Three Dark Crowns Read Free

says, and sighs. “She loved those dusty books in the library too. And she always seemed so young. She was so young. She only ruledfor sixteen years after she was crowned. The Goddess sent her triplets early.”
    Queen Camille’s triplets were sent early because she was weak. That is what the people whisper. Katharine wonders sometimes how long she will have. How many years she will guide her people, before the Goddess sees fit to replace her. She supposes that the Arrons do not care. The Black Council rules the island in the interim, and as long as she is crowned, they will still control it.
    â€œCamille was like a little sister to me, I suppose,” Natalia says.
    â€œDoes that make me your niece?”
    Natalia grips her chin.
    â€œDo not be so sentimental,” she says, and lets Katharine go. “For seeming so young, Camille killed her sisters with poise. She was always a very good poisoner. Her gift showed early.”
    Katharine frowns. One of her own triplets had showed an early gift as well. Mirabella. The great elemental.
    â€œI will kill my sisters just as easily, Natalia,” Katharine says. “I promise. Though perhaps when I am finished, they will not look like they are sleeping.”
    The north ballroom is filled to the brim with poisoners. It seems that anyone with any claim to Arron blood, and many other poisoners from Prynn besides, has made the journey to Indrid Down. Katharine studies the party from the top of the main stairs. Everything is crystal and silver and gems, right down toglistening towers of purple belladonna berries wrapped in nets of spun sugar.
    The guests are almost too refined; the women in black pearls and black diamond chokers, the men in their black silk ties. And they have too much flesh on their bones. Too much strength in their arms. They will judge her and find her lacking. They will laugh.
    As she watches, a woman with dark red hair throws her head back. For a moment her molars—as well her throat, as if her jaw has come unhinged—are visible. In Katharine’s ears polite chatter turns to wails, and the ballroom is filled with glittering monsters.
    â€œI cannot do this, Giselle,” she whispers, and the maid stops straightening the gown’s voluminous skirts and grasps her shoulders from behind.
    â€œYes you can,” she says.
    â€œThere are more stairs than there were before.”
    â€œThere are not,” Giselle says, and laughs. “Queen Katharine. You will be perfect.”
    In the ballroom below, the music stops. Natalia has put up her hand.
    â€œYou’re ready,” Giselle says, and checks the fall of the dress one more time.
    â€œThank you all,” Natalia says to her guests in her deep, rolling voice, “for being with us tonight on such an important date. An important date in any year. But this year is more important than most. This year our Katharine is sixteen!” The guestsapplaud. “And when the spring comes, and it is the time for the Beltane Festival, it will be more than just a festival. It will be the beginning of the Year of Ascension. During Beltane, the island will see the strength of the poisoners during the Quickening Ceremony! And after Beltane is over, we will have the pleasure of watching our queen deliciously poison her sisters.”
    Natalia gestures toward the stairs.
    â€œThis year’s festival to begin, and next year’s festival for the crown.” More applause. Laughter and shouts of agreement. They think it will be so easy. One year to poison two queens. A strong queen could do it in a month, but Katharine is not strong.
    â€œFor tonight, however,” Natalia says, “you simply get to enjoy her company.”
    Natalia turns toward the steep, burgundy-carpeted stairs. A shining black runner has been added for the occasion. Or perhaps just to make Katharine slip.
    â€œThis dress is heavier than it looked in my closet,” Katharine says quietly,