Zen puts a hand at the small of my back, and we exchange a look. I give him a thumbs up. I’m grateful for his presence, because this place is so big, I feel infinitesimally small in comparison. We pass through another set of massive doors, and into a grand foyer, where marble columns reached toward
“Princess,” Zen says calmly, his voice carrying in the still air “It’s been long.” A derisive huff, and the Princess leans her face against a fist “Empress Regent. I see you’re still as impudent as ever, Sigmond.” Amber eyes slip to me, and I flinch before I can stop myself. A sharp smile curves a
I know he told me to have faith, but at this rate we won’t even have time to look for a gravesite. Before I can think better of it, my hand reaches for the sleeve of his jacket. At once, both Zen and the Empress turn their attention to me. I swallow thickly, but keep my chin up and my gaze on Zen.
“I shall escort you to your lodging,” He says, and unlike before, his voice is free of any emotion I can’t quantize my relief when we start towards the doors of the hall. Holy shit, that was— “Zepherin Sigmond.” At once, the three of us stop. I don’t want to look away, but when Zen turns, I make
We pass through the gardens. Cold breeze blows through the vast expanse of open space. The snowfall from last night has melted some, leaving little slushes of melted snow around, which servants are busy cleaning. “The gardens are a sight to behold in the spring,” Zen tells me, noticing my stare “I
“I’d like someone to escort me to the drill hall.” Zen says casually, and without a hint of even thinking they might reject I’m in awe, really. I don’t think I can ever manage to sound that blatantly authoritative. “Very well, My Lord,” Andrea gestures with a hand, and a boy steps forward “Would t
Understanding seems to flicker over her face “The Imperial family is blessed by the goddess, and their abilities surpass those of a normal man by large. His Highness was sent on his own request.” I nod, absorbing the information. We enter a hall with portraits lining the walls. Andrea tells me bri
I have to give it to them, their expressions don’t change in the slightest. Andrea shows me more of the palace, we pass through a series of arched doorways, enter the grand ballroom, a breathtaking space where the royal court would gather for grand festivities. Our recent conversation and sightse
I barely manage to find a waste bucket before everything I had for breakfast retches out. My throat burns. My vision is blurry. I dry heave every single thing in my stomach, warmth seeps out of the corners of my eyes. I can’t breathe. The smell of blood is everywhere. I sit there, holding the edges
The smell of rotting flesh is disgusting. Its muscle memory to pull the gloves over my hands, pick a scalpel off the medical tray. The body on the metal table in front of me has no head. ‘You have to take a sample of flesh, a sample of blood and take a look at the internal organs.’ Aunt Cynthia’s
How adorable. Apparently, I’m the only one who thinks so, since when I turn back around, everyone from the fourth prince and the first order to passing strangers and our coachman is looking on in disbelief. Is it so difficult to imagine Zen would get along with children? “Don’t leave your mouth ha
“My Lady, am I mistaken or is the fourth prince avoiding me?” I look up from knotting the satchel to my belt to face Zen. There’s a slight furrow in his brows, and he looks at Lukas, standing far, far from us and talking with the first order soldiers. The fourth prince has indeed, been avoiding Ze
I need to move. But even as I think that, I cant bring myself to move. He’s holding me too firmly, I think, entirely reasonable. I won’t be able to slip away like this. Even the most critical part of me can’t find that to be entirely an excuse. After last night, I doubt there’s anyone who would lik
I wake up to the sound of a door knock. My sleep hazed brain registers the sound, recognizes it, and promptly ignores it in favor of cuddling into the warmth of my bed once more. I don’t want to wake up just yet, since last night I fell asleep so late— Last night? My eyes open, blurry with sleep,
But he’s looking at me now, as if the answer might crush him, as if he’s bracing himself for it. I reach out to drape my arms over his shoulders gently, they hang down in front of his chest lightly. “Why? Because you did your job?” I ask quietly, hold his gaze “Or because you didn’t hesitate to do
“Lift your arm, please.” I say, and my voice comes out soft If we weren’t sitting so close to each other, I would’ve missed it. His shoulders tense up, the even breathing stilled into nothing. “You don’t have to do that, Dinah.” Zen finally says My brows furrow. Zen might be a warrior among warri
On the second floor hallway of the hotel, my eyes drift to the room where Zen is supposed to be. My room is just at its side. I wonder if I knock on his door right now, would he be annoyed? He did ask not to be disturbed. The image of his bloodied arm flashes in my mind. Just a moment. I just want