Page 42 of Royal Lies

This fucker.

I flicked him back.

"Ow!" It was now his turn to cup his right hand over his left hand. He glared back at my smiling face.

Then the bastard just had to have the last laugh and flicked me back.

Asshole!

So of course I had to make it even, again. Before I knew it our hands were hitting one another. Damn, couldn't he just give me a rest? I was clearly in the right. After all,hewokemeup frommyrestful sleep.

"Stop it!" I scowled over my hands at him.

"You!"

"For shadow's sake, both of you stop it. It's morning and I am pretty sure the whole castle can hear you two bickering like little kids." Luna crossed her arms looking as red as her hair was purple. Her eyes narrowed into cool galaxy-colored slits. I don't know what she's so pissed about, I mean it was Eli's faultto begin with. She glared at both of us. It was as if she needed a consensus so I nodded, and Eli just rolled his eyes. It seemed to satisfy her enough though as she turned back she tossed over her shoulder, "The king requested an audience with us. We're five minutes late thanks to you two".

With that said. It was like the serious switch flicked on for Mr.Unfair.

Eli was already making a move to pamper me up. Ugh. I hate getting all dressed up, why can't I just, you know, go in my nightgown?

Chapter 14

Everetta

As I gazed at the numerous paintings lining the frosty walls, they looked less like decorations and more like trophies for former rulers to flaunt their times on the throne with. Like seriously what the hell was that fluffed-up mustache supposed to show? Was that guy some sort of mustache enthusiast? Is that what he spent all the gold behind him on? Did he waste the court's wealth on grooming? Then again what would I know I'm not from the Winter Court. I mean, seriously, whoisthis individual?

And that old-fashioned hairstyle on the guy in the right painting, even I know that just makes him look old. So did he live a long life? Is that what I'm supposed to be seeing here? Ew, who wants an old guy as a husband let alone lining the halls of the castle?

The background of all these paintings was so basic. They were practically identical. Just a monarch sitting on a throne of ice and sapphire. It’s a fill-in-the-blank situation. All the necessary information is completed now all we need is a picture. I couldn't help but burst into laughter at the sight; it was genuinely so stupid. The paintings had no sense to them at all but bragging rights.

Back in the Griffin Court, any ruler who didn't contribute to improving court life was forgotten. Their names would be buried into the ground. No fact, no mentions, and certainly no portraits were hung about them.

I blinked at the sudden venom creeping into my thoughts as the memory flooded me. Was that what happened in the Griffin Court? If so then I'm sure my portrait was painted. I had to be a great ruler.

“You were, and you will be again.” A whisper in the wind flew past through my ears as I frowned. Looking around I tried searching for the source of the feminine voice only to be greeted with a scowl.

"Everetta!" Eli’s eyes were doing that squinty thing again, narrowing them pupils at me. It felt like he was trying to laser-beam my soul. I scrunched up my face in confusion—what's his deal? I was just umm, admiring the painting, ya admiring.

"What, I was just looking at the paintings. Getting to know the history of this place ya know?" Hands on my hips I puffed up my cheeks like a squirrel, trying my best not to let the roaring giggles in my stomach burst out.

Let's be real, how could anyone genuinely admire that mess? There was no way I could say anything else without Eli finding out I was mocking those ugly spectacles. It was like a big ol' uh-uh in my book.

Eli let out this gigantic sigh, and I could practically see the disappointment hanging around him like a rain cloud over all our heads.

Stepping closer to me, he started to do that thing again. The one where he talks down to me like I don't understand what is going on. Like he was trying to let me down easily. Trying to say I wasn't ready. He was talking to me as if I was some kid. I was not a kid.

"You know what, why don't you go and scope out this place? Ok? This would probably just be a repeat of the last meeting's objectives. I'm sure the Witch- I mean… L- Luna and I can handle this, ok?" I frowned, taking note of the reprimanding tone in his voice. Why was he pinching the bridge of his nose? What the fuck does he have to be exasperated about I did nothing wrong! All I did was look at some dumb paintings!

Was Eli seriously removing me from this meeting?We've always been together since-

A throbbing ache started to form at the back of my head. It was like a rhythmic beating low but present. Wincing, I frowned. It felt like someone was playing dictionary with scrambled images in my mind. Find the image that best suited the description except the image was scattered in pieces.

"Ah!" I clutched my head but the thumping was only getting louder and louder. Pressing the heels of my palms against my ear as if that would dim the sound down and respectively the throbbing. It felt like a million giants stomping around in my brain. It was only getting worse as a burning sensation started to sear away any of my thought processes only to feel a cooling touch against my arms.

"No!" I screamed hurriedly backing away like the implied scared little child I was, afraid of a strike from my parent.

"I-I'm fine. I don't need any help."

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