Page 72 of Royal Lies

"You are a fuckingsnake, you've never cared about me! If you did youWOULDhave let him live. You could have just let him go, conquered another kingdom. Hell you had the Phoenix Court, so what if those lands were unclaimed by any court? There were more lands, more opportunities. I would have helped you. I would have stood by your side, I would have followed you to the ends of the realm if you'd justbelievedin me. But you didn't, youkilledhim. I told you, Ibeggedyou not to. I gave you reasons upon reasons not to conquer them. They would have given usanythingwe asked for. Even if they weren't under our thumb, or I suppose it was reallyyourthumb. But no, it was alwaysyourway ornoway. It was always about whatyouwanted, neverme! I was ok with that, I wasfinewith that. I just wantedhim, but you couldn't even give me that, right? Everything had to be yours." Her gaze was hot enough to burn even the suns. Her nostrils flared smoke as I glared straight back down at her. Taking in a deep breath to cool my own boiling rage I rolled my eyes, “I did it for you!" I began but she wasn't done.

"Me?! Me?! No,fuckthat.Heloved me, and ifyoudid you wouldn't have killed him." Her obsidian pupils were the last thing I saw before she popped herself out.

Smashing the snow-covered stone column beside me, I watched as a firm fist was imprinted into the cracked rock. It was always the same shit with her.Why can't she just see that I was acting on her behalf?!

Chapter 22

Everetta

Everything was a haze, I couldn't see anything but the roar of anger and pain, so much pain.

My head was aching, my hands were drenched.

Huh, that's odd, why were they wet? Was it stained red or black?

I looked up at the sky, my mind going numb, perhaps it was from all the constant beatings, or perhaps it was simply because I was tired.

Looking to the side I could see something, a creature, a shadow. Lifting my hand I chopped off the thing's head in one fell swoop.

Why were there so much... things?

Where was I?

I looked around but all I could see through the constant drumming in my mind and the blood was green. In some way, that too was stained black.

Ugh, it hurts, it hurts so much. My body was moving on its own. It was like someone else was in control.

What was I doing here? Where is this place, is it a meadow?Magics it hurts, why does it hurt so much? My body was moving again and I felt something rise in me, magic?

What was I doing?I don't know, I don't know anything anymore. I just want the pain to go away. I just want to go to sleep. Please some fae put me out of my misery.

Chapter 23

Eli

Light streamed in through the open window. Five days had passed since Lucarious' attempt to make a bargain with me and Everetta's dramatic meltdown. I was striding down the halls to check on Everetta. More specifically to see how she was doing; if she was awake.

Lords, she can be such a child sometimes. Snickering to myself, I shook my head, "And she asks why I treat her so. Hopefully, she's feeling better today and more awake."

Staring outside I listened to the howling winds blowing against the snow-capped mountains. The Winter Court was always surrounded by mountains but lately, it was as if the weather was growing warmer. All the more reason for me to sit on the throne. When I ruled we had the chilliest of Winters and the deepest feet of snow. Now it seems the snow wouldn't even reach our kneecaps.

Not to mention, the shadows outside the gate had been awfully quiet since my talk with Lucarious. I've been using my magic to survey those pesky little shadows on the borders since arriving here. Every fae, shadow or not, emits some form of energy signature. If one found us in the woods, it would only make sense that they might trail us here, so I made sure to keep an eye on them. If they were planning an attack I would know. Now, it seemed as if they were just disappearing. The numbers have been decreasing rapidly since Everetta'slittlemeltdown. I wonder why. Were they regrouping? The numbers before were in the thousands, always around the borders of the Winter Forest. It was like they were taking a lay of the land. They never attacked, not even daring to lay a single claw mark on the fae who ventured out of the capital gates.

My deal with Alexander should have- no, let's not think about that. That alliance was not one of my finer moments. You can never be too careful. Fae were always listening, whether it was out loud or in your head.

As if the shadows disappearing weren't suspicious enough, that bloodthirsty demon kept smiling at me with that stupid look of his. Adding to that, Everetta didn't open her door for five whole days. Not to mention that sudden heatwave, clearing the snow for nearly six hundred miles. Of course, this was the Winter Court, so it didn't take long for the snow to cover the ground once more. Still, something isn't right. Why hold a party today of all days, and for what reason?

From what I gathered, it was towelcomeus, the supposed ambassadors of the Dracool Kingdom. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to get anything exact. Mydearestlittle sister wouldn't give a single hint either, always avoiding my questions and asking about that child instead. What's with her anyway? Had she thrown another tantrum because I asked her to do some surveillance for me? Then there was that demon, I've said it but I will say it again, he just keeps smiling that damn smirk at me. Ugh! I don't like this, not at all. What in the lords is up with every fae today?!

I waved my left hand over my body. I stood dressed in a nice white blouse and a pair of black fitted breeches, along with a belt I invented myself—a small sapphire in the middle because even a man needs his accessories. Speaking of which, I'm so proud of myself for having created these new sapphire earrings coated in small diamonds, small enough to be seen as cute and not overly excessive like those worn by the women in the castle. If you ask me, those big chunky earrings were a bit outdated. Maybe these new jewelry pieces might help that child get over her little sissy fits. After all, no matter how fake this proclaimed welcoming ballmay be we both still need to attend. It's only proper. Building alliances and regrouping with our citizens are important.

As I left, I nearly forgot one important piece for the attire I wanted Everetta to wear during the ball—a nice small pendant-like necklace to go with the outfit I had set out for her.

Perfect.

A soft pale baby blue off-the-shoulder princess gown with a white pansy pattern and a flowing bottom. Along with her outfit, I'll entwine a small chain of blue pearls and sapphires for her braided crown of golden curls, and a nice pair of clear sapphires to act as glass slippers. Now all that's left is ah-there it is. I grabbed the small packet of red powder for that girl's research—lords know what she would do to get her hands on this—I suppose I'll indulge her every now and then. This should get her to come out of her room.

I could imagine it now—her bright, brilliant eyes shining as I handed it to her. Her precious research. Her going on and on about what they could do and what they might be able to do would finally cease if I gave it to her. Then I'll warn her about coming down on time for the ball because she would always be late unless I came to get her. Honestly, that child. Well, she should answer the door after she sees that I have the powder she so desperately wants.

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