A Queen Never Gambles. She Deals

A girl named Elara—whom I once pitied enough to introduce to Throne, hoping she’d land a job—has now declared she wants the tiara too. Naïve. Probably thought beginner’s luck was a real thing.

I figured, fine. Let the cards decide. If I win, I walk away with the tiara. If I lose, I’ll find another way to soothe my pride. Easy enough.

Thorne, my ever-watchful husband, leaned in and murmured, “Go easy on her.”