Queen Rising Read Online Free

who wielded one of her branches while Margot defended with a real sword.
    She pushed Cassia back, finally knocking her off her roots and onto the ground outside the Hollow.
    â€œBetter,” the Witch of the Woods said getting back on her roots. “Next time we try it again without the vials.”
    â€œI can’t, Cassia,” Margot protested. She had swallowed a potion that had given her the strength to rival Cassia. Without it, Margot wouldn’t stand a chance.
    â€œPerhaps I introduced the secrets of vial magic too soon,” the Witch of the Woods said. “You need to call on your inner strength. The Fire Witch was right.”
    â€œI can do this.” Margot raised her arms in victory.
    The Witch of the Woods’s twiggy brows knitted together. “Show me your arms, Margot,” she said pointedly.
    Margot crossed her arms over her chest protectively.
    Reaching out with one of her branches, the witch unfastened Margot’s dress with one swift move. The garment fell to the floor, revealing tiny cuts Margot had made over almost every inch of her body.
    â€œYou are hurting yourself and using the pain and power of blood to amplify your magic,” the Witch of the Woods accused with a stern look.
    Margot attempted to cover herself up. “Why does it matter how I get my magic, as long as I get it?”
    â€œOh my child, you will bleed yourself dry . . .”
    The witch laid a branch on each of Margot’s shoulders. Sap began to pour out of them, covering Margot’s scars. The sap stung as it poured into every wound.
    Margot’s eyes burned, too. She let out a small moan and looked down, through the amber viscous liquid. She could see each tiny red slice on her body disappear. The witch was healing her.
    When the sap fell away, Margot’s skin was as smooth and unblemished as a newborn’s. Margot reached to the ground to get her dress, but the witch stuck out a branch, stopping her with another quick move. She fished Margot’s dagger out of the dress pocket.
    Margot felt her stomach drop. In all her years at the Hollow she had never been punished by the witches.
    â€œNo more sacrifices, Margot.”
    â€œI am sorry, Witch of the Woods. It’s just . . . I know I went too far . . . but I need this magic.”
    The Witch of the Woods’s lips were set in a firm line. “I can’t get Ora to mar one inch of that alabaster skin of hers, but you? I think it is time for you to find another way. Another place. A home with less temptation . . .”
    â€œNo,” Margot pleaded.
    She realized instantly that the Witch of the Woods was about to cast her out of the Hollow. Where would she go?
    â€œThere are better ways you can carve out a life for yourself—a good life,” the Witch of the Woods said.
    â€œLike the girls reading palms in the square?” Margot bit back bitterly. “That’s what you see for me?”
    The Witch of the Woods reached out a branch and affectionately tried to put it around her, but Margot shrugged it off.
    â€œThere are other professions. Noble ones. There are healers . . .”
    â€œI wish I’d never met you. I wish you’d never taken me in. It’s like you took me up to the clouds and gave me a home and now you expect me to live on land. It’s not fair.”
    â€œWitches don’t believe in fair. I told you from the beginning this was only temporary.”
    â€œWell, I’m not a witch so I can believe whatever I want now. Can’t I?“
    â€œWe will miss you . . . Remember this: a girl can start as one thing and become another. Magic helps. But you don’t need magic for true change,” the Witch of the Woods said, her twiggy eyebrows knitting.
    Margot didn’t want her advice. She knew she couldn’t stay, but she wanted to. There was nothing else to say. Already feeling lost and alone, Margot turned to put her hand on the staircase to the world