Crown of Twelve by R.L. Perez

Author:R.L. Perez
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781955035460
Publisher: R.L. Perez

Nine

“This isn’t possible,” Adira breathed, her face bone-white as she stared in horror at the woman who had once been her mother. The woman had died seven years ago from the sleeping sickness that had plagued the kingdom. Those who caught the illness had fallen into a deep sleep that eventually claimed their life.

The kingdom had lost thousands to the sickness.

King Reginald and his daughters had been with Rosalina during her final moments. They had seen her cross the veil.

She had died. So how was this possible? How was she standing here before this crowd, addressing them as if she were the rightful monarch of whatever kingdom we had wound up in?

Could this be a changeling—someone pretending to be queen Rosalina?

“My people!” Rosalina called, raising her hands to quiet the cheering crowd. “Thank you for your kind welcome. On this festive occasion, I am overjoyed to announce that my daughters have returned to me at last!”

More cheers erupted in the ballroom, and Adira began shaking beside me. When the crowd silenced once more, Rosalina continued, “It has been a long, hard journey to bring them here, but now, I assure you, they are here to stay. They are finally ready to dance for you!”

The fae around us continued cheering, and I exchanged a stricken look with Adira. What in the burning hells was going on here?

“In our court, we have long revered the art of dancing,” Rosalina went on. “I am touched that my daughters have chosen to honor our traditions by learning the Dance of the Dreamers. I present to you, my dearest children, the eleven princesses of the Court of Dreams: Beatrice, Cleo, Delilah, Eleanor, Fiona, Genevieve, Henrietta, Irene, Juliette, Katrina, and Laurel!”

The fae clapped enthusiastically, and I craned my neck to see over their heads. Rosalina backed away, disappearing amongst the crowd, as eleven figures, some tall and others petite, took her place. Adira made a strangled sound beside me, now clutching my arm with both her hands.

There they were—all eleven of her sisters.

Including the triplets, Juliette, Kat, and Laurel.

“Skies above,” I murmured, feeling lightheaded. This was too much.

The princesses were here. But there were rows of guards stationed around the perimeter of the ballroom.

We were outnumbered.

And Queen Rosalina was alive.

From the other side of the ballroom, a sweeping symphony began to play. The melody was alluring and haunting all at once, filling the air and making my ears tingle. From within my chest, power swelled and coiled, like an answering harmony to the tune. I found my feet moving, inching me closer to the sound, as warmth and wonder consumed my mind.

“Marek,” Adira hissed, tugging on my arm.

I blinked, snapping out of the daze… only to find one arm outstretched as if I, too, were part of the dance. I hastily dropped my arm, my face on fire. What the bloody hell?

“The music,” Adira said, her eyes widening.

The melody flowed through me once more, trying to capture me. Gods, she was right. The music was enchanted.

“Cover your ears,” Adira ordered.

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