Orchid

I Meet the Queen

Talor looks sick. "My father never told me that I had a cousin." A fierce light burns in her eyes. "That means I've been living in a freakin world of lies." She smashes the plate of cookies down to the floor. I nervously watch the delicate porcelain shatter into pieces.

"Talor, please. don't tell anyone that I'm here--" I begin.

Talor laughs in anger. "Of course. That's why, right? Everyone living in ignorance and lies?" Her nose flares and her eyes are filled with rage. I recognize that sign. My family members do it when they're beyond the definition of angry, and a sense of unease settles over me.

"Please calm down, Talor-"

A light knock on the door and Nira pokes her head in, looking concerned and eyeing the remains of the plate and scattered crumbs. "Is everything OK, Talor and Jade?" She's a pretty good actor. She doesn't flinch at my fake name. Out of instinct, she reaches back to grab an arrow, sensing that there might be danger.

"Everything is fine, Nira," Talor says, her voice controlled and forced. "Thanks for checking on us. You may go and see if Kc is available."

Nira dips her head respectfully and curtsies. "Of course, milady." She steps out.

Talor seems to get over the shock, though her eyebrows still suggest she's angry. "Now what shall I tell the queen?" She eyes me as if I were a grand feast and she's hungry, but the cook pulled her back to tell her it was all poisonous. I can see the expression in her eyebrows. It is like mine.

I raise an arm lazily. What method should I use?

Oh yes. Take advantage of our connection. I just hope Talor has sympathy deep inside of her.

"Oh, sweet little cuz." I slur my words, like those drunk men do in those movies and try to make my eyes water so they look glassy. "I've never had a cousin. I'll be nice to you, so why don't you lie this case?" It's actually true. My other cousin from my mom's side died from a serious illness and I've never met that one's brother, who's in Florida or something. Sapphire married again, but she didn't have a child.

Talor looks appalled. "I never lie. My favorite quote, "We live in a world of dishonest people, so to make the world a better place, we will be honest with each other.""

I break out of my state. "Do you think Lycaeon told the truth to ascend to be who she is now?"

"Do not speak that name," Talor hisses, snatching my raised arm.

I continue, though. Talor is dangerously close to throttling me. "Well, do you?"

Talor hesitates. "No. She lied, destroyed, and killed her way up. She fought the old queen of Yin to the death to get her place. The old queen, according to the legends, was a fair and just ruler, unlike this tyrant."

"So you agree with me. Telling the truth and being like obedient Candors from Divergent won't help." I mock them. Divergent is my second-favorite book, but the words that the Candors adore is spoken in Insurgent, the second book. "Thank you for your honesty!" I squeak. I glare at Talor. Her elf world is too peaceful. Talor is fragile and her eyes are red-rimmed. I'm nearly shouting at her. I realize she has feelings, too. In the stories, elves were giddy with laughter and didn't know sadness or fury existed.

Talor hardens. "I will not believe in a world of sunshine anymore. We must rise and take action against that cursed queen instead of just sitting around here."

I soften just a little. "My cousin, just don't rise to be Lycaeon. A best mixture would be maybe 75% Light and 25% Darkness."

Talor seems not to hear me. "I must report to Kc at once." She marches out of the room, and I have no choice but to follow.