CHAPTER 1

The trees leaned out of Ochi’s way, creating a path through the darkness.

Ochi walked without hesitation. She knew her way through these woods – she was the forest witch, after all.

A pony followed at a respectful distance. There was a pillowcase tied to its saddle with a very strange clock inside. Anneshka Mazanar followed the pony. There was nothing respectful about the way that she walked. She muttered as she stumbled through the forest. Andel’s mechanical dragon had scorched her hands and face. She’d lost a slipper and her wedding dress was in tatters. Brambles trailed from her petticoats, swishing like a long barbed tail.

Although Anneshka’s burns were painful, the thought of what she’d lost hurt more. She’d been this close to being crowned queen. This close to fulfilling her destiny.

Now Drakomor was dead. And it wouldn’t be long before all of Yaroslav heard about the things she had done; the people she’d had killed and the prince who’d got away . . .

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