“Hello, child,” the queen said triumphantly. “I’m pleased that you’ve returned. Last time you left in such a hurry, and I had no key to the treasury. You have no idea how much trouble you’ve caused me.”
Cecile glared at the cruel, beautiful queen. “Let Lily go! This is between you and me,” she said, clenching her fists.

The queen crossed her arms and gave Cecile a scornful look. “No, it was between you and me—and now I have won. But you are still so uncooperative, Cecile. If only you had drunk a little more of my beauty solution …” she teased.

“So … that wasn’t a beauty potion—it was poison!” Cecile gasped.

Griselda laughed. “Oh, what a surprise; the darling princess is bright enough to figure that one out. But not bright enough to keep me out of the treasury! Take them both away,” she barked at her henchmen as she crossed the floor to the treasury.

- From Cecile and the Spider Queen (Mystic Heroine Adventures™)
by Marilyn Churchill