Red Queen (Red Queen, #1)

by Victoria Aveyard

But I still have to do my duty, to smile and shake their hands and thank them for their brave service. Each word tastes bitter, until I have to duck away from the crowd to an alcove half hidden by plants. The noise of the crowd still rises with the midday sun, but I can breathe again. For a second, at least. “Everything okay?” Cal stands over me, looking worried but strangely relaxed. He likes being around soldiers; I suppose it’s his natural habitat. Even though I want to disappear, my spine straightens. “I’m not a fan of beauty pageants.” He frowns. “Mare, they’re going to the front. I’d think you of all people would want to give them a proper send-off.” The laugh escapes me like gunfire. “What part of my life makes you think I’d care about these brats going off to war like it’s some kind of vacation?” “Just because they’ve chosen to go doesn’t make them any less brave.” “Well, I hope they enjoy their barracks and supplies and reprieves and all the things my brothers were never given.” I doubt these willing soldiers will ever want for so much as a button. Even though he looks like he wants to yell at me, Cal swallows the urge. Now that I know what his temper is capable of, I’m surprised he can keep himself in check at all. “This is the first completely Silver legion going into the trenches,” he says evenly. “They’re going to fight with the Reds, dressed as Reds, serving with Reds. The Lakelanders won’t know who they are when they get to the Choke. And when the bombs fall...