Violet“Violet!”I sat up straight. My heart beat out of my chest, and my eyes flew open so wide I thought they might fall out of my face. “What?”I was so exhausted…too exhausted.Where am I?Who am I?My hands searched the empty sheets next to me as I sat there, confused. My eyes traveled through the room. The bed was huge, way too big for one person. And the floor looked so polished it seemed like no one had walked on them at all.Then it hit me.I was in Lyperia, in the palace, in Kylan’s bed.Suddenly, everything from yesterday came rushing back at once. Kayden, the king, Uncle Fergus, Kylan’s hand in mine only to let go of me the very next second, and I hadn’t seen him since.The knocks came again. I blinked up at the big clock above the double doors. It was five in the morning. The exact time Madam Renata had warned me about yesterday.‘You’ll be up by five, breakfast by six, and if you’re late, you’ll go hungry.’Breakfast didn’t sound too bad because at least that way I would
VioletThe hallway that felt so big before now seemed smaller, almost like it was closing in. Guards stood along the sides, their eyes following every move.Far ahead, King Elyx was walking toward us, his people close behind him. On our side, Fergus walked in front, leading the Bloodroses.The king moved slowly, like he was afraid his crown might fall if he rushed. His chin was held high. Right beside him was Beta Jack, whose face looked much more friendlier.It felt like two storms were walking straight toward each other, ready to crash in the middleBefore the two groups passed each other, Fergus looked back for a moment, and so did Dylan, who walked beside him. Their eyes landed on my hand, still wrapped in Kylan’s. They both let out quiet sighs before turning their heads forward again.They didn’t look angry…just tired. Disappointed. Like they still didn’t understand, or maybe didn’t want to.Uncle Fergus still thought all of this was just an act. And since I had told Dylan the tr
VioletFergus looked around slowly, his expression as stony as ever. His eyes swept over the palace grounds, taking in every little detail. That was just what he did, always preparing for some imaginary attack, like someone was out to get him.Only this time, I couldn’t say for sure it was imaginary.He shook his head with a look of disgust, loudly sucking his teeth. Sonya didn’t react much. She always went along with whatever Fergus had planned for her. That was…her.It was strange seeing faces I hadn’t seen in a while. Family, a good number of Bloodroses, elders. Just like Sonya, they all followed whatever vibe Uncle Fergus was giving off. That was the power he had over them.Fergus stood with his arms folded across his chest, looking like an idiot, so everyone else just did the same, mirroring his stance perfectly. It was like they had all been coached to act like they didn’t give a damn.They stood united.Despite growing up around them, it was hard not to compare how different th
VioletWe had been waiting outside for a while now, and the tension in my chest got worse with every second.I stood glued to Kylan’s side, fearing I might crumble if I didn’t. He hadn’t said much since we got here, just stood there, quiet and calm. Too calm. Meanwhile, I couldn’t stop shifting from one foot to the other.After hiding out in his room for quite some time, we had received word that the Bloodrose had finally arrived.I heard the engines before I saw them. Then one car appeared. Then two. Three. Four…My eyes didn’t know where to look as they just kept coming. They were Lyperian cars, like the one that had brought us to the palace. Dark, big, with tinted windows.My heart started pounding as I lost count of the cars. They really had come with many, but it made sense. If I had been advised not to come here alone, then neither should Uncle Fergus. Especially not with a king who wasn’t exactly thrilled about any of us being here in the first place.Nervously, I scanned my su
Violet“I’m still proud of you,” he mumbled, his hands wrapping around my waist. “I couldn’t have done what you’re doing. I don’t exactly see myself going to the Bloodrose swamps.”I giggled, hitting his chest. “It’s not a swamp, it’s a village.”“Same thing.”I leaned into him fully, resting my cheek against his chest, and took a quiet breath. His strong arms and the sound of his heartbeat brought the same calm to me, like they always did.I really liked Kylan like this, and he had been like this for a while now. Soft, slightly unguarded.I knew it wouldn’t last, and that’s why I enjoyed every moment.“I liked seeing you with your little sister,” I murmured, still against his chest.“Katerina?” he asked, and I heard the change in his tone. It was softer, like the name meant something. Kylan had claimed not to know much about love, but just by that tone, I could tell he loved that little girl.“Yes, her.”“She’s one of the best out of the…” he trailed off.“Thirty-something?” I teased
VioletStill confused by all that had just gone down, my eyes stayed fixed on our intertwined fingers. It had been a while now since Kylan had saved me from that evil woman, and I still had no clue where he was taking me.I didn’t care. I was just glad he had managed to get me out of there.My lips curled as I looked up at his back, thinking about the way he had commanded that room. There was just something attractive about the way he dominated the space, and the people in it.Did they like him?No, probably not. But they had no choice except to respect him, and he seemed well aware of that.After walking for a while, the hallway changed. It was bigger now, with more guards, at least twelve, lined up along the sides. As soon as they saw him, every one of them bowed deeply.“Your Highness,” they greeted as we passed. At the end of the hall was a massive door that looked different from the rest. It was taller, heavier, and made of darker gold.The two guards standing by the door quickly