“Be that as it may.” The Emperor says at length “I shall grant all your demands, so long as you pledge your loyalty to the House of Devereaux.” A pledge of loyalty. One that would tie my life to the one on the throne. Of course, the old man wants to ensure I can never escape their hold. The bonds t
He laughs at that, a quiet guffaw “That would be just fine, Lord Sigmond.” … By the time I feel composed again, the sun has already gone down. I brush my hair back from my forehead, letting out a long breath. “You fight well.” I set aside the practice sword in my hand Across the training ground,
For a long moment, I can only stare at her, dumbfounded. I’m very sure it’s around 11 in the night. “You’re still awake, My Lady.” I find myself saying She rolls her eyes at that, though the smile stays “Not at all. Didn’t you know I can sleep with my eyes open too?” “It’s late.” I walk over to w
“I did not know you’d become familiar with the kitchens so soon, My Lady.” “If by soon, you mean a few hours ago, then yes.” Dinah holds her cup in both hands “The staff at this palace is nice enough to make me suspicious sometimes.” Indeed. Though it’s likely because this place is under Lukas’ au
I know for a fact that My Lady wouldn’t stand being pushed away from the forefront, so the only way she can be so mildly affected by it must be because— “You caught me.” Dinah gives me a bright smile, eyes gleaming “I talked to Lukas. He said we’ll figure out a way around it.” I can’t stop the fli
Dinah smiles and pushes another one towards me “I can’t have you grow weak and tired, can I? You need to be in good health if you’re going to be of any use to me.” “That’s harsh, My Lady.” Another biscuit. “The world is harsh, Zen.” She picks up one for herself then “I’ve been meaning to ask. Do
“Don't you have work to get to?" I put my hands on my hips, glaring down at the person laying on the couch, hands under his head and eyes blissfully closed. Zen opens his eyes just enough to look up at me indolently, with obviously no intention of moving. "I'm taking a day off, My Lady." He says,
He lets go of me, and I step back instinctively. Zen gets up from his place on the couch, and walks out of the bedchamber. The sound of the door closing is the only indication that he's left. I bite the inside of my cheek, hold my hand with the other, a riot in my chest. “Your Ladyship?” Mesilla
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