You smile, releasing my nipples and kissing me softly before stepping up to the door. You knock and my body still aflame begins to tremble as we are u...hered in. You say hello and introduce me, then we are brought to a room filled with other couples; you take a seat and tell me to sit down, so I sit at your feet, my heart racing and the anticipation building as we just sit and wait. In the center of the room is a sort of podium but at a slightly lower level as though someone could sit on it or. Me holding her mother, dried tear stains running down her cheeks. She left us there until she had her books in the kitchen, changed clothes, and stuck a lasagna in the oven.I heard the knock. A light tapping, just to get our attention. “Shit, I wish it had been you two. On the other hand, I’d be one husband short of a full load then, wouldn’t I? You two look so sweet together. Mom, are you doing all right?”“Yes. I was asking Charlie for a favor and it got to me. He held me. Your boyfriend is a. My best friend, the one person who got me in all the world, is gone. I don’t know how long I stay there. I see people walking past my car. Some look at me and notice, most don’t. It doesn’t matter. None of it matters. Maria is gone. I can see shadows of her in our conversations, but more and more it feels like she’s pretending to be her former self. Reyna is making her into something different. She did so much to Jace in so little time; I can’t imagine what she’s been able to do with Maria with. The Queen is entertaining today,” The Knave spoke, his words for himself although they were loud enough for Alice to hear. “Perhaps It would be best to introduce you when her passions are less heightened.”“Off with her head!” This time the words were crystal clear and delivered at great volume. A moment later there was a blood-curdling scream that made Alice’s toes curl and raised goosebumps up and down her arms.“Oh, my,” she repeated, swallowing nervously, the queasy feeling in her stomach.