Page 72 of The Reign of Blood

“I didn’t think you did.”

“No, my father was adamant that if she is there, she chose to be,” I admit, watching his nose crinkle in confusion.

“What does that mean?”

“Fuck if I know, but it’s not a prize I’m interested in winning,” I reconfirm, and he nods in understanding.

Another bout of silence graces us, but this one seems to hold less hostility and more… understanding.

“Does it leave you as intrigued as it does me?” he asks, spiking my pulse as my lips rub together.

“The whole thing calls to my curiosity, but it’s a path I don’t think I’m ready to take.” It’s the truth, a vulnerable part of me, and I don’t know if I’ve shared too much.

“I understand that. I also know that even if you won, which he wouldn’t allow, he wouldn’t deliver on his promise anyway.”

My eyebrows rise. At least he can admit that.

“What will happen when I say no?” I murmur, refusing to look at him as I await his answer.

“Don’t worry about it,” he breathes, which spikes more uncertainty than him telling me it would be a death sentence.

“Cassian,” I push, turning to him with a pointed look.

“To you, I don’t know, but I wouldn’t rule out the fact that he’s got an ax to grind, and it’s aimed at your head.”

I gulp. I can sense there’s something he’s not saying, something that relates to him. “And to you?”

Silence again. But there’s nothing comforting or calm about this one. Not with the way his eyes darken and he looks at me with a void expression. It’s more unsettling than hearing his wrath.

“He’ll take great pleasure in asserting his dominance and make an example out of me for the entire kingdom to see.”

28

ADRIANNA

“Girl, you are seriously collecting these,” Flora mutters in disbelief, twirling the rose in her hand. The petals dance with the spin of her fingers, enchanting me with their beauty. “How many do you have now?” she asks, peering over it to meet my gaze.

“Ten.”

“Ten!” Her eyes widen as I nod, confirming the number of roses currently filling my vase.

“Aren’t any starting to wilt?” Arlo asks from behind her, frowning down at the flower as if its mere existence confuses him.

I cock a brow and he rolls his eyes at me as Flora speaks. “You’re keeping them alive,” she assesses correctly.

Taking the rose from her hand, I smile and rush back inside to add it to the vase with the others. “They’re pretty,” I offer in explanation before shutting my bedroom door behind me.

“You’re such an earth fae,” she remarks, making me roll my eyes as Arlo scoffs.

“She’s aneverythingfae.”

Flora turns to him with a stern look on her face as she plants her hands on her hips. “I said you could come if you were quiet.You’re not being all that quiet, and actually, she’s aroyalfae, not an everything fae,” she states, and he makes the motion of zipping his mouth shut and tossing away the key.

I bite back the smirk threatening to spread across my face, but neither of them notice as we head downstairs, making it outside without running into anyone. Part of me wishes we did. Part of me wishes an issue would arise so I didn’t have to be subjected to the pain I know today will bring.

Shopping.

Not just any shopping,dressshopping.

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