Broken Forest: Book One of the Daath Chronicles by Eliza Tilton

was true. The females of our race were only as powerful as the ruling males and we were royal blood. “Then you will listen to my orders. Do we have an understanding?”
    “Yes.”
    A butterfly flew past. I swatted the insect, killing it instantly. “I cannot stand these bugs. I’ll never fathom the obsession humans have with them. They are vile things. Where was I? Oh, yes.” We passed the marble fountain and continued walking.
    “In order to appease The Council I must be married, this you know. The dolls are my private collection. The finest specimens from all of Tarrtainya, and sadly, I cannot tolerate any of them, and none of them have the aura I seek. All you had to do was take the girls Romulus instructed and bring them here. Yet, somehow, you managed to fail at such a simple task. If it weren’t for Gerard’s quick thinking, we would be having a different conversation. During our last meeting, you said you took care of the problem. What happened?”
    “The spell broke sooner than I planned.”
    I disengaged from her. “Only Gerard survived. Do you know what happened to the rest?”
    “Not yet, but I have sent out one of my personal scouts. He should report back within a week.”
    “The Council is not going to be pleased.”
    Lucy cleared her throat. “Eldesar has called a meeting.”
    I backhanded her across the face. “I want these boys dead!”
    This was turning into a disaster. Eldesar had already warned me once about sending men out of Daath for what he deemed unnecessary assignments.
    “I will see to it personally.”
    “No.”
    “Lucino, I will … .”
    “Enough! You will stay here and be Jeslyn’s caretaker.”
    “You want me to babysit?”
    “Yes, a job you are more suited for.” Lucy glowered. I knew it would agonize her, such a menial task. I placed a hand on her shoulder. “She will be awake soon. Go and introduce yourself, and do make sure she’s properly dressed for dinner.”
    Lucy bowed and walked away, her frustration clearly visible in her loud steps.

Hours ago, I’d been a prisoner. Now I sat in a room of royalty, richly decorated with a speckled granite fireplace and an oversized white bear rug. Ruby silk draped the mahogany four post bed. Garnet and maroon pillows covered the bed, matching the delicate rose petals on the butter-cream wallpaper. My mind was hazy when I first woke, and it took a while to get my bearings straight, but after soaking in lavender bubbles, I felt like myself again.
    I brushed my knotted hair with a silver comb I found on the table. The hot bath had washed away the past weeks’ grime leaving my skin soft and smooth. It was the nicest bath I’d ever taken.
    The brush passed through my hair methodically. I sat on a velvet seat in front of a large oval mirror that hung above a vanity table, arrayed with perfumes and powders my family could never afford. I loved my home, but my heart had always desired finer things. I wasn’t meant to live on a farm pulling weeds and milking cows.
    I wanted to believe in this fairytale setting, but my heart refused to be steady. I recited the prayer for protection. When I spoke the final words, an intense urge to flee swept over me. Even though this was all very wonderful, I couldn’t trust it. I had to leave.
    I threw the brush and ran to the door
.
I grabbed the knob and the door opened.
    “Going somewhere?”
    In the doorway stood a catlike girl with black hair. She wore a full-length gown, laced in a tight bodice, revealing too much skin. Around her neck hung a giant sparkling ruby—the biggest gem I’d ever seen.
    She circled, inspecting me. “Hmm, such a pretty girl shouldn’t be dressed in such dreadful attire. I’m sure there’s something in here you can wear.”
    The girl walked to the armoire and flung open the wooden doors. Hanging inside were a myriad of gowns. She took a honey brown dress off the rack.
    “This will do.” She threw the dress at me. “Get dressed. I’ll return for you in a few