Page 135 of The Forgotten Queen
“Seran,” her father said, “don’t be like that. Ezra and Renna were both very shaken up over your death.”
“I’m sure they were.” She took a sip of her drink. “And I’m thrilled to meet King Adler’s daughter. I have so much to thank her for.”
Mariele grabbed her chest. “I think…I think I might need my pills.” She looked at one of the servants. “Can you tell Cypress to bring me my pills?”
“Yes, Your Majesty,” the servant said, rushing out of the room.
Seran glanced away from her father’s sad eyes. This wasn’t who she was. She wasn’t mean-spirited and catty, but she also couldn’t sit here and pretend like she wasn’t upset about everything that had happened to her over the last year and a half.
She was angry.
She hated King Adler.
She hated Commander Stoddard, Doctor Von, and Nurse Edmay, and King McKane.
They all had taken more pieces of her than she’d given them.
Most importantly, Seran hated that she loved Marx because loving him made it impossible for her to hate him too.
And she really wanted to hate him.
She took a deep breath. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said any of that. I didn’t really mean it. I don’t know who I am.” She chuckled, though her eyes filled with emotion. “Literally, I don’t know who I am or which mask I should put on each day. I’m just a ghost of who I once was.”
Her father leaned over, hugging her to him. “It’s okay. We’ll figure this out together.” He released his hug, wiping at his own eyes. “You need more time.”
Seran nodded. “You’re right.” She reached for her cup as a sharp pain bolted through her head. Her hand missed the glass, knocking it over, sending champagne spilling over the table.
She grabbed her head, crying out.
“Seran!” Her father jumped up, bending over her. “Send for the doctor!” he barked at the servants.
She groaned as the searing ache inside of her head intensified.
Then everything went black.
44
Seran
Aharsh smell penetrated Seran’s nose, and she breathed quickly and deeply, slowly coming to her senses. Familiar voices whispered around her as she opened her eyes. Doctor Ames leaned over her bed. She hadn’t remembered him until that moment. His reddish-brown hair and freckles made him stand out.
“I told you smelling salts would work,” Doctor Ames said.
“Yes, but can you tell us what happened to her?” her father said, worry etched in his voice.
Seran gently sat up. Her head felt like someone had banged a hammer against it for the last hour.
Ames turned to her. “Princess Seran, it’s good to see you again.”
She squinted back at the doctor, trying to muster a smile.
“How’s your pain?” he asked.
She looked at her father’s worried expression. She could lie, but what good would that do? She didn’t want to have a pounding headache for the rest of her life.
“It’s pretty intense.”
Her father’s eyes filled with tears.
