"Nobody," Ava said. "But I'd think whatever she's done, there are other ways to punish her—ways that don't involve scarring her face!"
Queen Eliza's nostrils flared, her jaw tightening. "You little piece of shit," she hissed, stepping closer. "When you first came here, you were begging me to let you go. Eyes puffy, voice trembling. Now look at you—growing wings, and yet you won't fly. Pitiful."
"I don't know what you're talking about," she said coolly, "but what I do know is—I hate bullies."
Queen Eliza's eyes went wide, her lip curling into a feral sneer. "You little slut," she seethed. "Taking my husband wasn't enough, was it? Now you dare to challenge me, in my palace?" "If by challenging your authority you mean not letting you slap innocent people around, then yes." Ava's face was calm, but her heartbeat was tap dancing in her ears.
