The Poisoned King (Impossible Creatures Book 2)

by Katherine Rundell

The court was watching her. She could feel their opinions burning against her skin. She whispered, “Please, Grandfather. Everyone’s looking.” “Of course they’re looking!” The king was becoming angry. She knew his anger. It was a cold beast. “You are a princess. A princess exists to be looked at. To be seen, and admired, and coveted, and envied, and adored. That is your job. To be watched. It is your only job. Do you understand that?” Anya’s flush rose up to her eyes, and she said nothing. “Argus?” Prince Claude turned to his older brother. “Can’t you control your child?” “Leave my girl be,” said her father sharply. “Father, have some wine.” But Anya turned to look at Claude—his face so much like her father’s, but leaner, sharper. “Control? Control me?” “Control you, yes. Disobedient children need to be controlled.” And then all the anger and futility she felt inside the castle exploded out of her, and she pulled back her head and spat at her uncle’s feet. The saliva lay, a wet insolence in a puddle on the floor. The whole court stared at it.