The Dragon Kings' Forbidden Witch

She paused, seeming to gather her thoughts, to find the right words to explain what she wanted to say.

”Listen to me, child,” Agnes continued. ”Your position has changed. As the ward of the kings....do you understand what that truly means?”

Morgana shook her head.

”It means,” Agnes said carefully, ”that you are closer to the kings than any other person in this palace right now. Closer in proximity, yes, but also closer in access. Closer in their daily consideration. And to the noble daughters, this proximity makes you incredibly valuable.”

She squeezed Morgana’s hand gently.

”The noble daughters have spent weeks competing in the Selection, parading themselves before the kings, trying to capture their interest and attention. And from what I understand, they have been largely unsuccessful.”

Agnes’s voice took on a harder edge.

”And now there is a rumor, a rumor that the kings are considering ending the Selection altogether. That they have lost interest in the process. This rumor has made the noble daughters desperate, child. Desperate women do dangerous things.”

Morgana felt her stomach clench.

”The kings want to end the Selection?” she asked, her voice small.

Agnes nodded. ”That is what is being said, yes. Whether it is true or simply rumor, I cannot say. But the nobles believe it. And they are terrified of what it might mean if the kings have simply decided that none of them are suitable.”

She looked directly into Morgana’s eyes.

”And if the noble daughters believe that you might have influence over the kings’ decisions? If they believe that you might be able to convince them to continue the Selection, to give the nobles another chance? Then you become a target of their manipulation.”

Morgana processed this, her mind working through the implications.

”And the noble daughters think I can somehow influence the decision of the kings?” she asked incredulously. ”They think I have that much power?”

Agnes’s expression became very serious.

”They believe you can, my lady. Whether you truly can is another matter entirely. But belief is what drives action in the palace. Belief is what makes people do foolish things.”

Agnes released her hand and stood, moving to help her from the bed.

”But listen to me carefully,” the old maid said. ”You will attend this tea meeting.”

Morgana started to protest, but Agnes held up her hand.

”You will attend,” Agnes continued, ”because not attending would send the wrong message. Not attending would tell them that you are afraid of them. That you are beneath them. That they have power over you.”

She helped Morgana to her feet.

”And child, you are more than that. Do not let them make you forget it. The kings did not save you, did not claim you as their ward, because you are powerless. They saved you because they saw something special in you. Something worth protecting. Something worth having in their court.”

Agnes’s aged hand reached up and touched Morgana’s cheek gently.

”That places you above them, Morgana. Born noble or not. And you must show them that. You must go to this tea and show them that you are not afraid.”

Morgana straightened her shoulders.

Something in Agnes’s words resonated within her, awakening the part of her that had survived the trial.

”I never planned not to attend, Agnes,” she said quietly. ”I will attend the tea.”

She paused, then continued, her voice becoming harder: ”And I will attend to see what trick they want to play. I will attend to understand what they want from me. I fell into their trap once before. I will not do it again.”

Agnes’s expression shifted to something that looked almost like pride.

”Good, child,” the old maid said. ”Good. But you must listen to me very carefully now, because what I am about to tell you is vital to your safety.”

She took both of Morgana’s hands, holding them firmly.

”Do not take anything from them. Nothing. Not food, not drink, not gifts, not flowers, not jewelry. Nothing that originates with them. Do you understand me? Refuse everything politely, but refuse absolutely.”

Morgana nodded, understanding the severity of the warning.

But then Agnes continued, and her voice became even more intense.

”And most especially...most especially, child, be cautious of Lady Rose.”

Morgana’s eyes narrowed. She did not know which of the noble daughters was Rose, but the name meant something to Agnes. The old maid’s intensity made that clear.

”Do not let her touch you,” Agnes continued. ”Do not accept anything from her. Do not even stand too close to her. And if she offers you anything...anything at all, refuse. Refuse with every fiber of your being.”

”Why?” Morgana asked. ”What makes Lady Rose different from the other noble daughters?”

Agnes was quiet for a long moment. When she spoke again, her voice was very low, very careful.

”Lady Rose appears to be the quietest of the noble daughters. The least noticed. The one who sits in corners and says very little. You might think her harmless.”

Agnes paused, letting that description settle.

”But child, the quietest predators are often the most dangerous. Lady Rose’s family.... House Nightshade, is known throughout the kingdom, though few speak of it openly. They are notorious for one specific thing.”

Agnes’s grip on Morgana’s hands tightened.

”They are masters of poison craft. It is their gift and their legacy. For generations, the House of Nightshade has created poisons so subtle, so carefully crafted, that they cannot be detected. Poisons that act slowly, poisons that mimic disease, poisons that leave no evidence.”

Morgana felt her blood go cold.

”You’re saying she will try to poison me?” she whispered.

Agnes’s response was careful and measured.

”I am not saying she will poison you. I am not saying she will not. I am saying that she is capable of it. I am saying that her family has the knowledge and the skill to do so without detection. And I am saying that if the noble daughters are desperate enough, if they believe you have enough influence over the kings’ decisions, then they might be willing to take desperate measures.”