The Queen’s Price

The doors slammed shut behind me, sealing the pit away as though it had never existed. But the image of the spikes—the way they gleamed hungrily beneath me—would never leave my mind. My body still shook, and my palms were raw from clutching the stone so hard.

I should’ve been relieved that I survived. Instead, my stomach twisted with a sickening realization. This was only the first trial. There would be more.

And next time, I might not be so lucky.

“Well,” Diamonds’ voice broke the silence, smooth and mocking. “That was entertaining. I didn’t think she’d make it past the second step.”

He smirked as though my survival was just a minor inconvenience, his golden cufflinks catching the light. “But I’ll admit—you surprised me, Queen. Perhaps there’s more steel in you than I thought.”

“Steel?” Hearts laughed, pushing himself up from his chair. His dagger twirled effortlessly in his hand, catching glints of torchlight. “Please. She didn’t survive because of steel. She survived because she wanted to. And that fire…” His eyes lingered on me, sharp and mischievous. “…is exactly why I’ll make her mine.”

I flinched, taking a step back, but Clubs immediately moved between us, his broad shoulders blocking Hearts’ view of me. His dark eyes glared like burning coals.

“She’s not your plaything,” Clubs growled, voice low and dangerous. “She’s a person. And if you so much as touch her without her say-so, I’ll break every bone in your body.”

Hearts only grinned wider, like Clubs’ threat was music to his ears. “Touchy, touchy. You sound like a man already in love. How cute.”

Before Clubs could swing at him, Spades finally spoke. His voice cut through the tension like a blade of ice.

“Stop wasting time.”

Everyone turned to him. His silver hair gleamed faintly in the torchlight, his cold gray eyes fixed on me. “She survived, but survival isn’t victory. The trials will continue until the game decides her fate. Until then, she’s vulnerable.”

He paused, his gaze sharp enough to slice me open. “And vulnerable queens don’t last long.”

Something in his tone made me shiver. He wasn’t threatening me—not exactly. But his words held a warning, one I didn’t fully understand.

“Why me?” I finally whispered, my voice trembling. My throat ached from holding back tears, from forcing myself not to collapse in front of them. “Why the Queen? Why not someone else?”

Joker’s laughter cut me off before anyone else could answer. He leaned against the wall, his grin stretching unnaturally wide. “Because, darling, the game chose you. That’s the beauty of it. No one escapes the deck. Once you’re in, you’re in for life.”

His words settled over me like a curse.

I wanted to argue, to scream, to demand they let me go. But deep down, I knew the truth. I was trapped.

Spades turned sharply, his coat brushing against the floor as he strode toward the exit. “Prepare her. The next trial won’t be so forgiving.”

He left without another word, his footsteps echoing like gunshots.

Diamonds sighed dramatically, rolling his shoulders as if the entire ordeal bored him. “He’s right. If she dies, this entire game is a waste of time. Which means, my dear Queen…” He walked closer, his smirk sharp as glass. “…you’ll be needing my resources. Wealth buys survival. And no one has more than me.”

“I don’t want your money,” I spat, surprising myself with the strength in my voice.

Diamonds’ smirk didn’t falter. In fact, it deepened. “You will. Eventually.”

Before I could reply, Clubs’ hand brushed my shoulder, grounding me again. He bent slightly, his voice softer than I’d ever heard it. “Don’t listen to them. You survived today because of you. Not because of money. Not because of strategy. Because you didn’t give up.” His eyes locked with mine, steady and intense. “That matters.”

For a moment, I could breathe again.

But then Hearts stepped in, leaning casually against the table, his smile dripping with mischief. “Cute pep talk, Clubs. Really. But she doesn’t need a babysitter. What she needs is someone who can keep her from losing her mind in this hellhole. And that, darling…” He winked at me, his grin dangerous and inviting. “…is me.”

My stomach twisted.

They weren’t just fighting for control of the game anymore. They were fighting for me.

And I didn’t know which was worse.

Joker clapped his hands suddenly, the sharp sound bouncing off the stone walls. “Oh, how delicious! Four Aces circling their Queen like wolves, each convinced they’re the one she’ll choose.” His eyes gleamed with madness as he tilted his head, grin spreading wider. “But here’s the fun part, darling—”

He leaned closer, close enough that I could smell the faint scent of smoke on him.

“—the Queen doesn’t get to choose at all. The game does.”

The torches flickered violently, as if the room itself shuddered at his words.

And for the first time, I understood.

I wasn’t just a Queen.

I was a piece on the board.

And the board was already moving.

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