Althea turned and met Queen Mother Wilma’s furious glare. Before she could react, a loud smack rang through the atelier as Wilma’s hand hit her face.

Althea bit her lip, already sensing trouble from the Queen Mother’s thoughts. She didn’t dare read them fully because the woman’s mind was nothing but a storm of curses and cruel wishes.

Standing behind the Queen Mother was the same woman from last night, the one who had tried to attack her. A smug smile played on her lips. Althea ...