Something Witchy This Way Comes: A Jolie Wilkins Novel by H. P. Mallory Page A

Jolie, just as much as you always did, and I …”
    I narrowed my eyes, suddenly hanging on his words. And although I knew this conversation was absolutely pointless, somehow I couldn’t let go of the fact that he had been about to say something … something I had so longed to hear … well, that is before Rand and Mathilda returned my memories to me. “You what?” I demanded, surprised by my need to hear him utter the words.
    But Sinjin had already dropped his gaze to the floor, as if any boldness he’d previously experienced had withered and died.
    “You what?” I demanded again.
    But he dropped my arms and stepped away, shaking his head as he did so. The tears that had been threatening me only seconds earlier abruptly receded, replaced by anger. Why I was angry, I didn’t really know.
    “It’s just as well,” I said in a soft but disappointed voice. I pulled away and opened the door, disappearing into the sanctuary of the dark hallway.

    The ceremony was held a mere two hours later. My panel and I were in attendance in the Green Room of Kinloch Kirk, so named because the entire room, with its amphitheater-style seating, was painted a sage green. It was the same room where only a few months earlier Sinjin had helped me defeat my nerves before I gave my first speech as Queen.
    But of course I firmly pushed all kind thoughts about Sinjin to the deepest recesses of my mind, knowing they would only spawn useless feelings of guilt. As I glanced around the room, I was quiet, depressed. I watched Odran and Trent make small talk as they sat in the first row, four rows of unoccupied seats behind them. Meanwhile, in a corner, Mercedes struggled with her “projection charm” to ensure it was working. She raised her hands a few times, closed her eyes and uttered a few words as lights flamed up from between her hands like a fireworks show. The projection charm was basically like a magical video camera. The ceremony that was about to start would be broadcast to the entire Underworld community. The witches and fae would need to go into a visionary trance and Mercedes’ charm would act like a film reel against the backdrop of their minds. Those less magically inclined, like the vampires and werewolves, could tune in on their television sets. They just had to turn on the channel that offered the most static, and Mercedes’ magic would do the rest, broadcasting itself like a television show. Or at least that’s how Mercedes had described it in her announcement.
    The fact that Sinjin’s disgrace was going to be aired like the Rose Parade made me sick to my stomach. Insome ways the Underworld reminded me of medieval times—some of our customs were just as outdated.
    “I know this must be difficult for you,” Rand said as he took the seat beside mine.
    I glanced up at him, half expecting him to be jovial since he was about to witness the banishment of someone he had always disliked … intensely. But instead his expression was grim and I could feel his gloomy mood.
    “It isn’t easy,” I said with a frown.
    He nodded. “Well, for whatever it’s worth, I think you did the right thing.”
    “This wasn’t my idea,” I reminded him, second-guessing it even now. The thought of what was about to happen to Sinjin was making me feel physically ill.
    “I wasn’t referring to Sinjin’s punishment. I was referring to the fact that you allowed your panel to vote, and you carried out their decision.” He smiled down at me and appeared to be proud. “You are every inch the Queen you wanted to be.”
    I nodded, trying to find comfort in his words. But I couldn’t. I mean, yes, I was proud of myself for choosing to support a democratic vote, but at the same time I was uneasy because I didn’t support the verdict. I just had to wonder what was worse—ruling with an iron fist and feeling justified in my decisions, or … this?
    I watched my fingers drum against my knee, and then glanced around the room nervously,