20. The Queen’s Wrath

20

THE QUEEN’S WRATH

(ROWENA)

W hen my mother told me about Morgath, she was adamant that Morgath could not be trusted. I’ve always held her words and experiences close and never thought that one day, I would willingly walk into Morgath’s den. I’ve lived alone in the Forest of Herbs all my life, and in a way, I was happy.

Then came Riven, and everything changed.

I look around me, silently taking in the room I was held in for the umpteenth time. It’s a small, dimly lit room tucked away in Morgath’s palace.

There’s nothing in the room except the bed I’m sitting on, and I’ve been here for so long that I’m going crazy. I’m not used to being cooped up in one place. I miss the constant buzz in the forest and my little hut.

There’s a guard at the door who tells me this is not a prison, but anytime I attempt to leave this room, he refuses, claiming Morgath hasn’t permitted me. If that’s not a sign of being imprisoned, I don’t know what is.

After Riven left today, the strange cat showed up at my door, bringing an invite from Morgath. I know I can’t reject the Queen, so I followed the cat back to the coven. As soon as I reached the palace, I was escorted to this room and have remained here since then. Queen Morgath hasn’t come to see me and has also refused to let me out of this room.

I’m trying not to panic or cause an uproar because I’m unsure why I’m here. After all, this is my coven, even if I’m an outcast. I should feel safe.

There’s only one window in the room, through which I’ve noted the progression of the day. It’s now past midnight, seeing how high the moon hangs in the sky. I think of Riven, and my heart lurches.

Maybe it’s not so bad that I’m here. Maybe if Morgath finally shows up, I can get through to her and find a solution for Riven. If I can’t, then she can have my powers in return for setting him free. He plans to come to the coven tomorrow, and it’s the last thing I want.

I have a faint suspicion that Riven's coming here would cause a shift—a huge one—that may change things for the worse. He already has enough problems with his father; he doesn’t need any more. Although I totally dislike King Faelor, he’s still Riven’s father, and I hope they can come to a mutual understanding if Riven hopes to become King one day.

As these thoughts flit through my mind, there’s a knock on the door. Before I can admit the person is, the door swings open to reveal the black cat. I’m beginning to hate this cat because anytime I see it, disaster follows. I also hate how it’s able to speak into my mind. Its mouth doesn’t move, but I can hear its words between my ears.

“Come with me,” it says. “Morgath seeks your presence.”

I hurry down the bed and follow the cat out of the room, eager to speak to Morgath on behalf of Riven. The earlier I can talk to her and come to a conclusion, the better. The cat leads me down a long, winding hallway until we arrive at a huge oak door.

“Go in,” it says and sprints away.

When the animal is out of sight, I push the door open and step in. I’m not prepared for the scene before me. I hoped I could speak to Morgath, but she’s not alone. There’s a whole council spread out in front of me. Seven seats form a semicircle, and on each seat, there’s a woman. Tall, slender, with amazing hair. On the seventh seat, on a throne-like chair, sits Morgath, a small smile on her face.

“Welcome, child,” she greets. “I hope you’ve been treated well since you’ve been here.”

“If that’s what you call being held prisoner…” I hold my head up, meeting everyone’s gaze.

“Oh, I like her,” the first witch says. She’s a redhead whose black eyes gleam with amusement as she takes me in. “She’s as fiery as her mother.”

My eyes narrow at her, and I struggle to keep down an angry surge.

“Careful now, Ruby,” Morgath laughs. “Rowena doesn’t like it when we speak about her mom. She blames me for her mother’s death.”

“Sorry for blaming you for a death you clearly caused.” I venture further into the room, acting like I’m courageous when all I feel right now is fear.

“What am I doing here, Morgath? You gave me until the lunar eclipse to make my decision.”

“She’s got no respect,” another witch spits at me. “I don’t like that she’s here. She’s an outcast. She smells like her wretched mother.”

“Calm down, Sapphire,” Morgath hisses. “She’s just a child.”

I have much to say to the Sapphire witch, but Morgath continues to speak, grabbing my attention. “Yes, Rowena, I gave you until the lunar eclipse to make your decision,” she says. “But I realize you don’t need that much time. The lunar eclipse is happening tomorrow. I’m sure you’ve decided already, haven’t you?”

I scoff. “It’s just like you not to keep your word.”

“I’ve never claimed to be a woman who kept her words,” Morgath laughs. “My words do not bind me; I’m bound by selfish desires. If my words don't serve me, I’ll retract them.”

“How convenient.”

“So what’s it going to be, Rowena?” The amusement clears from her eyes, replaced by uh unflinching seriousness. “Will you save Riven’s life or you’re?”

A tense silence follows her ultimatum, and I know I must pick my words carefully. I’m surrounded by women who hate my existence and will not hesitate to pounce on me like vultures.

“You’re right, Morgath, I have made my decision,” I answer slowly. “But I don’t trust you.”

An angry murmur spreads through the meeting, and Morgath raises an arm to quell it. Her eyes sizzle with anger, but her voice is saccharine sweet when she speaks to me.

“What does trust have to do with this?”

I take a step forward. “How do I know you would keep your end of the bargain after I give you my powers?”

Another murmur spread again, angrier and more intense. “So you’re choosing to save the fae Prince?” Ruby laughed. “Like mother, like daughter.”

“What does that mean?” I turn to her.

“Enough!” Queen Morgath growls, and then she pins Ruby with a fatal glare for a few seconds before turning to me.

“That’s a valid observation,” she says. “But you’re just going to have to trust me.”

“Why?” I shrug. “You brazenly admit that you don’t even keep your word. So you have nothing to give me that I can hold on to.”

She laughed and slowly rose to her feet. Fear bubbles in my chest, but I don’t let it show. I really shouldn’t prod these people. I may be powerful, but I can’t hold them all off simultaneously.

“Ruby.” Queen Morgath stretched out her hand toward the red-haired witch. At first, Ruby hesitated. But when Morgath glared at her, she dipped her hands into the pocket of her robes and withdrew a rare gem. Rowena recognized it instantly as the Moonstone heart.

“This is the healing stone,” Morgath says. “All you have to do is surrender your powers to me, and I’ll heal the Prince.”

I watch the women, wondering why I feel uneasy. I know Morgath isn’t to be trusted, but there’s something else in the air. Something that makes me feel like a cornered prey in the den of predators.

I hold my breath, different thoughts flitting through my mind. If I can get my hand on the Moonstone heart, will I be able to heal Riven myself? Or is there something else that I need to know?

“I’d like to think about this some more,” I answer evasively. “You promised until the lunar eclipse.”

A blue-haired witch laughs. “Queen Morgath, I think Rowena doesn’t understand the gravity of her situation.”

My head snaps in her direction, and I frown. “What are you talking about?”

“Oh, you’ll soon find out,” the blue-haired witch growls. “We’ll see how proud you are when that happens.”

“Cobalt, that’s enough,” Queen Morgath snaps. “I’ll handle this.”

“Handle what?” I take a step back. “What’s going on here?”

Queen Morgath laughs, taking pride in my worry and fear. She’s about to speak when the door opens with a loud bang. I jump, relaxing slightly, when I see one of the coven guards standing there, a distressed look on his face.

“What is it?” Morgath yells at him.

He hurries toward her, leans close, and whispers into her ear. Morgath’s eyes widen, and a look of pure joy crosses her face.

“Excellent.” She calls excitedly. “I couldn’t have planned it better. Let him in. Let him in.”

When the guard disappears out the door, Morgath returns to the council and whispers to them, causing an excited murmur to break out among them. I frown, wondering what this is about.

“…let him in.”

Him? Who could it be?

There’s a faint suspicion in my heart about who had the power to set the witches' council on their toes like this, but I don’t want to believe it’s him. It can’t be Riven. It better not be him.

The door opens again, and the witches’s gaze slowly lights up as they gaze at the entrance. Slowly, I turn, and my heart catches in my throat when I see who just walked in.

It’s Riven. There’s a wild worry in his expression, but it melts away when he sees me.

“Rowena.” He rushes toward me, engulfing me in a warm hug. I’ve never felt so safe. “Oh, I was so scared.” He holds me at arm’s length, his gaze searching my face. “Are you okay? Are you hurt?”

“No, I’m?—”

“I never hurt my guests,” Queen Morgath cuts me off. “She’s fine.” She slowly drifts toward us, and I feel this was her plan all along.

“But you, Prince Riven, aren’t my guest.”

Riven pushes me behind him and bravely faces Morgath. “Are you threatening me?”

She stops a few feet away from him. “You are so brave coming here. You’re on my turf; I can do anything to you.” Then she raises a finger. “But I won’t. Right now, Rowena is of more worth to me than you.”

“What?” Riven grabs me tighter. “Don’t you dare touch her.”

“I won’t.” Morgath shakes her head. “She’ll give me everything I need.”

Riven turns to me and holds my face in his hands. “Rowena, listen to me. Don’t do it.”

I blink at him, and even though this isn’t the time, I can’t help but marvel at how handsome he is. “Don’t do it, please.”

“But the lunar eclipse is tomorrow,” I say. “I don’t want you to be stuck as a stone forever.”

“I’d rather be stuck as a stone than lose you,” he says seriously. “Please, Rowena, we can figure this out. Let’s get out of here.”

Queen Morgath growls, but before we can see what she’s about, the floor gapes between Riven and me, and a chasm suddenly separates us.

“Rowena!” Riven shrieks, stumbling back as the open ground encroaches on his feet.

“I’m fine.” I force a smile, but I know this will be a day we’ll never forget. Morgath is ready to do whatever it takes to get my powers. I can only hope she stands by her word and heals Riven.

“You love him, don’t you?” Morgath suddenly appears before me, her eyes dark and intense.

“Rowena, don’t say anything,” Riven shouts from across the room. “Don’t say anything!”

“Look at me, child.” Morgath’s nearness keeps me riveted. “I’ve seen this happen before,” she says severely. “And you know where?”

I swallow, refusing to take her bait. But she laughs in my face. “Your mother,” she says. “She fell in love just like this, and look where it landed her. Look where it landed you.”

My eyes widen as I connect the dots. “My mother fell in love with a fae?”

Morgath shakes her head. “There’s a whole lot you don’t know. I wonder why your mother kept all these away from you.”

“Maybe because she wanted to avoid her daughter making the same mistake,” Ruby answered devilishly. “But I guess that didn’t work. She’s gone and fallen in love with a fae Prince.”

“Let her go!” Riven butts in, his voice carrying strongly. “It’s me you want.”

Morgath turns to him. “I wanted you,” she says. “But you refused to stay with Kaelith, and so my plans have fallen apart. But I’m not mad. Rowena is a better replacement.”

She claps her hand, and a shrine appears amid the chasm that divides the earth. There’s an altar on it.

“Enough with the words; let’s get right to action.” Morgath glances at me. “Prove your love for Riven,” she says. “Get on this altar and surrender your powers to me.”