Page 173 of Vengeful Princess

Cold air, thick with the tang of smoke and chemical fumes, irritated my nose when I stepped out of the rear door. The science labs behind the cafeteria were on fire, the flames reaching so high the nearby spruce pines were in serious danger of turning into giant torches.

Had someone left a Bunsen burner on? I had no idea what had caused the fire, and I hoped there were no casualties, but a small part of me was grateful for the distraction. Without it, there was no way Eden would have let me leave.

I could hear shouting in the distance, overshadowed by sirens and a noisy fire alarm. Students were being herded on to the athletics field, presumably for a roll call. Given how chaotic things were right now, and how drunk most people were, nobody would think to check my room.

It should give me enough time to change into a warmer outfit, collect my go-bag, and sneak off. I’d take Eden’s car; it was still parked in the student garage.

I jogged up the stone staircase to my tower room, cursing Eden for making me wear such stupid heels. There wasn’t a soul about. No music, no chattering, no nothing.

With every step I climbed, my heart ached a bit more. I felt grubby and emotional, which wasn’t like me at all. I was usually a pro at pushing every emotion down and locking them away.

Feelings were dangerous.

They affected my judgment and made me weak.

If I’d stuck to my task and left the pills in Cassian’s bathroom, I could have been out of here days ago. Then I wouldn’t have had to face the guys and see the shock and betrayal on their faces.

They must hate me right now. God knows I hated me.

But none of that mattered. I needed to get home and make sure Verity was safe.

My thighs chafed, reminding me Kyril stole my panties and hadn’t used a condom,again. Fucking Kyril. That was another disaster I needed to fix ASAP. The last thing I needed was a baby.

There was no way my father would believe it was a goddamn Christmas Miracle.

I jogged down the short corridor to my room. One swipe of my keycard and the door opened. Before I could react, a hand grabbed me and threw me onto my bed. I reached under my pillow for the gun I kept there, but it was missing.

“Tut tut,principessa, you have lost your edge since being in this stuck-up school.” Torrance chuckled. “I warned him that would happen, but he didn’t listen.”

This was bad. Really bad.

“Why are you here?” I forced every ounce of revulsion and anxiety down, fixing my face back into its usual blank slate. “I was going to catch a flight tomorrow.”

“Really? Your card has been canceled, so how did you plan to pay for it? By fucking some guy and stealing his wallet?” He hummed, pretending to think for a moment. “I suppose that would make sense for a whore like you.”

Torrance loomed over me, grinning.

“The time for games is over,principessa. Your father wants you home.”

“I need to get changed,” I told him, uncomfortably aware of my no-underwear situation.

His eyes raked over my fitted red dress. “No need to change on my account,” he smirked. “And I’m sure your new husband will love the slutty look.”

The world stopped turning as the blood in my veins turned to ice.

“Husband?”

Torrance smirked. “Oh, didn’t daddy tell you? He’s agreed to a bride contract with Konstantin Marku. He’s taking you and Verity together.”

Oh god. “Verity? But she’s just a child!”

Torrance shrugged. “Marku doesn’t give a fuck. He wants an heir. It makes no difference to him which one of you pops a baby out.” He looked at me with disappointment. “If only you’d followed your father’s orders and kept your legs shut. He had high hopes for you,principessa, but now you’ll have to put up and shut up.”

I’d have to put up and shut up? Not a chance. That wasn’t who I was.

I sank back onto the bed, my mind whirring as I tried to think of a way out of this mess.

“Where’s Verity?” I asked, playing for time, but Torrance had had enough.

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