<blockquote>Marie kept on chattering. “...and the suitors can start watching you dance for the unicorns next month. Philippe is first in line to try, right? He would make a good king.”
“Mother danced for nine men before Father.” Zéphine mashed the custard with her spoon.
“I wouldn’t like that.” Marie’s dark eyebrows drew together. “Nine men, all dead....”
I would only like to summon a unicorn, thought Zéphine. The men can look after themselves.
But she knew that no unicorn would ever come for her.</blockquote>
