Page 63 of Royal Lies

"I am so sorry, but what needs to be done must be done. You must remembereverything" The same voice said, agony and regret bleeding through its voice- my voice.

"Please, stop, just stop. I don't want to remember this. I don't want to remember what I'd done" I whimpered, my legs giving way as I crawled my way on the floor writhing in pain. I clenched my head, my fingers digging into my skull as I unleashed a gut-wrenching scream. The sound echoed through the air, my torment clear as it reverberated against the wall of my room.

Every nerve in my body screamed in unison. It felt like a series of pain and agony as I shattered the lamp against the tattered walls. I scratched at the pain in my head, my nails drilling lines down my scalp tearing out my hair.

"Everetta!" I heard a voice bellow, but from who it came from I haven't a clue. I was throwing something again. Was I using my magic? I felt a cooling sensation pass me.

No!

Nothismagic!

Neveragain!

"No, don't fucking touch me!" I bellowed knowing fully well what that cool touch could do. I don't like it. I don't want him to touch me. Who? Who do I not want to touch me? Ugh, my head just fucking hurts like hell.

"Everetta please, you need to let me help you." The same voice repeated. As I shook my head, I could feel the room shift, as I hurled something else, my magic? What spell was I using?

"No- No don't fucking touch me!" I screamed again as if I didn't know how to speak normally. How could it be so painful?

So painful, nothing but pain.

"What's going on here?" Another voice said, deeper than the other one. I'm surprised I could tell the difference.

"You have to let me take control." Another voice said as I shook my head.

"No- No- No." I must have been too distracted as something cold touched my neck.

"No, no, not again, please no—" I searched frantically into my aching head for a spell—that's right, a spell.

I could counteract his touch, but he won't leave me alone. He'll never let me be. I can't trust him. I can't be here. It hurts. It hurts. I had to cast a spell to repel his touch.

Yes, yes, this was the only way—the only way I could escape him. I'll wait for him to leave, then make my escape. I'll fake my unconsciousness for now; I have to escapehisclaws.

Chapter 19

Eli

I could hear the explosion all the way from the training grounds. I needed to cool off from my anger. So what better way than to do some light training.

I would be lying if I said it didn't shock me when I saw the mess before me.

Of course, she would do this, honestly, can't she be a little bit more mature?

I rolled my eyes at the sight; another tantrum, great. Staring at the girl before me I couldn't help but frown at her disheveled attire. What in the lords is she doing? Why the bloody hell is she so catatonic all of a sudden? Lords know any man in his right mind would turn tails the other way at the sight of mascara streaming down her eyes. Lipstick was smudged around her lower right lip. She looked like one of those street mongrels. The ones who were always hustling for their next victim. She was nothing but a scowling red mess. I looked over at the pillow lying half-mauled by the bed. Lords help me. Sighing I dragged a hand down my face trying to calm my own rage down.

"What in the world is the matter with you?" I asked. Turns out it's not something you wish to say to a screaming banshee.

Glaring at me, I could feel the death looming in the air. As if that was going to deter me; she could hold a knife to my neck and I wouldn't flinch. Rolling my eyes, I flicked my hand once more, fixing the mess of a bear cave she’d turned her room into. The lights, which had once flickered like an abandoned home, now glowed a bright amber as I gestured to the bed.

"Calm down, let’s talk. Lords know you have much on your mind." Despite my reasonable request, she didn't move. I frowned, glaring down at her. Her nose flared, eyes glowing likethe golden flames of hell, her hair as bright as an exploding sun. Well, shit, this might be worse than I thought. Could she even hear me?

"Everetta!" I warned, glowering down at her, arms crossed. I released some of my magic to tamp down the roiling heat sweltering the room.

“No, don’t fucking touch me!” she screeched. This normally would get her to snap out of it, but in her current state, it was only making it worse. The heat seemed to have intensified the more I released my ice.

What in the world is going on?

Scanning over her body, I noted the bloodied clenched fists, and enlarged pupils, and I have no doubt her toes had sprouted claws under her heels. Teeth clenched, brows drawn together, muscles tensed.

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