Reign of Shadows - Deborah Chester [120]
Elandra began to tremble. It was not what she wanted. All the glory in the world could not make up for the risk. For Bixia, so vain and spoiled and pretty, it had been ideal. Bixia was shallow enough to smile and flutter and flirt. She would despise him secretly and dream of lovers. She would be ruthless and capricious and grasping. Bixia could survive such a life, even thrive on it.
But Elandra was not made like her sister. Elandra wanted a man she could respect and honor. She had never asked for much in her life, and now overwhelming bounty was being showered on her. While a part of her was dazzled by the thought of sitting next to the most powerful man on earth—a man some claimed was almost a god himself—the rest of her was afraid. She had not been made to lie and pretend. He would hate her on sight, and she would die.
The Magria gazed at her as though she could read Elandra’s mind. “No,” she said softly. “Do not decide before you fully understand. You were prepared to enter a marriage of convenience based on our selection and your father’s agreement. How is this any different?”
Elandra opened her mouth, but she had no reply.
“We offer you a marriage of tremendous consequence. Do you really wish to refuse this chance to be queen?”
“He has seen Bixia’s portrait,” Elandra said, digging into hurts that lay deep. “He chose her willingly for her beauty. I do not have any allure for men, like Bixia does. I never have.”
“You will be trained in the arts of pleasing a man.”
Heat flamed in Elandra’s face. To hide her own embarrassment she grew angry. “Will I learn to cast a spell over him?”
“Silence!” the Magria said sharply, eyes blazing. “You fool!”
Abashed, Elandra dropped her gaze and stood quietly, her heart pounding beneath her breast.
“Were not so much at stake, I would fling you out— both of you! Foolish, impertinent girl, mouthing off beyond your limited comprehension. You have no choice here. None!”
Glaring at Elandra, the Magria finally seemed to pull herself back under steely control. “Fear and emotional upheaval have made your tongue unruly,” she said at last. “For that I will forgive this display. But only once. Am I clear?”
“Yes,” Elandra whispered, still looking at the floor.
“There is opportunity for you beyond your wildest dreams. You wanted to see the world, and you will. You wanted knowledge, and you will have it. You wanted love, and it will come. Put your fear aside.”
She turned away, gesturing for Elandra to come with her, but Elandra hesitated, gazing down at her weeping sister.
“What happens to Bixia?” she asked.
“That remains to be seen. Come.”
“No,” Elandra said, then tried to temper her discourtesy. “I—I mean, yes, of course I will come, but first please let me have a moment with her, alone. There is so much to consider.”
The Magria’s expression revealed nothing, but after a moment’s hesitation she acquiesced. “Very well. It will avail nothing, but you may have the time you request. A sister will be waiting outside to conduct you to my chambers when you are ready.”
She glided away without a sound and vanished into the gloom.
In the flickering candlelight, Elandra knelt beside Bixia and tried to put her arms around her.
But Bixia jerked away. “No!” she said, flinging back her hair. Her green eyes were puffy with tears. Wildly she glared at Elandra. “You want me to tell you I’m happy for you? You want me to forgive you for what you’ve stolen from me?”
Elandra sighed. “I just want—”
“I won’t forgive you! And someday I’ll make you regret the way you have betrayed me.”
“But I—”
“Don’t play innocent with me. You’ve planned this from the first. You and your special prophecies. How you must have laughed when you ripped apart my bridal robe. How you must have gloated when the soldiers cheered you. How you must be enjoying yourself now, at my expense.”
“No, you’re wrong,” Elandra said in dismay. She had known Bixia would take everything