Page 107 of The Reign of Blood

“Don’t hurt yourself by going there, Alpha,” he rasps. I press my lips together, uncertainty tormenting me as I consider his words.

If I go down there and get a closer look, all I’m going to do is feel rage and anger over something that happened a long time ago. Going down there will reignite a fiery vengeance that doesn’t need any more fuel as I tread a fine line of remaining a civilized fae. If I go down there, everything I’ve worked so hard to achieve will shatter.

He’s right.

“Please get me out of here,” I whisper, hating how vulnerable my voice sounds. If he notices, he doesn’t say a word as he pulls me toward the door. I slump against the wall outside, my heart racing in my chest as I gather myself. “Thank you.”

“Don’t mention it.”

I take a deep breath, standing tall again as I roll my shoulders back just as the professor steps back into the hallway.

“Let’s take a look at the royal suite before you explore on your own, but remember my warning,” he calls out, heading back to the front entryway where the grand double staircase leads to the second floor.

I run my hand over the banister as I head upstairs, no memory coming to mind, not even as we trek down the hallway to a set of double doors at the very end. My lips twist as I consider if it’s worth stepping in there, knowing it was my father who occupied those four walls last. As the professor opens the doors, I calm a little when I realize it remains tidy and untouched. No remnants of a struggle or blood tainting the space.

“This will be the king or queen’s bedroom when the time comes. Embrace it.” His eyelids fall to half-mast as he takes a deep breath in through his nose, dropping his arms at his side.“We shall meet back at the main doors in one hour. Don’t touch anything,” he orders, dismissing everyone.

Stepping away from the room, I press myself against the wall, letting everyone else pass as I exhale slowly. “You can do as you please,” I murmur to Cassian, who shrugs.

“I’m good.”

I don’t answer, looking at the other doors that line the far wall to my right. I come to a stop outside of one that hasn’t been opened, and a human rolls their eyes at me. “That one doesn’t seem to open,” she grumbles, and I nod, but I can’t help but run my hand over the wooden panels that decorate it.

There’s something about it that just?—

My hand grazes over the door handle, and an audible clicking echoes around us before it falls open.

“You just unraveled some magic right there,” the girl whispers in awe. “Do you think… do you think that could have been your room?” she adds, eyes wide as I gape at her. It’s only when Cassian steps between us, effectively dismissing her as he grips my chin and turns my face up to look at him that I remember to breathe.

“Do you want to go in or not?” he asks, searching my gaze for the answer my mouth can’t find.

Running my tongue over my bottom lip, I nod subtly before pressing my hand against the door. My gaze darts around the room, a sense of familiarity vibrating through my bones as I step into the space, and Cassian is quick to follow after me, shutting the door behind us so no one can follow.

That girl was right. This was my room. Not just mine. Nora’s too.

My father has mentioned so many times before that our love for one another is rooted in the castle. Our friendship and bond wasn’t strengthened because of our trauma; it was already there.All the rooms in the castle and we wouldn’t sleep unless we were in the same one.

Moving into the center of the space, I cast my eyes over everything. It’s like yin and yang. One half is smattered in pinks and purples, color popping everywhere, from the bed sheets to the children’s colorings pinned to the wall. While the other half is bleaker. Blacks, whites, and grays. Pictures of soldiers and past monarchs are framed on the walls over gray bed sheets, and I know exactly whose side was whose.

I’m drawn toward Nora’s bed, the pink floral-patterned sheets pristine despite how long it’s been. Whatever magic was protecting this room was clearly working in more ways than one.

Running my fingers over the bedding, my heart feels like it’s about to burst, and I all but collapse onto the bed, trying to catch my breath.

“Are you okay?” Cassian asks, but any snarky response I have for him is halted as my eyelids fall closed and a memory flutters to my mind.

Nora is laughing beside me, kicking her legs gleefully as my chest aches and a similar laugh explodes from my lips.

“I’m coming to get you.”

“Quick, Nora. Under the covers,” I order, trying to calm my laughter to help her tug the sheets back, but it’s not as easy as I hope.

“I can hear two little flowers chuckling. Is it you?” The woman’s voice is full of joy, playfulness, and… love. “Here I come in three… two… one…”

Just as soon as I tug the cover over our head, it’s ripped away, and we squeal in delight. Delicate fingers tickle at our tummies, making us writhe beneath her, and I blink up to see the wide eyes of my mother.

Opening my eyes, I lurch from the bed, my heart galloping so wildly in my chest, I’m certain I may be sick.

“Addi?”

---