Page 16 of The Broken Queen

Raven

I woke up with a start, my heart beating at a rapid pace. Sweat poured down my face and drenched my clothes. I sat up, pushing away the heavy black comforter, rolling my legs over the bed. I looked around the room.How did I get here?I glanced down and saw that I was still in my rain soaked clothes. I frowned. I would need to do laundry after this.

I removed myself from the bed and walked into the ensuite. I pushed the red and black shower curtain back and turned on the hot water. Slowly, I stripped, peeling away the clothing one by one as it stuck to my body like glue. Once I was completely naked, I peered at myself in the mirror.

Dark circles framed my eyes, and my black hair was a stringy, clumped mess. My skin was pale.I looked like fucking death. I could probably pass as the Grim Reaper if I wanted to.

I shivered and decided it was time to get in the water. I flinched for a split second before my skin warmed up to the heat. The beads flowed from the shower head and my shoulders sagged in relaxation as the motion pounded out the stress. I stood there for what seemed like hours before I finally used my coconut body wash, then shampooed and conditioned my hair. Once finished, I turned off the water and wrapped a towel around me. I ran through the motions as I got dressed and tried to make myself presentable.

I walked out of the ensuite and glanced at the clock. Somehow, I had overslept. It was eight in the morning and I should’ve already had Julianna ready for school. Once dressed,I rushed out of my room and down the hall to my daughter’s room.

I opened the door and frowned when I walked through. Her pink and white butterfly bedroom was void of any children. I walked back out and closed the door, heading towards the kitchen. I passed a few guards on the way and they gave me a blank nod. The estate had very long hallways that had bedrooms on either side. The Queen’s quarters were on opposite sides of the estate from the King's quarters, but if I were ever to marry, we would be in the same room.

Finally, I made it to the kitchen. Helga was cooking away making breakfast and Father was sitting at the table with a paper in his hands. Julianna was nowhere to be seen.

“Well, if it isn’t Sleeping Beauty,” Father said rather sarcastically.

“Where’s Julianna?”

“She’s already been dropped off at school. You're failing miserably at your tasks, Raven.” My bottom lip trembled briefly, but I shut it down quickly. I wouldn’t show him the lingering pain he caused with his insults. I was surviving. He wouldn’t be able to control me forever.

I had to once again lock my emotions away when I was near him so his insults couldn’t affect me the way he wanted. I took in a deep breath and released it, relaxing my body in a way that the toxic environment couldn’t reach my inner walls. Once I was ready, I took a seat next to him at the table.

I could win a Grammy and he still wouldn’t be impressed. There was no pleasing this man. “Not all of us can be perfect,” I muttered under my breath, hoping he could sense the indifference rather than the battle I was fighting on the inside.

"I heard that," he said with a deep chuckle.

I frowned.What was up his ass this morning?

Helga placed a plate of scrambled eggs, toast, and bacon in front of me with a glass of chocolate milk.My favorite.

"Here you go, dear," she said in a soft tone. She was one of the sweetest people around, and we were damn lucky to have her.

"Thank you," I mumbled as I shoved a forkful of eggs in my mouth.

Father looked at me and shook his head.

"What?" I asked, as I swallowed down the eggs with gulpfulls of milk.

"Just like your mother," he muttered. It was as if he didn't want me to hear it, he spoke so low. But I did, and the pang in my chest was back.

Helga placed a plate in front of him and then set another plate across from me. I glared at the spot in front of me and raised a brow at Father. "Are you expecting company?"

He placed his paper down and grabbed a piece of bacon. He broke off a piece with his teeth and chewed. "Don't be coy, Raven."

I lifted my hands. "I'm not being coy. I'm just trying to figure out why you're being so damn secretive all of the sudden."

"Sorry I'm late," a deep voice replied, making me freeze as I held the piece of toast to my mouth.

My eyes widened when he took a seat across from me. The toast lowered back to the plate. I was sure it was just a dream. There was no way in hell Zeke was sitting in front of me. I wanted nothing to do with the asshole.

He grinned and shoved a piece of bacon in his mouth.The nerve of this two faced-

"We went over this already. Zeke is to be staying with us indefinitely."

Not if I can help it."But-"

"That's quite enough. Now eat up, we have a meeting in twenty minutes." Father finished up his meal and left the room. I assumed he went to his office to prepare for whatever meeting he arranged, and I was already regretting it.

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