“You promised to give yourself to us, and now we have become the most important pieces in your life,” I say, gesturing at the board. “But you may not realize that by accepting your life in our hands, we made a promise, too—to protect you at all costs, because you are ours.” She draws in a long breath, her chest shuddering as I reach out for her hand and turn it palm up. “To uphold that promise, we will destroy anyone who stands between us.” I set the queen in her hand, curling her fingers around it. “Because the queen is the most powerful of all.”
