Queen Rising Read Free Page A

nothing was impossible. If she was being honest with herself, the feeling was even better than Go’s arms.
    And so it was. Out of all that pain Margot had experienced, something good had come after all. She looked at her hands as if they were brand-new. They had been powerless for so very long. But now this.

6
    Before Margot knew it, a month had flown by. It was time to visit Go, and she was determined not to break her promise.
    â€œLeaving us so soon?” the Witch of the Woods commented when Margot started to climb the stairs up the tree.
    â€œI’m going to see my brother. I will stay with you and I will learn from you. But I will never forget my brother,” Margot said with determination.
    â€œVery well. But know that holding on to human things may keep you from ever becoming one of us.”
    Margot heard the words, but there were some sacrifices that she was not willing to make. With a nod, she continued up the stairs.
    Margot was surprised that she remembered the way back to the palace. She was grateful when she saw its white spire towering over the treetops. When she arrived, the guard gave her a pitying look before allowing her inside.
    She was led to a large anteroom for visitors.
    After a few minutes, Go finally appeared. He was holding hands with a maid who looked like she was barely old enough to hold the position. The girl was petite and smiling, in contrast to the hulking somber guards. Margot felt a rush of jealousy for that maid and her hand. Her own palm twitched as she remembered how it felt to have Go’s tiny hand in hers. But just then his face lit up as he found hers. He dropped the maid’s hand and they ran to each other as if an eternity had passed instead of just a month.
    When she broke the hug, she noticed that the maid was gone. Margot pushed her brother away from her, holding him still at arm’s length. He sighed with annoyance but did not squirm away from her. He was happy to see her, too. He stood more upright than she had ever seen him.
    â€œYou’re taller. Tell me everything,” she insisted. “Tell me what the Prince is like.”
    â€œIt’s like he’s never had a friend before. He’s very odd.”
    â€œWell, you can be his friend,” Margot said gently.
    It was hard getting the words out. Some part of Margot hated that Go had been bought to be a companion to Prince Lazar. She wanted to tell him that he did not have to like him. But she also wanted things to get easier for him. She didn’t want to know what would happen to him if he was seen as an unfit friend for the future king. Still another part of her wanted to know what it was about the Prince that kept him from other children. He was rarely seen.
    â€œI bet he’s just really lonely and doesn’t know how to make friends. Maybe you can teach him.”
    She knew her little brother. She knew that what he liked most was to be helpful.
    â€œI can try,” Go said finally.
    â€œGood boy,” she said with a hair ruffle.
    â€œIs it okay, where you are?” he asked finally.
    She wasn’t sure how to answer. She didn’t want him to think that she didn’t miss him. She didn’t want him to know that her new life was filled with magic and wonder. Not yet. Not when he was so sad.
    â€œIt’s fine. It’s better than fine. I live in a tree house filled with witches.”
    Go didn’t blink. He knew about witches. And he thought they were the best things in the world.
    â€œ Are the witches scary?” he asked, his eyes widening as he waited for her answer.
    â€œVery,” she said dramatically. But thinking of Ora, she added, “But they are kind, too.”
    Go frowned, suddenly remembering something.
    â€œWhat is it?” Margot whispered, concerned.
    â€œShe’s not coming back, is she?”
    Margot’s gut sank. He was asking about their mother. She couldn’t lie. And she couldn’t pretend not to be