Free The Midnight Star by Marie Lu Page B

chambers, to leave them here to whatever they want to do. But I also feel an overwhelming need to hurt the maiden. My pride pushes back.
You are the Kenettran queen. No one should force you to leave.
So instead, I lift my chin and wade into the water, letting the warmth envelop my body.
    At the sound of my approach, the maiden glances in my direction. Then she freezes as she recognizes me. I can tell that her gaze goes immediately to the scarred side of my face. A surge of fear comes from her, and I have to push down my desire to frighten her even more, to taunt her with my power. Instead, I just smile. She jumps to her feet and drops into a bow.
    â€œYour Majesty,” she calls out.
    At that, Magiano shifts slightly in my direction. He must have sensed my energy the instant I entered the hall, I realize—he must have known I was here. But he pretends to be surprised. “Your Majesty,” he says, echoing the maiden. “I’m sorry, I didn’t hear you enter.”
    I flick one hand at the maiden. She needs no second urging. She scurries off toward the closest door, not daring to bid Magiano farewell.
    Magiano watches her go, then turns to me. His gaze goes from my face to the water lapping around my bare shoulders.
    â€œDo you wish to bathe alone, Your Majesty?” he asks. He makes a move to get out, and as he does, he rises halfway out of the pool. Water runs down his taut stomach.
    I have never seen Magiano undressed before. My cheeks warm. I also notice, for the first time, his marking fully exposed. It’s a dark red patch that runs along the length of his side, where Sunland priests had so long ago tried to cut off his marking, an attempt to fix him. The first time I saw a glimpse of that old scar, it was the night we sat together by the campfire, when Violetta was still with me. I remember Magiano’s lips on mine, the silence surrounding the crackle of the fire.
    â€œStay,” I reply. “I could use some company.”
    Magiano smiles, but there is a certain wariness in his eyes. “Just
some
company?” he teases. “Or mine?”
    I shake my head once, trying to keep the smile off my own face as we both move to the edge of the pool. “Well,” I say. “You’re certainly better company than Teren.”
    â€œAnd how is our favorite madman doing?”
    â€œHe’s . . . not healing like he used to. There are chafes on his wrists that are constantly bleeding.”
    At that, Magiano’s carefree attitude shifts. “Are you sure?”
    â€œI saw it myself.”
    Magiano is silent, even though I know he’s thinking the same thing I am. Raffaele’s prediction for us all.
    â€œAnd how have you felt lately?” Magiano asks me quietly. “Your illusions?”
    The whispers in my head murmur amongst themselves.
We aren’t a weakness, Adelina. We are your strength. You shouldn’t resist us so much.
I look away and concentrate on the water lapping around us. “I’m fine,” I reply. “We will sail for Tamoura in a few weeks’ time, and as always, I want you at my side.”
    â€œInvading the great empire of Tamoura already,” Magiano replies. “Restless so soon? I’ve barely had the chance to unpack all of my possessions.”
    I can tell immediately that the lightness in his voice is not real. “You’re not excited. I thought the great Magiano would be intrigued by all the gold that the Sunlands hold.”
    â€œI
am
intrigued by it,” he says. “And, apparently, so are you. I only hesitate, my love, because of how soon it has been since we were in Dumor. Tamoura’s not a weak nation, even after losing their northern territory to you. They are an empire, with three kings and a strong navy. Are your men rested enough for another invasion?”
    â€œTamoura will be my crown jewel,” I reply. Then I frown at him. “You still pity Dumor, for what I