Page 28 of The Broken Queen

I flinched.

My wound started to hurt again, so I moved myself back along my pillows. I knew Anna had Julianna taken care of for the day so I could get some rest. At least, I hope she did. Seeing her mommy unwell would worry her and she already had enough on her plate with the possibility of a new daddy looming over her head.

I looked up at the ceiling and took deep, slow breaths. The pain was in full force now, but I did my best to ignore it. Instead, I worried about the man currently freaking out.

He came to my side, the anger in his eyes dimming to what seemed like regret and pain. I looked away. I didn't want to see the next emotion flash across his face.Pity. Remorse.Disgust.“Don’t look at me like that.”

“Can’t help it. I never should have left.”

“You’re right. You shouldn’t have,” I whispered. My energy decreased rapidly, and I was too tired to fight with him. Besides, this was all a dream anyway. I would wake up, he’d be gone, and I’d still be suffering the same nightmare.

My lids closed, and the exhaustion took over. Darkness seeped into my bones, taking me away. Vaguely, I remembered soft lips brushing against my own. It was like a ghost kissing a human.Impossibly perfect.

Chapter Fourteen

Raven

Nine years ago...

It was eerie outside. Too eerie. The sky was a mix of black, gray, and yellow. The clouds were low to the ground, low enough that it seemed I could almost reach out and touch them. The knot in my stomach twisted tighter. I couldn’t shake this feeling that something bad was about to happen. I didn’t know what it was. A storm was coming, but there was something else there. Something bad.

I rubbed my lips together and then broke the silence. “Do you know what the weather forecast is for today?”

“I’m not sure, darling. Why don’t you come away from the window and sit with me?”

I swallowed the lump in my throat and walked away from the French doors. We were in the library, Mother’s favorite part of the estate. It was a lot like Belle’s library in Beauty and the Beast. Books everywhere, wide windows, a fireplace and hardwood floors. There were two couches sitting across from each other, as well as a bay window. I was never into reading like she was, so I didn’t fully understand the draw to this room.

Another crash of thunder rattled through the house. I flinched and moved closer to her. She wrapped me in a hug and whispered in my ear. “Everything will be okay. No need to worry.”

I moved back and met Mother’s gaze. My eyes roamed over her. Her blue eyes were downcast and subdued, and the dark circles that used to be easily covered with concealer were more detectable. Her body was slouched slightly, which was unusualfor her because she always noted how a princess/queen should be sitting up straight like a lady. She seemed sad today and I couldn’t figure out why. “What’s wrong?”

She grimaced, but it was gone in an instant. “Nothing darling, just a little tired today. Are you ready for your lesson?”

My shoulders lifted. “No.” She was teaching me proper etiquette and certain things I would need to know for when I became Queen, but to me it was tedious and pointless.

She rolled her eyes. A very un-Queen thing to do, according to her. “You need to learn this stuff, Raven.”

My shoulders tensed. “What if I’m not ready to learn? I’m seventeen. I still have college, which you and Father both promised I could attend!”

She stood up and sighed. “Yes, but you also need to learn now, so you have some of this traveling with you to college. I don’t want you to come back fully unprepared. Your father insists.”

“So just because Father says we have to, that means we have to?”

She shook her head. “Please don’t be difficult. Not today.”

My eyebrows scrunched together. “I’m difficult everyday. What’s really going on? You’ve been jittery all day.”

Suddenly, a bolt of lightning struck. After, a harsh rumble of thunder pierced the still. My body jolted back. I’ve never been a huge fan of thunderstorms. They always creeped me out. When we were younger, Slade would huddle with me and watch movies while they happened. When the lights went out, he would recite poetry. He always created some type of distraction so I wouldn’t have to think about the storm, but he was currently on vacation with his family while I was stuck here learning how to be a “Queen.”

The library door swung open to reveal one of the younger security guards, Harris. “My Queen, we need to get you andthe Princess to shelter. There’s been a tornado warning in the area.”

She nodded and grabbed my hand. We hurried out of the library and several other staff members were flying past us to get to the shelter as quickly as they could. My hand flew around my neck to make sure my necklace was there/ When I realized it wasn't, I stopped. My safety net is gone. I needed it.

Mother turned to look at me, a frown etching her features. “We have to go.”

I frantically shook my head. “I forgot something in the library.”

She released a heavy sigh. “Go on, I’ll be here waiting. Hurry.”

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