Page 27 of The Broken Queen

I stayed on the floor next to my bed and leaned my head against it. I was too drained to do anything else, and the pain was increasing. I would never understand why he hated me so much.

That scared little girl that I thought I buried in the deepest pits of my heart, was starting to make her way to the surface. I didn’t want her to come back. I was better off numb. Better off not asking questions, and I was damn well better off being a stone cold bitch. I placed my face in my hands and let out a few shaky breaths. I haven’t been this way in a long time.Broken. Weak. A shell of my former self.

Silence echoed across the room until there were footsteps along the floor. I stilled. I forgot he was still here. He just saw all of that.

I removed my hands as a pair of black boots filled my line of vision. He stood above me, but I didn't dare look. I couldn’t see the disgust and disappointment. He knelt down and his fingers lifted my chin. I winced when his stormy gaze zoned in. I was sure there was already a bruise forming where Father hit me. I would have to cover it up with extra makeup now. Lord knewI wasn’t allowed to go out showing any signs of weakness.The Queen of Amenida mustn't be weak.

His gaze hardened. “He’ll pay.”

I stiffened. “What?” My question came out as a whisper.

His fingers stroked my face. “No one is allowed to touch you but me.No one.”

I couldn’t help it. A strangled laugh escaped my lips. He frowned. “You’ve got to be joking right?”If he only knew...

His eyebrows scrunched together. “Why would you think I’d be joking about shit like that?”

I raised myself on shaky legs and stood up. He stood with me and crossed his big arms over his chest. “You’ve been gone for three years. You left without so much a goodbye and now what? You’re back just like that? A lot can happen in three years, Slade.A lot.”

His jaw clenched. “Who?”

Is he serious right now?He was acting like a jealous boyfriend, trying to mark his territory. He gave me up.This is his fault.

“None of your business!”

He took a threatening step closer, backing me into the nightstand. “Tell me.Now.”

Tears started to fall down my face. Ihatedhim for doing this to me. For making me weak. “No. You left me! Why should I tell you a Goddamn thing?”

“Whether you want to believe it or not, you are mine. You were supposed to wait. Why the fuck didn’t you?”

All I saw was red.How dare him!I resisted the urge to slap him. My hand curled in a fist. “Don’t act like you give a fuck. You never have and you never will. All I’ve ever been to you is a toy you can play with whenever the fuck you want!”

Before I could blink, I was planted on the bed with him hovering on top of me. His gaze burned, penetrating me. Heleaned in like he was about to kiss me, but placed his hand gently on my throat.

His eyes blazed. “I don’t care what sick and twisted arrangement you have with that fucker, but it ends now. You aremine. Julianna ismine. This Kingdom ismine. Next time you forget, there will be consequences. If that mother fucker touches one hair on your gorgeous head, you’ll be punished. I have a plan and I need you to not fuck it up. Do you understand?”

I pursed my lips, my body shook with the involuntary tremors of fear mixed with anger. The arrangement Zeke and I had was not for my benefit. Ididn’twant him to touch me. I couldn’t let him harm Julianna. It just wouldn’t happen.

Slade’s grip tightened on my throat. “I’m waiting, Raven.”

“There’s something you need to know.”

His eyes narrowed. “Oh yeah? And what’s that?”

Feeling sick to my stomach, I licked my lips. Not ever wanting him to know about any of this, I steeled myself and looked him in the eyes. “The arrangement is not something I can end without consequences.”

His shoulders tensed and his grip tightened, making it difficult for me to think. “I’m getting impatient.”

“I don’t want...I don’t have a choice. It’s not ...” I took a shaking breath and blurted out the disgusting truth. “If I don’t follow his...desires, he’ll hurt Julianna.”

A switch had flipped, he released his grip, and I was able to breathe. He climbed off and started pacing the floor. I sat up and remained quiet to let him gather his thoughts.

He placed his hands in his brown hair. Suddenly, his powerful gaze met mine once more. “Did he...” He couldn’t seem to finish the question, but I already knew what he was asking.

I looked down at the floor, willed myself not to cry, and slowly nodded.

“Fuck!” he yelled.

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