained with dust and scabs on my knees. The slightest movement made me feel boorish and clumsy.

“Well, Sydelle,” she began pleasantly, “I’m so very glad to make your acquaintance. I’ve heard rumors that you had quite the adventure coming here.”

“Your Majesty.” Pompey bowed. “May I take my leave to inspect the Wizard Guard’s progress?”

“Would you mind getting Oliver for me?” Queen Eglantine said. “I have a question I’d like to ask him.”

“Of course, Your Majesty.” Pompey bowed again and shut the door silently behind him.

We took a turn about the room, arriving back at the table of ladies.

“Leave,” Queen Eglantine said brusquely. The ladies-in-waiting stood, curtsied, and practically flew from the room.

“Now, Sydelle,” she said with a smile. “Please sit down. Would you like to play a game?”

I balked, wringing my hands until they were bright red.

“I’m very sorry,” I said after a moment, “but I don’t know how to play cards.”

“Don’t know how to play!” she repeated, looking astonished. “Where are you from?”

“Cliffton,” I said. What had my mother said? Not to look your elders directly in the eye? I tried to straighten my spine and keep my eyes trained on the beautiful carpet, but I was so tired that it didn’t seem worth it.

“Oh, that pretty little shipping town in the south!” she exclaimed.

“Actually, it’s out west,” I said, hesitating. Even before I saw the brief flash of annoyance on her face, I knew it wasn’t proper to correct her. Her smile quickly recovered, at least.

“Right, of course.” Queen Eglantine waved her hand dismissively. “There are so many cities and villages that it’s easy to confuse them. Are you homesick? You look a touch sallow.”

“A little,” I said, bringing a hand to my cheek.

“I’m homesick all the time,” she said. “I’m not from Provincia, you know, and I’d much rather move the capital to Estoria, or at least build another palace there.”

I nodded.

“Did you get a chance to see Estoria while you were traveling? We have such lovely shopping markets and flower fields there.”

I shook my head.

“You’re not very talkative, Sydelle,” she said a bit sourly. “You haven’t told me anything about yourself yet!”

“Well…,” I began slowly. “I’m from Cliffton….”

“Yes, we’ve already established that,” she said. I bristled slightly.

“Do you know what’s going on right now in Cliffton?” I asked. “In all of the western villages? They’ve been overrun by Auster’s ally.”

“Yes, I’m aware, but I didn’t realize that your village was one of those affected,” she said. “There’s a plan in place to protect them now. I promise no harm will come to your family and friends.”

“Thank you,” I said.

“Now, what else? What other exciting things have you done? I feel very sorry for you that you’ve had to put up with that scoundrel for so long, but I’m sure something exciting happened!”

“Nothing terribly exciting,” I lied. “Just a few duels.”

“Duels!” Her eyes lit up. “I love duels!”

She reached across the table and eagerly took my hand again. “Tell me, were they for your hand? You’re a precious little thing—it must have been so romantic!”

“Not really,” I said, swallowing my first touches of anger. “It was actually quite terrifying.”

“That wizard’s not very powerful at all, is he?” the queen mused, resting her chin in her free hand. “I’m glad he’s down where he can’t bother us anymore. Pompey will throw him into the dungeons.”

“How did you—?” I began. Pompey had brought me directly to her chambers—how could she have learned what had happened already?

“No matter, Sydelle. It will all work out.” The queen squeezed my hand, a slight smile on her face. “Now, I couldn’t help but notice that pretty little charm bracelet you have on. Where did you get it?”

“It was a—” Now that I knew the truth, the word was hard to get out. “It was a gift.”

“Oh, how delightful!” the queen clasped her hands together. “Someone had very good taste to give you that.”

“I’m sure you have much nicer things,” I said.

“May I try it on?” she asked. “I’m sure it’ll fit. I have delicate little wrists.”

My heart leapt to my throat, and my body felt heavy and frozen all at once. I shook my head.

“I can’t take it off,” I said lamely. “I’m very sorry. There’s no clasp.”