Black Forest: Kingdoms Fall Read Free Page B

yearning for communion.
    Denying it as always she had, her own scars, hidden in secret places all over her body, ached in response.
    Dipping a finger into the crimson liquid, Queen Ino watched it gather toward the tip, as anxious to be a part of her as she was of it. Releasing Lemi to
    return to the mirror, the spell broke, and the queen's hand trembled as much as the servant's as she rubbed the substance into her cheeks, the color
    perfect on her skin, the sole reason Lemi had earned the position as her personal maid over other anxious applicants, and the only reason she remained in
    the job so many years later.
    Drawing more blood from Lemi's waiting hand, the queen rubbed it across her lips, red smile staring back at her from the looking glass. With casual regard,
    she pulled open the drawer at her dressing table and handed Lemi a handkerchief, watching the white fabric turn red in the woman's hand. "That is the last
    time I shall trust your cousin for my colors," Queen Ino turned the almost-kind gesture into threat. "Find someone whose shipments always come in."
    "Yes, Your Highness," Lemi returned, withholding tears, and Queen Ino walked past her to the door.
    "Are you in order?" King Kardon asked, turning around at the queen's hand on his back. "My, those colors do bring out your beauty."
    "Thank you, Darling," Queen Ino purred. "They always do."
    Hand tucked into the crook of her husband's arm, Queen Ino moved with him down the corridor, emerging at the railing above the grand hall, cheers greeting
    them from below. From her vantage point, looking down upon everyone, Queen Ino noted the kingdom's high citizens, and some of the lower upon whom the king
    took pity or owed favor.
    "Presenting Your Highnesses, King Kardon and Queen Ino," the page announced, and Queen Ino released her husband to walk down the curved staircase at one
    side of the hall as the king descended the other, meeting him again at the head of the table.
    It was always a show for the masses, an act of wealth and regality. All eyes upon her, Queen Ino felt a fright in the dress, but the eyes of the people
    showed only worship.
    "And, the guest of honor..." King Kardon turned to the balcony to introduce his daughter himself. "Princess Snow White Kardon."
    Eyes following the king's to the landing, Queen Ino watched Snow White appear, the kind of innocent beauty well-matched to the bright shade of the dress,
    where the queen felt her own clash so harshly against it. With uproarious applause, the villagers looked on Snow White with such adoration, Queen Ino could
    feel their affection as much as see it, and the king watched his daughter with open joy, seeing the two people whom he loved most in the world, his
    daughter and her dear, dead mother.
    Before the queen could turn again to try to see what they all saw in the girl, she was overtaken by embrace, arms gentle around her, because Snow White
    never had seemed to accept that they were not friends.
    Pressed back by small hands on her shoulders, Queen Ino felt strange in the world, suddenly unfitted to her surroundings. "You look as beautiful as I knew
    you would," Snow White smiled brightly, but Queen Ino could not see her.
    Where there was pink before her, she saw crimson, bright and vibrant. The color of blood. Blood everywhere. It filled the queen's senses, until she could
    hear it, feel it.
    "Are you all right?" Snow White asked, concern genuine on the girl's face.
    "My Darling?" King Kardon queried, and, feeling his hand on her elbow, the queen realized she was making a scene.
    "I am quite fine," she said, blinking the red from her vision, though she could not clear it from her mind. "You, My Love, are a sight to behold," she
    breathed, taking Snow White's cheeks in her hands and placing a kiss at the corner of the girl's mouth.
    It was always a show for the masses, as it was then. Lips pressed to Snow White's skin, Queen Ino fought the desire to reach for the dagger. Blood pounding
    to the surface,