Marissa Holsteins's Arc

Chapter 9 of 10

The castle rose ahead, its towers hung with red and gold banners. Marissa clutched the fresh jar to her chest. The milk still glowed, but the color already dulled at the edges. She had made this batch to face the king on her own terms. Now she saw the gate, and the guards moving on the walls. "We don't have long," she told Angelica. "The magic dies while we stand here." She quickened her steps. They never reached the gate. Boots pounded the ground behind them. A blonde knight blocked their path, heart-shaped sword raised. Marissa knew her. Lilith had stood at this gate the first day, testing Marissa's milk before letting her pass. Now Lilith's eyes were cold. "Fugitives," she said. "The king wants you back." More guards closed in from both sides. Angelica drew her sword and stepped in front of Marissa. "You'll have to go through me, Lilith." The two knights had once served together. Now they faced each other as enemies. Lilith did not blink. "There are ten of us," she said. "Drop it." Angelica's grip tightened. Marissa touched her arm. "No," Marissa whispered. "Not like this. We fight, we lose the milk." Angelica held for one long breath. Then she lowered her blade. The guards took their weapons. They marched Marissa and Angelica through the gate, across a wide floor of colored tile, and into the throne room. King Blake Wilding rose from his seat. His red robe hung open over his chest. He smiled wide when he saw Marissa. "My runaway bride," he said. "You came back to me." Marissa lifted her chin. The jar still sat cradled in her arms. Its glow had faded further, but power lived in it yet. She had a choice. She could beg, or she could bargain. She stepped forward before the guards could stop her. "I didn't come as your prisoner," she said. "I came to offer you this. Fresh. At full strength. But only if you hear me." Blake's eyes dropped to the jar. Hunger crossed his face. He remembered the last cup. "You know I want more than one cup," he said. "I want you. Forever." Marissa held the jar higher. "The milk fades the moment it leaves me," she said. "You can't store it. You can't steal it. Cage me and it dies with my fear. You get nothing." She watched him weigh her words. Blake sat back down slowly. He waved the guards off. "Then we talk," he said. "Pour me a cup, and speak your terms." Marissa knelt and poured. The gold ran thin but bright. He drank. His whole body shook with the rush. "Yes," he breathed. "Yes." But before Marissa could speak her terms, a side door swung open. A curvy woman with white hair swept in on the king's arm, smiling. Marissa's stomach dropped. The witch Agatha had beaten her to the throne. And the king called her his wife.