Crown of Blood

JINX - Part II

Jazz stayed silent, watching Kat unimpressed. Jinx followed his example, straightening her spine and glaring at the queen.

Kat was not pleased. She lifted her hand and ice encased Jazz, squeezing around him. He didn't even flinch or try to fight back. Jinx spread her heat to his hand, letting it dance against his skin and melt the ice.

The queen's eyes turned to her and shards of ice exploded towards her. Most melted, but a few scraped her skin and she couldn't help but suck air through her teeth. She hadn't expected them to be that fast or sharp.

Jazz made to let go of her hand, most likely to retaliate, but she held on tightly and shook her head.

"We won't attack you," she said. "We're not stupid."

"Oh, but you are, if you believe you can leave here without answering my questions."

"I have a question for you," Jazz said. "Why do you think Lucille took your memories?"

The Endirian general tensed at this and turned to his queen, his eyes wide with both wonder and a sort of elation that bordered on worship. Jinx shuddered at it. She didn't know if Jazz was aware that Lucille was revered in Endir. All fairies were, but not as much as the one who had blessed them with her powers, with her rule. The one who created the advantage they needed to invade and nearly conquer Iride.

"That's..." Kat stuttered, but nothing else intelligible came out. Fear dashed across her face, and for a moment, she looked like the girl they knew again.

"You know it's true," Jazz insisted. "And she probably claimed she was helping you."

"She did help me. She made sure I could claim my heritage!"

"No one is denying your heritage, Kat," Jazz said, his voice low and tired. "You are obviously and rightfully the queen of Endir. And here's my next question. What are you going to do with it?"

"I will bring prosperity to my people," she said between her teeth.

"Now that's something that the Kat I know would say." Jazz bowed his head to her. "But do you think war will help you achieve that?"

A flicker of doubt crossed her face before she frowned. "You know as well as I do how greedy Iride is. How unfair."

"I believe you know by now that Fherras is dead," Jazz retaliated.

Jinx tightened her hold on his hand, but it was because of the nerves, not to keep him from talking. Kat would learn the truth in the end, and maybe this was their way to ensure that war would be avoided.

"So I've heard," she said.

"And I believe I am right to assume that the Steward is also dead?"

Jinx shuddered at the mention of that disgusting man. Her reaction drew Kat's attention to her and a flicker of recognition shone in her eyes. For the merest moment, the color in them shifted to a deeper blue, the one of the summer sky. Jinx gasped.

"He is no longer an issue," Kat said, but her attention remained on Jinx. "He wronged you."

Even those simple words sent a knot in Jinx's stomach. She had thought, hoped that the hold her trauma had on her had disappeared after such a long time. It annoyed her to no end that it still reared its ugly head.

"He didn't get to," she said. Her voice came out harsh and breathy. "I escaped before he could. But he intended it."

Kat nodded. "He will no longer be an issue." Her gaze was once again icy as she turned to Jazz next. "Where are you going with this?"