The queen was standing beside Damien in the entryway of the palace, and she looked quite focused as she explained something to him in low tones, her face pinched. "Do not forget what I have told you," she said.
"Of course." Damien's brow furrowed. "But you cannot forget what the council has told you."
"Oh, I will not. How could I?" Queen Anne's voice was icy. "I will punish them when the time is right. Who do they think they are, substituting their judgment for mine? I will remind them who rules here. Mark my words."
Alex and Vienna approached, and the queen cleared her throat. She relaxed her features, all the better to examine Vienna. "An interesting choice of a dress." The queen's gaze swept over her. "Peach, hmm. It is the color of virgins and youth. How appropriate."
Vienna looked
