VioletI needed to know. Was he like them too?I couldn’t forget that smirk of his, and I had yet to figure out whether it was a good smirk or a bad smirk. If anyone knew about Kayden, it had to be his siblings.My gaze flicked around until it landed on Cecilia. I knew all too well that the topic of Kayden was even more sensitive than that of the mistresses because it was one Kylan avoided as well. I noticed the uncomfortable shift in her eyes.It was silent for a moment too long, until Kiora let out a long sigh. “Kayden?” She tapped her finger against the table. “He’s a weirdo. A total airhead. Lives in his own world, and so irrelevant we don’t even have an opinion on him.”I had expected Cecilia to call out her daughter’s name, but there was nothing…“Why so?” Trinity wondered. “He seemed so nice when he came to visit Starlight.”And those were my thoughts too. Kind, quiet, almost too soft for anything malicious or violent.Kiora scrunched her nose. “Trust me. He’s weird. He looks a
Violet“My beautiful flower!” Queen Cecilia called out as we drew closer.Trinity gently slipped her arm from mine and stepped back, keeping a respectful distance.“Trin!” I whispered, glancing at her, but she gave me a small, reassuring nod.My eyes wandered to the beautifully arranged table. Light pink napkins rested beside polished plates and silver cutlery, with a few snacks carefully placed around the round table.A group of maids stood quietly in the back, keeping their distance. The two other girls at the table watched me closely, their deep, dark eyes full of curiosity, studying me like I was something strange and unfamiliar.Queen Cecilia stood, lifting the ends of her gown and scooting away from the table before anyone could help her. Then she made her way toward me with her arms opened wide and pulled me in for a hug.Startled, I hugged her back.That…was different.“Violet,” she smiled once she pulled back, squeezing my shoulders. “How did things go with Madam Renata yeste
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