Page 65 of The Broken Queen

Tears welled up in my eyes and I shook my head. I would never be okay, and I didn’t think I could ever tell Slade how his best friend betrayed him like that. So this would be another secret I would never be able to tell him.

Elijah did say one thing that rattled my ears, and I think he was right. Slade would never want me if he found out the truth about this.

Seeing the pain written all over my face, Markus came and enveloped me in a hug and the tears started to flow. We weren’t super close, but he was someone I could count on. He was family. And I prayed that he would keep my secret, because I feared when it came down to it, Slade wouldn’t believe me. And that would break me.

I blinked out of the horrific memory that came rushing back. To this day I had still never told him what happened. Markus had kept my secret after I begged and pleaded for him to. He wanted me to tell Father, but that wouldn’t have done me any good. He probably would’ve made some stupid comment or laughed in my face.

“Are you okay?” Slade was standing in front of me, trying to figure out what was going on. There were other pressing matters that had to be taken care of, and I was still pretty pissed at him. I wasn’t ready to let go of this secret. Especially not with the way they were hanging around each other all the time. Elijah was his best friend, if he found out he betrayed him, it would ruin him. Not to mention, would he even believe me?

It took him reading my journal to believe that I didn’t frame him. Assault and rape were such scary subjects because when it truly mattered, people didn’t believe the victim. Especially if the assaulter was in some form of power, and Elijah was his right hand man. I didn’t trust that Slade would fight for me. He already wasn’t fighting for me like I’d hoped.

“No.”

He came and stood around the counter, close enough to reach out and touch. I wanted him. I wanted to forget every worry, and to ignore what was coming. I loved him, but part of me also hated him.

He was about to hand me over to a monster that would ruin me. I’d never compared Slade to Father, because they were two completely different people with different personalities and let’s face it, Slade had a heart. Father didn’t. But the way Slade was acting, as if I didn’t matter to him at all, that fucking hurt.

We were in a revolving circle, and I didn’t think we would ever be on a clear path to a quiet future.

Instead of pouring my heart out to him, I decided to go another way. It was clear that if I wanted to get out of the predicament I was in, then I would need to fight for myself. None of the men in my life were going to do it for me. If I had to put a mask on and play happy, then I would.

I swallowed the lump in my throat, “Can you take me back to my car?”

I looked around at the breakfast he had made. Pancakes, bacon and egss.My favorite.I wasn’t hungry though. I’d somehow lost my appetite and I just wanted to get away from him, so I could make my own plan of action.

If he wanted me to sacrifice myself, then fine. I would do it.

But on my own terms.

Chapter Thirty-Four

Raven

Without much argument, Slade took me back to my car. I asked him to keep Julianna with him so I could work on my game plan. He made it clear that he still wanted to talk and tell me everything, but I didn’t want to hear it. He could have his own plan, but I was tired of waiting around for someone to save me. Clearly, I was on my own in this world, and if I wanted something done, I would have to do it myself.

While I still wanted answers, I knew in time, I would get them. If he really was the heir to the throne, that meant that once I was free of Father and Zeke, I could go make a life for myself and Julianna somewhere that wouldn’t have the public eye raining down on us.

Part of me wanted it to work with Slade. To be able to build a life together with Julianna, even if that meant staying a royal. Things would be better by his side. I knew that by just seeing what he had created. That would never happen if I couldn’t get free of my demons.

I made it back to the estate when it was already dark out. The winter time brought on the darkness at an earlier time since the time changed. I hated it because Julianna had less time outside, and shelovedbeing outside.

I made my way up the stairs, the fortress being heavily guarded by guards who were trying to keep out any threat they could. Or, more importantly, keeping the innocent public eye away from what Father really had going on behind closed doors.

I opened the door and met Anna, who looked like she was on her way out. “Oh, hey! I was hoping to go over some things on the wedding front with you today.”

A laugh escaped my lips.Of course she was. It’s not like they wanted to shove the wedding down my throat.”Well, you’re in luck. I’m ready to plan. Also, I want to move the wedding up.”

Her brown eyebrows rose and her eyes grew.Guess she wasn’t prepared for that one.“Move it up? Why do you want to move it up? You know what? Nevermind! This is great news. I’ll work on the arrangements. I know the King and your fiance will be pleased to hear this information. Tomorrow we will go dress shopping and...”

I cut her off. “Don’t worry, I have a dress already picked out.” If I was going to my own funeral, then I would be wearing the dress I wanted.

Her eyes narrowed, but she smiled. “That’s great then! We can get everything else ironed out tomorrow. I will talk with the King about everything in the morning.”

She left shortly after that, and I quietly made my way to Father’s office. She wouldn’t need to tell him, because I was going to tell him myself. I need to move the plan along quickly. Surprise was the best way to catch everyone off guard, and I needed Zeke to be caught off guard.

Markus was standing outside of the door, listening to the yelling that was going on inside. He gave me a quick smile and nod, then went back to his stoic expression. “Who is he yelling at?”

“Someone who screwed him over in a drug deal and got a but load of money for it. Pretty sure he’s going to throw him in the dungeon and torture him. He’s pissed. I haven’t seen him this mad in a long time.”

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