Page 47 of Reign of Betrayal

“Well, this is where I leave you. I have to meet with Vanna, but I will see you later.” She leans in, kissing my cheek and heads back down the hall.

For a moment, I watch her retreat, warmth blooming in my chest. Maybe… maybe this is what it feels like to have a sister. The thought stings—bittersweet and heavy. Elm and Larah had been like family, too, until Larah was taken from me. My heart squeezes painfully, but I push the thought aside. Now isn’t the time to drown in grief.

Taking a steadying breath, I place my hand on the heavy door and push it open. The library greets me with the scent of old parchment and the soft whisper of turning pages.

And for a moment, just a moment, I feel like I can breathe again.

Ibegin to walk through the palace, fatigue weighing heavy on my limbs. I know I should report to my father and Vanna about Wemdrah, but exhaustion is relentless, tugging me toward sleep. Just before I can head to my bedchamber, Lilyana appears, practically running down the corridor toward me. As always, she embraces me without hesitation—my little sister, warm and affectionate.

“She is in the library,” she says, a teasing light dancing in her eyes.

I raise my brows, pretending to be confused. “Who?”

Lilyana’s smile widens knowingly. She walks away without elaborating, but we both know exactly who she is talking about. As soon as she’s out of sight, I pivot and head in the direction of the library.

Navigating the labyrinthine hallways, I finally reach the library’s vast expanse. The towering shelves stretch endlessly, holding countless volumes that seem to whisper the weight of history. Dimly lit by a few candles, the library sits idly in an eerie ambiance. The appeal of knowledge and secrets calls to you from every corner.

Shadows dance among the rows, creating natural cover for me to blend in. I send out my magical shadows. They skitter silently in search of her. It doesn’t take long—they know who I’m looking for. Camouflaged by my magic, I creep along the edges, observing.

Reign looks worn but far healthier than the last time I saw her. She is pulling books out and sifting through them. She stops on one and reads for a few moments before a devious smile spreads across her beautiful face. Her eyes dance with devilish delight as she skims the pages. Sasha had mentioned Reign’s love of reading, and I’d made sure her books were always replenished. Seeing her enjoy herself, even for a moment, feels oddly rewarding.

I spot another prisoner lurking at the opposite end of the bookshelf, watching Reign. I don’t like the feeling I get in the pit of my stomach. What is he doing looking at her? What does he plan to do? Now that I look at her again, I notice how flattering her attire is. I’m suddenly aware of how her tunic’s undone buttons reveal too much. If she bends over… The thought alone sets me on edge. That just won’t do.

I decide to watch him. He slowly creeps up behind her. He grips her arm, spinning her around so her back is against the thick sturdy bookshelf. He has a knife to her belly and a hand to her throat.

“I loved him! And you…” he spits out, rage darkening his eyes. “You killed him! You killed Jaime.”

“I did, Jake. And the pathetic weaklings with him. You couldn’t best me in the Hollows and you won’t now. So, take your steel and go elsewhere.” She smiles and his grip tightens on her throat. She shows no sign of struggle except her face starting to turn a particular shade of red. I want to watch, to see what she will do, but I can’t take that risk—not with her.

I step out of the shadows. I ensure my footsteps are loud and echo ominously on the hard stone floor—each step a promise of a slow and painful death if something happens to her. I have my shadows cast out around me. They rise and swirl menacingly like something from a nightmare. They both turn and look at me. Jake immediately lets her go and rights himself.

“Well, well, well. What do we have here, a tryst in the library?” I smile deviously, knowing my words will get under Reign’s skin. I look at her. “I didn’t know you were into knife play and erotic asphyxiation. I’ll have to remember that.” She scoffs loudly and I run my knuckles down the side of her face. She flinches away. Gods, she is adorable when angry.

I turn my attention to Jake. I want to strangle him with my shadows, but I need to feel his skin under my palm. I grab him by the throat, feeling his quickened pulse pump under my fingers while I slam him into the bookshelf with enough force to rattle it.

“Did your King tell you that you are not allowed to harm other contestants while in the palace?” I know my eyes will give away the rage burning inside, and if they don’t, the shadows rising behind me will.

He tries to speak, but I’m squeezing his windpipe. “I can’t understand you. Did you say something?” I ask mockingly.

“He… did…Your Highness.” He finally gets it out. His face is the color of a spring berry. I let him go, and he drops to his knees, gasping for air. “If I see you attack another contestant, especiallymytoy…” I gesture to Reign. “I will kill you where you stand.” He looks up at me with angst and fear in his eyes. “Remember, I am the monster in the shadows. You won’t even see me coming, but I see everything. Now, go.” I send tendrils of black shadow to dance around him as he stands and scurries off.

I turn to Reign. Her eyes are blazing with fury, and she steps back, pressing herself into the bookshelf as I approach. My gaze travels down to her partially open tunic. Without a word, I reach forward and begin buttoning it closed.

“I am not your toy!” she snaps, her voice trembling with anger.

A lopsided grin spreads across my lips as I finish buttoning her up. “Oh, Reckless, but you are so fun to play with.”

Her frustration only intensifies. “Why? Why did you interfere with Jake? I could have and would have handled him.” Her voice is sharp, cutting through the tension.

“You need to work on your thank yous. A little gratitude wouldn’t hurt.”

“Gratitude? You just made me look weak! And for a prisoner, that is an invitation for trouble. Now he?—”

I cut her off. “You aren’t a prisoner anymore, Reckless.” My fingers trace softly over the reddening marks on her neck, a bruise already forming.

She bats my hand away after a moment, staring at me. It feels like she is trying to look into my soul, but the problem is I don’t have one. I can feel her slowly slipping under my layers, one by one, and I don’t like it. I feel exposed—vulnerable. I shouldn’t have stepped in. I shouldn’t even be in here.

“I can become a prisoner again at any moment. I—” she stops talking. I can see her mulling over what to say or what not to say. “I… I heard there are gardens around here. Can you point me in the right direction? I need fresh air.” She looks upset, irritated even. I’ll leave it for now.

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