EPILOGUE #2
“But now she’s family family,” Kaine said. He beamed at me. “You’ll have to come visit us soon.”
It gave me a strange feeling. I wasn’t entirely sure what I’d gotten myself into. “Wait, visit you? Are you leaving already?” I asked, disappointed.
“I was enjoying the vacation, but Ysabel says we have important political nonsense back home.”
Ysabel sighed. “We left abruptly. The court will be in disarray without me. Give me some time to set my affairs in order, and then I’ll be able to take time off for a longer visit. We’ll definitely come to visit after our child is born.” She touched her stomach.
“I can’t wait,” I said, smiling at the thought of my future nibling.
Ysabel said, “We’ll stay for one last dinner. I’ve already arranged a feast.”
Come dinnertime, Ysabel was true to her word. She’d arranged for a fancy fountain of cheese and another, chocolate fountain for an elaborate fondue. We enjoyed dinner in a private dining room: just me, Araceli, Antonia, Ysabel, Kaine, Alzira, and Donya.
After the meal, Kaine pulled Araceli aside, offering political tips from an experienced ruler to a new one.
Most of his advice seemed to involve beating up people.
I was fairly certain that Araceli was only politely nodding along.
He also showed off a few fighting moves.
Araceli paid more eager attention to those.
Ysabel dragged the rest of us into a game of cards. “I learned a new game in Conollia called Last Dragon. It’s a variant of Bluffer. The goal is to avoid being stuck with the dragon in the end. I’ll teach you how to play; it’s loads of fun.”
Donya nodded. “I’ve played a few times with Ysabel. She always wins, but I’ll beat her next time.”
“Can I play?” Antonia asked.
“We’ll need you,” Ysabel said. “The game requires four people, and I can’t play with Alzira because she always takes the dragon and loses. I don’t mean by accident. She does it on purpose.”
“It’s my duty to ensure your victory under any circumstances, Your Holiness,” Alzira said.
Ysabel sighed. “It doesn’t make for a very fun card game if you deliberately lose to me. That’s why I’ll let you play on my team. We can share the same set of cards. Come on, stand behind me to look.”
“I’m honored, Your Holiness,” Alzira said.
As Ysabel dealt the cards, I noticed a flash of a card vanishing up her sleeve. I snorted and grabbed it, too fast for her to stop me. It was a dragon. “Sis, ditch the extra cards. Play fair.”
“Her Holiness would never cheat!” Alzira cried. “It’s part of the game for her to keep an extra dragon up her sleeve. That’s why she always does it.”
Ysabel winced. “Alzira, don’t incriminate me.”
“I’m sorry, Your Holiness.”
Donya rolled her eyes. “Is this why I keep losing to you? I should have known. Roll up your sleeves, Ysabel.”
Hanging her head, Ysabel rolled up her dress sleeves. Three more cards fell out.
Donya inclined her head at me. “Want to team up to beat her?”
I nodded. “Yes, absolutely.”
Antonia raised her hand. “I want to be on the same side as Bora, too. She’s amazing, and she knows how to win.”
Ysabel pouted. “That’s not fair.”
Donya snorted. “Don’t talk about fair when you always cheat. It’s the only way we can beat you. Besides, you have Alzira on your side.”
Alzira nodded. “That’s right! Her Holiness and I together are unstoppable. Even though Her Holiness currently has the real dragon in her hand, we won’t lose with such a small handicap.”
Ysabel sighed. “I told you to stop incriminating me.”
With Alzira’s facial expressions completely giving her away, the three of us effortlessly beat my sister into the ground.
She tried to cheat a couple times, but I was good at catching her.
I had to admit it was satisfying, given how often she used to beat me at games as a child.
I now realized she’d probably been cheating back then, too.
Donya and I bumped fists. “You’re good. You’re like a less-evil version of your sister,” Donya said, though there was a fond edge in her voice as she glanced at Ysabel. “I’ve been avenged. Thank you.”
“I couldn’t have beaten the evil queen without you.” I beamed.
“Was I useful?” Antonia asked hopefully.
I ruffled her hair. “You tricked my sister into taking the dragon twice. Far more experienced monarchs haven’t been able to pull one over on the Holy Maiden. Be proud of yourself.”
“I’ll get all of you next time.” Ysabel counted up the points. “The final winner is Bora. What a coincidence! I have a prize for you.” She grinned and tugged my arm. “Step outside with me. I need to have a word in private.”
I followed my sister. We seemed to be going toward her guest bedroom. I’d finally started to get the hang of this labyrinth of a palace. “What did you want to talk to me about? Do you have political tips for me, too?”
Ysabel shook her head. “You’ll do fine without me.
I saw how you handled that snooty nobleman at the coronation.
You’ve grown up, baby sister.” She slapped my back.
“That’s why I prepared a grown-up prize.
I custom-ordered it just for you. Believe it or not, I was going to cheat to let you win, but you kicked my ass without me needing to. ”
“Oh? What is it?” I was becoming curious.
As she pushed open her bedroom door, she smiled mysteriously. “That’s a secret—” Her eyes fell on my ankle, noticing the bandage there. “How did you hurt yourself? Who do I need to murder?”
I grinned and plopped down on a chair. “No one. I got a tattoo.” I tugged down my sock and peeled back the bandage to show her. “Do you like it?”
“I love it!” Ysabel clapped her hands. “Elegant and stylish. Mom is going to faint. Please let me watch through a linked book when you show it to her.”
“Crap, I don’t know how I’m going to explain my new position to our parents.
” I’d already written to Benoni to tell him and apologize for my earlier lies.
I couldn’t let my own little brother find out from the news circulating around the kingdom.
My parents were more difficult, because I couldn’t count on them to be happy for me.
Dad would inevitably show up looking for money.
Ysabel snorted. “To be honest, I don’t understand why you still talk to either of them.” She hesitated. “Sorry if that was too blunt. It’s your choice.”
“Don’t be sorry. You’re right. Maybe it would be funnier if everyone back home found out through the town crier.
I have guards now to keep people away. If our father tries to borrow money, I don’t even have to look at his face.
Communications with Mom can travel through a linked book.
If she comments on my appearance, I shut the book. ”
“That’s my daringly villainous sister. I’m even more certain you’ll enjoy my gift.”
“Don’t keep me in suspense. What is it?”
Ysabel went to the dresser, removed a black leather box fastened with a padlock, and handed me a key. “Guard this carefully. I want you to know that all of these are new. I ordered them to be made shortly after I came to the city. Some things, even sisters shouldn’t share.”
Now she really had me wondering. I started to put the key into the lock.
Ysabel grabbed my wrist. “No! Not here. Open them with your lover.” She waggled her eyebrows.
“Ugh, you’re driving me insane with curiosity.”
Ysabel pushed me out the door. “Go back to your room first. No need to return to thank me when you see them. I know you’ll be otherwise occupied for quite a while.”
“Fine, be mysterious.” I laughed and let her shove me down the hallway.
Once back in my bedroom, I locked the door and barricaded it with a chair. I would not tolerate any interruptions this time. Ari already waited for me, sitting on the bed. He’d changed into male sleepwear.
“Ari?” I asked, just to be sure. I had a strong feeling, though. Not only the clothing, but also his posture and aura was different.
He nodded. “Your sister whispered something about a present for us if I met you here.”
I gestured at the box. “She’s been very mysterious about it. You hold the box, and I’ll open it.” I inserted the key and pulled back the lid. WHAT?!
The box contained several dildos of different sizes, a butt plug, padded handcuffs, and a blindfold. Oh dear. I knew my own sister—so I should have seen this coming. My mind went largely blank, only sororicide remaining. “I’m going to kill her.”
“Why, what is it?” Before I could stop him, Ari turned the box around and looked. “Oh. What is this stuff?” He picked up a harness with a dildo attached.
I winced. “I believe that’s, uh … something for me to use on you. Hypothetically speaking.”
“You’re right. It came with instructions.” Ari picked up the card. “How intriguing. Look, she included numerous sheathes and those new thinner condoms.”
From the heat on my face, I knew I’d turned bright red.
“She’s dead. I’m going to become the oldest surviving child in our family the next time I see her.
She won’t resist; she knows she has her murder coming.
I saw that smirk on her lips. She even told me to open it with you!
” Really, I already knew that Ysabel was shameless.
I felt angrier at myself for not having the foresight to open the box alone.
My outrage covered up a certain level of interest. I’d never seen such fancy toys before.
Ari grinned. “Actually, I think it was quite a thoughtful present. I find this rather intriguing.” He held up the harness.
“Oh? Do you want to try it?” My voice squeaked. I was embarrassed to admit how much the idea interested me too.
“Another time, absolutely.” Ari smiled in a toothy way. “But tonight I’m feeling a bit more dominant.”
While I was trying to think of a calm, reasonable, charming response, a moan escaped my lips.
Ari’s pupils dilated. He reached up to tuck a lock of hair behind my ear. Leaning close, he whispered, “I’d like to try the handcuffs.”