Kendare, Blake - Three Dark Crowns 03 - Two Dark Reigns by Kendare Blake

Author:Kendare, Blake [Kendare, Blake]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: HarperCollins
Published: 2018-06-28T00:00:00+00:00

THE MAINLAND

Mirabella and Arsinoe sit together at a table in a quiet tearoom. It is not the most popular establishment in the city—the biscuits are dry and there are stains on the tablecloth—but at least they have some privacy and do not have to be seated in some dark corner because Arsinoe still refuses to wear dresses.

Since their encounter with Queen Illiann’s shadow in the graveyard, they have had to find places besides the Chatworth house to talk. Billy’s mother has been pushed to her limit, and on any day may try to put them out on the street.

“I want to seek more low magic,” Arsinoe says, but Mirabella shakes her head and rubs the scab on her forearm.

“No more. She wants us to go back to the island. More low magic will only make her stronger.”

“You don’t know that; you’re just afraid. And so am I. But I can’t take much more of these dreams. Every time I close my eyes, I’m someone else. I’m Daphne. And I’m tired.”

“You are curious,” says Mirabella. “I see you, Arsinoe. You are more and more drawn into the dreams. Her bait is working.” The door to the shop opens, and Arsinoe glances toward the entrance. A woman and her two small children have come inside. Two little girls, holding hands and pointing at which biscuits they would like on the display.

“After this is over, I would like to become a teacher,” Mirabella says. “I like children. Though I have had little interaction with them.”

“Why would you?” Arsinoe asks crossly. “Queens whelp babies, but we don’t raise them.”

“Do not say ‘whelp.’” Mirabella frowns. “You know I hate it when you say ‘whelp.’”

“Whelp, that’s not my problem.” Arsinoe crunches through a biscuit, slouched down so far that crumbs are able to fall directly into her collar. “Though if you become a teacher, what would I do?”

“You could do the same.”

“I’d be a terrible teacher.”

“Only at first.”

Arsinoe studies the children, so well-behaved, their brown hair in ringlets. “I’d rather make clothes or work in a pub. I’m no use in a kitchen, but I can sew, a little. Ellis taught me how. And Luke.”

Mirabella looks down at her hands. “If you do the low magic again, I am afraid of what will happen. I am afraid we will lose all this.”

“All what?”

“Our lives. This future.”

Arsinoe sees the way her sister looks at the children. With a kind of hopeful despair. The way someone looks at something they can never possibly have.

“What if there’s something wrong on the island?” Arsinoe asks.

“Then let them sort it out. As they tried to sort us out. As they would again, the moment we set foot back in that place.”

Arsinoe sighs.

“I have to find a way to stop the dreams,” she whispers. “Or solve them. I have to, or they will drive me mad. But after that,” she reaches across the table and takes Mirabella’s hand. “There will be time. We can have a future here, I promise.”

Mirabella does not respond, and Arsinoe leans back and slides down into her chair.

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