THE QUEEN’S FINAL DEAL
A Door No Daughter Should Open
The Queen’s private chambers, high tower, Fresh Meadows Citadel
Ceres stormed down the golden-lit hallway, her footsteps echoing off marble with every fury-fueled step. The guards flanking the Queen’s tower bowed in recognition, but she didn’t slow. Her breath was sharp, fists clenched.
“Let me through,” she barked.
“Princess, Her Majesty gave strict orders not to be disturbed—”
Ceres’s eyes flashed silver. “I’m not asking.”
She flung the double doors open.
The queen sat by the window, sipping rose tea like a ghost carved from marble. Her lavender robes flowed like mist, her crown abandoned on the side table. She didn’t look surprised to see her daughter, only... resigned.
“I was wondering when you’d come,” she said softly.
“You lied to me.” Ceres’s voice trembled. “About everything. About Cairos. About Xavier. How long were you going to keep this secret?”
The queen’s teacup paused mid-air. “Sit down.”
“I’m not sitting.”
“I said, s
