Chapter 51
The doors to Languidere’s room slammed open, nearly shattering the mirrors beside them.
“I told you! Do not summon me again!” Mombi screamed, her wand pointed at Languidere, who sat admiring her own refastened head upon her shoulders.
The way she felt was electrifying—familiar in her own form, yet somehow more powerful, more intriguing.
“I know where Alice is,” Languidere said into the mirror, dabbing rouge on her clavicle. Mombi stopped in her tracks, her pruned old face frozen.
Languidere stood and slowly turned to the witch.
“My father once told me that you will do anything to keep the favor of Lord Roquat. Even though you hate him…” Languidere squinted at the witch’s stony glare.
“You hate him because… why, exactly? You fight for his attention?” Mombi’s eyes widened.
A chip had been made in her stone. “It must make you mad that Evoldo serves Roquat, and the queen is descended from him…”
“Spare me this, girl!” Mombi snapped. “Do you know how many witches descend from him? He’s nothing but a stray bull.”
Languidere smirked. She could see Mombi’s thoughts racing. The witch was exposed. Now to draw her in.
“Well…” Languidere cocked an eyebrow and strolled to her wardrobe, delighting in the captive audience of the witch.
“What would stop Evoldo from lying to you so that he may deliver Alice to him himself, to tarnish your reputation with Roquat? But… what if she was willing to go to him with you?” Unlocking the armoire, she took from it the lovely decorative hat box the Jin had made to keep her new headpiece and set it on the low table near Mombi.
The witch did not blink. She simply stared at Languidere.
“Oh, I see I need to spell it out for you! Bring Alice to me. I will take her head, and then you may bring me to Lord Roquat, and I will be his bride. And if you keep my favor, you will always have his. We could rule, you and I.” Languidere smiled.
The plan thrilled her so, but Mombi, stubborn old crow, still did not respond.
“Oh, fine! Look.” Languidere reached to her neck, unclasped the latch that locked the bands in place and lifted her head.
As she did, her eyes closed, and for the moment while she lifted it, her body had that weightless feeling of a carriage dropping over a ditch.
She replaced her head, latched it, and opened her eyes.
“You see! I can become whoever I need to be.”
“I see you have adapted the collar for further use.” Such high praise! Languidere nearly giggled. “The witch there that you have slain,” Mombi said, pointing to Nan’s head. “Do you keep her gift?”
Languidere smiled proudly. “When I put her head on, lurlicite shines like the sun on the sea. I remember her dreams. All her dreams! The dream where I am wearing the head of Alice on a throne of emeralds…The Emerald City!” Languidere stepped closer to Mombi.
“And, in my dream, you are by my side.” Sure, that part was a fib, but such a smart one to have come up with in the moment.
“Very well,” Mombi said, tilting up her chin. “Where is she?”
“You’ll love this.” Languidere flipped her hair. “Hiding in the Palace North with your dear sister, who just happens to be here tending to Rosemarie. So serendipitous!” Languidere giggled, as even Mombi began to smile. How delightful!
“You are dafter than I could have even imagined,” Mombi said, grinning, showing grey teeth.
“You are a stupid loon.” Mombi cackled. “I have no interest in serving Roquat, or anyone for that matter. And I certainly will not be giving him the power to get out of that rank cave of his!” Mombi drew her wand, which began to spark.
“Thank you for the information. That’s all I will be needing from you.” She spun her arm in a circle, the wand creating a fiery ring, forcing Languidere to step back as the witch stepped through and vanished.
Languidere stood for a moment with her mouth agape, then bile began to rise.
“You hag!” she screamed.