My fear replaced with anger, I snarl at her. “You know nothing about me. I took offense, not at the opportunity you provided me to do ‘real work’ as you call it, but at the lack of dignity and respect offered to me since I arrived. I didn’t expect you to lavish me with attention, but I did expect you to greet the Crown Prince of the kingdom who now provides you with the lion’s share of your revenue. And having me listen in on endless meetings about inconsequential topics isn’t ‘work’—it’s babysitting. So don’t pretend to be offended by my displeasure at being farmed out to your least important advisors to fill my days with meaningless activity.”

I’ve lost my temper, and now I can’t stop. The light in the room is blazing, the mist completely burned away by my magic. I let her get the upper hand initially, but I’m the closest equal she has across the Four Kingdoms, and she should be reminded of it. Lightning dances across the ceiling above her head, and spears of light rush past her, barely missing striking her, my aim perfect. The Queen’s eyes widen in shock, though she doesn’t move, only stares at me with what looks like awe written across her expression before she shuts her emotions away again. But I ignore it, too lost in the moment to pause and appreciate the turning of the tables.

“I’ve offered you information that might help prevent more death and injury of your people, and instead of negotiating for that information, you insult me.” I spit the last bit out, my voice a sneer. Something about this female gets under my skin. For added effect, I will bolts of lightning to arc out from my palms. Queen Laurel stares at me for a moment, eyes bright with an emotion I can’t place. I think she might be so angry she can’t speak, and I channel aether into the light and water around me, ready to put up whatever defenses I can against her imposing power.

Her laughter cuts through the thick air, surprising me so much I nearly send a dagger of light hurling toward her before I realize what the sound is. This laugh differs from the lifeless chuff I heard before, a melodious lilt that has me once again almost dropping to my knees, though this time for an entirely different reason. One that I need to bury deep within me so that I don’t examine it too closely and allow it to distract me from my purpose here. The sound is so at odds with the persona of the Witch Queen sitting before me, I don’t know what to think of it or of her.