**Piper**

The king let out a loud, bitter laugh, and I cringed against the sound. "Now I know you've lost your mind."

The queen jerked her hand back and huffed. "I have not lost my mind," she snapped. "What other way can you fix this mess you've created? You know Gregory has always been strong-willed, and once he ascends to the Pendragon throne, he'll be completely free to rule as he sees fit. Nothing you or I say will have any influence on him. But his queen will. ...