The Opal Crown Read Online Free Page B

entitled to know at least a little about my own brother? While it’s impossible to accept Astrid and Fennrick as my parents, not after the choice they made, Andrei is innocent; my existence has been kept secret from him. I can’t help but have questions about him—questions Wilha seems disinclined to ever answer.
    Somehow, I must make her see reason, and I resolve to visit her again soon.
    But the opportunity doesn’t present itself. One snowstorm after another pummels the city, and business in Korynth nearly comes to a halt. Finally, the snow gives way to a month of pounding, sleeting rain and frigid winds. Tempers in the castle run short, and I think I might go mad from so many days of being trapped inside.
    When Ruby’s birthday party arrives, fires are lit in every room, the floors are scrubbed, the rugs beaten, and every noble family in Korynth is invited to the castle to celebrate, not just Ruby’s birthday, but the passing of winter.
    Ruby is delighted by the thoroughbred Stefan purchased for her, and laughs gaily when she finds a klarent hidden in her slice of cake—a Kyrenican tradition, which is a sign of good things to come. While cake is served to the rest of the guests, I hurry to my room for my gift to Ruby.
    On the way back, I run into Stefan’s mother, Genevieve, who has just returned from a quick visit to Ezebo’s chambers.
    “How is he?” I say.
    “A little stronger today.” Genevieve smiles wanly. She’s an elegant-looking woman and a kind queen, but today deep circles line her eyes.
    I hug her briefly. “He’ll be better soon.”
    “He will. And I’m so sorry, Wilha. With all that’s been going on I feel I have not comforted you well over your father’s death.”
    “That’s quite all right,” I say, and for the briefest of moments, feel I might start crying. Not out of grief for Fennrick, but over the kindness Genevieve has always offered me—and the fact that I don’t deserve any of it.
    “Is that it?” she asks, gesturing to the silken bundle in my hands. After I nod, she says, “Are you sure you want to give it to her?”
    “Yes, absolutely. Ruby eyes it every time she visits my chambers.”
    “That is truly generous of you, Wilha. Ruby will be delighted by your gift.”
    I smile back at her, but it requires effort. Every time she calls me Wilha, it feels as though someone’s punched a hole in my chest.
    Genevieve puts her arm around my waist, and together we enter the great hall. Stefan is surrounded by a circle of Ezebo’s advisors—as he often is these days—and looks annoyed. The rest of the guests watch Ruby unwrap her birthday presents. Genevieve and I join Leandra and Eudora, the dowager queen. Genevieve winks when she takes her place in between me and Eudora, as she knows the two of us rarely get along.
    “Wilha,” Leandra whispers as Ruby unwraps a new saddle. “What did you say was the name of your horse in Galandria?”
    “Um . . .” What did Wilha say when I asked her? I step away and offer Ruby my present.
    “Well?” Leandra says when I return.
    “It was . . . Adley,” I say, remembering just in time.
    Ruby gives an excited squeal. “Look!” She holds up one of my jeweled masks and presses it to her face. “Now I look like Wilha!”
    “In a few years it will fit better,” I say. “Perhaps one day your parents will throw a masquerade ball for you.”
    I glance over at Stefan and see he’s glowering back at me.
    “What’s wrong?” I ask as Ruby continues unwrapping more presents.
    “Of all the things in the world, you had to give her a mask? It is not a toy, Wilha.” He glances at Ruby. “I would never speak an ill word about your parents, but I would never sentence our child to such a fate as to wear a mask.”
    Stefan has been in a foul mood for days and has not been pleasant to be around. “I just thought—”
    “Prince Stefan?” says a page who has just materialized, “Forgive me, but a messenger has just arrived from Galandria