Unlikely Queen (Crystal Castle 1)

She licks her teeth, then stretches out next to me and turns her powdered face to stare directly into my eyes. “I will take what you have, as I have always done, and continue to rule. The more you fight, the more it will hurt you.” I can’t respond because I am still gagged, so she reaches up and removes the cloth, smiling. “Speak.”

“Why are you so evil?” I ask. “Did your parents torture you?” I know they didn’t. Tatiana told me her parents were amazing.

“No, some of us are just born hungrier than others. I will do anything to maintain my power, and that is something only the great queens know how to do.” Her blue eyes stare at mine, unblinking, and I want her to reach out and touch me so I can suck all the power from her body to make her helpless. So she has no choice but to surrender.

“I can see the fight in your eyes, taste it… almost.” She licks her lips. “But you see, those who want it more will succeed. It’s how the world works.” She goes to touch my dark hair, which has fallen on my face, but she holds off, her hand inches from me. My mind is screaming at her to touch me, just the slightest contact.

A single touch is all I need.

But she doesn’t.

She simply smiles.

“I’ve also heard about your ability, and I want it. So badly. It’s the only reason you aren’t already dead. You will stay alive until I can work out how I can take it from you. What a power to behold, to be able to steal someone else’s power.” Her eyes shine with glee as she stares down at me. What she doesn’t realize is that I only borrow it, but I don’t want her to know any of that. Giving her any more information than she already has won’t turn out well for me and even for her.

“Where is my sister?” I ask.

Her eyes glance away, and she looks up to the plain white ceiling above us.

“I almost killed her, but then…” she looks back to me and continues, “…I thought perhaps she could be useful.” I watch helplessly as she stands. She puffs her long, silver dress and smiles wickedly. “Don’t go anywhere now.” She strides over to Bronik, her hand going to his chest as she looks back over her shoulder at me. “He is quite attractive. I had a feeling you would listen to him. Most women do. They can’t resist his charms.” Her lips lean in and she kisses his cheek, sliding them over until she reaches the edge of his mouth, then bites the corner of his lip. “Delicious, really. I’ve had a taste and I am willing to share. For a price, of course.” I hear her cackle before the clack of her heels takes her away from me.

Hopefully far, far away.

Chapter Twenty-Three

I need to use the bathroom—that’s my first thought. My stomach is in so much pain, I’m afraid it’s going to burst from the pressure. It’s been hours. Hell, it could have been a day since she was in here last. There isn’t a window to show me what time of day it is, so I have no idea whether the sun has risen or fallen.

I hear footsteps, but no one comes in. I still don’t even know how I got here. My eyes were so heavy that it was hard to wake. And I don’t know if my sisters are okay. Patrick, John, and the other wolves either. A shiver runs through me as I begin to panic. No one can save me from this. The only person who can help me is me. And I’m afraid I am not strong enough.

I’m broken.

Helpless.

Maybe the prophecy meant someone else.

All this power shouldn’t be mine.

If I could give it away, I would.

Tatiana deserves it, she is the stronger sister. Being the oldest and the leader of our family, she should have it all.

Why me? The youngest child born to an earth witch, I don’t understand.

My stomach makes a loud noise and I know it’s from hunger, but that isn’t my main concern. My concern is my bladder. It’s so full, I’m think I might soil myself.

The door creaks, drawing my attention, then the queen with her cherry-red lips, as bright as her white teeth shine, enters with a sinister smile aimed right at me.

“I need to use the bathroom.”

She laughs, then raises an eyebrow.

The instant relief is like an orgasm I’ve been holding and keeping at bay. The warmth runs down my legs and I smile at the feeling of my stomach no longer hurting.

“See? Trash.” I glance over to see who she’s talking to and see Bronik standing next to her. His eyes shine on me, silver and vibrant, as they run the length of my body before looking back to the queen. She lifts a long, ruby-red nail and drags it across his cheek. “Whatever did you see in her anyway?”