Nightingale Read Online Free PDF Page B

rather, me.
    My stomach can’t decide if it wants to stay where it belongs or move into my throat. I’ve imagined sitting in on a State meeting, but now that the moment is here, I feel woefully underprepared.
    My eyes run over the group, memorizing each face. Annalise nudges me forward and my stomach rolls . As I walk closer to the table, the corners of Mother’s eyes crinkle. If she is still angry with me, she’s hiding it well.
    When she stands, all heads pivot away from me, toward her. “Ladies and Gentlemen of the State.” She pauses and nods to me. My heart pounds. “My beloved witches. Let me present my daughter, Lark.”
    She stretches out her arms, and without thinking, I cross the room and step into them. My short frame and shyness is amplified by Mother’s elegant posture and the respect she draws.
    Whistles ring out across the room and my cheeks flush hot. Mother beams at me for a moment before addressing the gathered dignitaries. “As you know, Lark will turn eighteen in twelve days. Under normal circumstances, I’d mark the day with festivities, but given the current situation…” She stops speaking for a moment to look at me and wraps her hand tightly around mine. “We will celebrate privately, at home, with only family.”
    If there was any doubt in my mind before, it vanishes. The only reason Mother would forgo a public celebration is if she’s unsure of my mental state. Which means, despite what she’s told me, I could still go crazy.
    “Now, I’d like a moment with my daughter.”
    Immediately, the room clears. My guards and all. No one questions Mother. They just leave.
    “Lunch?” Mother gestures to a row of delicacies lining the middle of the table.
    My stomach hasn’t settled down yet and I shake my head. “No, thank you.”
    She clucks at me. “You’re going to need your strength for the assessment.”
    I tuck a strand of chestnut hair behind my ear. “The assessment?”
    Excitement flickers across Mother’s face. “I’ve arranged for you to sit for it today. In two hours, to be exact.”
    My mouth drops open. I had thought…
    “You didn’t think you could skip it, did you?”
    Actually, yes. “Of course not.”
    Mother knits her brows together. “You’re scowling and that isn’t becoming. You should be excited, not to mention thankful. Annalise told me how distraught you were about missing it the first time.”
    “I am excited.” I try to sound happy, but my voice falls flat. “But how can I join the State if I don’t have…” Beck. But I can’t say that. Especially after the conversation we had earlier. “An acceptable mate?”
    “What would you like me to do about your problem, Lark?” Mother clasps her hands before her like one of my old teachers waiting for me to give the right answer.
    “I can’t be bound, you know that.” Once a witch is bound, the only way to undo it is by death. If Mother doesn’t see this as a problem, it means one thing: she knows Beck is dead. My legs wobble and I grasp the edge of the table for support.
    “I’ll ask you again. What would you like to do about that?”
    I frown. What is she asking me? If I want to be bound to someone else? What does that mean? I can’t be bound to anyone else as long as Beck’s alive. Which means…is she asking if I want him dead?
    My heart flutters. This is the first hint she’s given that he may be okay. I clench my jaw and smash my lips together in hope that I don’t give away my emotions.
    Tiny pulses of ice pummel my body as Mother targets her magic at me. It creeps along the edge of my arms, over my chest and toward my heart. In response, my pulse accelerates. 
    “What are you doing?” I ask, stepping back from her.
    Mother raises her eyebrows and sighs. “Helping you remember who you are.”
    I bite my lower lip. Something isn’t right about this.
    “Mother, I know who I am.”Another wave of magic hits me in the chest, knocking me off balance and my unease turns to fear.