Page 59 of Cursed Shadows 2

It’s not an accusation. I speak it like the truth it is—all the evidence I ever needed to know how insignificant I am.

Each time father held me when I cried after spilling pudding, or when I wanted a new dress and Pandora wanted aknife, but I received it from the budget and Pandora was neglected.

It was never favouritism, love or adoration. It was intention, to make me into what and who I am.

Yes, father loves me. But not enough.

I turn on my sister, I see the grim set of her mouth, and I hate her so much I want to shred her face with my nails. “Father means for my rape.” I take a step towards her. I hear father flinch behind me. “You mean for my death. Which is worse, sister?”

Pandora looks as though I slapped her across the face. A part of me wants to. Instead, I shove into her shoulder as I storm off.

Behind me, harsh footsteps keep my pace.

I’m halfway across the offices when my sister shouts after me, “You truly mean that? You believe that I mean for you to die?”

I call over my shoulder, “You would have taken the potion if you had my wellbeing in your heart.”

I shove through the main door and out into the foyer.

Contenders are strewn about, moving through the halls for the quarters, the offices, the harem, finishing all their needs and matters before the first passage starts in two phases.

I stalk around a youngling, some years old and in my way. The son of an official, I don’t doubt, and I find I hate the boy, too. I hate everyone and everything, and I want all their suffering to match mine.

The rage is too strong. I need to get out of here, get to the tower.

But I almost stagger at the sight of him.

Across the foyer, at the foot of the wooden staircase, Daxeel stands with Samick and Caius. All three of them have their intent stares on me, then shift them to the female who comes up to my back.

Pandora snatches my arm before I can reach the stairs. She yanks me hard enough that I stumble before I turn on her.

“I did not take the potion, because the seed is enough,” shesnaps at me, and the ferocity of her stare means all patience and pity has been thrown aside in favour for all the slights I’ve thrown at her.

She’s reached her breaking point with me.

Still, I lift my chin and take a purposeful step towards her. Not even father by the doorway of the offices can cause my hesitation.

‘The seed is enough.’

I sneer my answer in her face, “Obviously fucking not.”

Her teeth bare with a snarl she aims down at me.

Hand around my forearm, her fingers grip like flesh eating vines.

I wince.

A tug of my arm does nothing to loosen her strength, and she holds me still.

I don’t back down. Pain hisses my voice, “If you cared so much about me, you would terminate.”

“Terminate?” she snarls the word down at me like it’s a poison. “One thing father did wrong in raising you to be this brat that you are, it was to delude you into believing you are at the centre of the universe. Not everything is about you, Narcissa.”

A yelp escapes me. She throws my arm from her grip with such force that I stagger back.

Father steps closer, moves like a wolf coming to break up a fight between its pups, but then his stare turns feral as it lifts—

And IfeelDaxeel moving closer.

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