Sword Mountain by Nancy Yi Fan Read Free Book Online

corner just ahead. She skidded to a halt, ready to spin around, but it was none other than the physician who had checked on her earlier in the morning.
    â€œThere you are, Dandelion,” the physician said. “I could not find you in your room. I was beginning to wonder if the castle walls had swallowed you up.”
    â€œI got lost.” She panted, keeping an attentive ear for any sound of clawsteps behind her. There seemed to be none.
    â€œThere, there,” said the physician, patting her head. “This place does seem to spawn new corridors when your back is turned. But it’s all right now.” He gestured for her to turn around. “Come, quickly.”
    Dandelion sighed in relief. “Thank you, sir,” she said. They walked in the direction she’d come from. She couldn’t wait to be inside the safety of her room and figure out her next step—how to find Fleydur. “I didn’t mean to be troublesome,” she added.
    The physician led her around a corner. “Not at all. I don’t suppose you’d find the queen’s chamber by yourself anyhow.”
    Dandelion stumbled to a stop. “What?” She must have heard wrong.
    â€œWe are going to Her Majesty Queen Sigrid’s drawing room. Did I forget to tell you this morning?” he answered cheerfully, assuming Dandelion’s wide eyes and open beak were signs of awe. “For some days now, she has been looking forward to conversing with you privately.” He gestured to the door he’d stopped in front of. It was the door she’d fled through only minutes ago.
    â€œWhy?” Dandelion cried, edging backward. The door was shut tight, as if the queen’s conversation with Forlath hadn’t happened at all.
    â€œThe queen wants to get to know you, I believe.”
    â€œCan’t I go back to my room right now, please, sir?”
    â€œOh, don’t be shy. The queen is a sensitive and caring lady.”
    With that, the physician opened the door and shoved Dandelion in.
    The door to the room beyond the antechamber was still open, and Dandelion could see inside. The windows were flung wide, the curtains open to let afternoon sunshine pour in. Forlath, it seemed, had left.
    â€œCome in.”
    Sigrid’s eyes were black, shot with flecks of gold. Her feathers shimmered with yellow powder. She lifted a set of talons to motion to her hummingbird handmaid, and Dandelion noticed that Sigrid’s toenails were filed to sharp points and painted bloodred.
    The hummingbird brought a plate of cookies to Dandelion.
    If the queen gives me a cookie, she can’t have seen me , Dandelion thought, and picked a small one.
    â€œPour some tea for the child, too,” Sigrid said to her handmaid as she got up and walked to her window. “Whoever do you think was listening at my door a moment ago? I feel it was Fleydur. Thinking he’s so sly and clever. He can’t even talk to me face-to-face!”
    Dandelion nearly dropped her cookie.
    â€œOr maybe it was his valet. It shows how uncouth Fleydur is. He puts up one face for the court, but inside, he’s plotting something else altogether. I don’t care how much he’s overheard. I don’t care what he would do about it—”
    â€œHe didn’t!” Dandelion said.
    Sigrid turned around, huge and frightening in her regalia. Ornate lace-edged sleeves only emphasized her bulk as she towered over Dandelion.
    â€œFleydur didn’t listen,” Dandelion whispered.
    â€œWhy do you vouch for him, sweetie?” said the queen.
    Does she know? Does she know? Dandelion’s mind was paralyzed by fear. Sigrid didn’t wait for her answer.
    â€œDoes he treat you so well? Is that it?” Sigrid ventured. “I’m puzzled why he would. Come closer,” she said. “My eyes are not as good as they once were. I cannot see you well.”
    Sigrid’s strong clutch pulled Dandelion forward till