The Queen of Attolia (The Queen's Thief #2)

by Megan Whalen Turner

What a wonderful tool you are, one that cannot be turned against your mistress.” She bent over him, reaching for him with both hands. He shuddered at her touch, but she only cupped his face in her hands and looked into his eyes. “Your queen thinks she is safe sending you to me because I cannot use you against her. I think I can.

“What would I have done,” Eddis repeated in a low voice, more anguished than her shouting, “what would I have done if she’d caught you and cut you to pieces and sent the pieces back to me?” “Buried them,” said Eugenides.

“Go away,” he said. Eddis sighed. “Eugenides,” she said, “wake up.” “I would have expected a light sleeper,” Attolia commented. “Usually he is,” Eddis said, growing more concerned. “He looks—” Attolia hunted for the word. “Defenseless” came to mind, but it wasn’t the one she wanted, nor was “young,” though he looked even younger when he was asleep. “Quite guileless,” she said at last. “Oh, yes,” said Eddis. “I’m always willing to forgive him anything—until he wakes up.” She leaned down and poked him again.