Crimson Rose Queen

(The Prison of Propriety)

Nurse Margaret laid out embroidery hoops. "The Queen must showcase her virtue."

I stabbed the fabric. "Like this?"

Thunk. The needle impaled a rosebud's heart.

(The Secret Visit)

Moonlight. The garden gate creaked open.

"You came." A woman's voice—low, urgent.

I turned.

There, veiled in jasmine shadows: Lady Cassandra Leohart. Sebastian's widowed aunt. The one the court called 'The White Viper'.

Her gloved hand brushed my cheek. "You've done well, little rose. But the game's just begun."

She pressed a note into my palm—

"Find the girl in the locket. Before the King does."