Page 16 of Princess of Thorns and Ruin

“Chin up, Callas. You never know. Genevieve Damora survived the princess’ mother, so you might get lucky.”

I freeze at his answer. “Are you implying the princess might die before I do?”

He shrugs in response. “If you’re brooding for freedom, it’s the only hope you’ve got.”

“It’s treason,” I enunciate loudly.

Is he testing me? I wouldn’t put it past Jean to test my allegiance through Quentin.

My colleague flashes a quick smirk. “Come on, mate. It’s just us here. And I’m not the one who looks destroyed by his new title—you are.”

“Have you heard something?”

He rubs the back of his neck. “I was just saying we never know what might happen. Don’t read into it.” His gaze dips to the ground at the last second, and he stands to leave. “I just wanted to cheer you up.”

My chest cramps. I can’t shake this feeling…as though Quentin knows more than he lets on. He clearly regrets mentioning it, so Jean didn’t put him up to it.

Electricity buzzes in my palms and sweat pearls on my forehead. My instincts scream at me that something is amiss, and that the princess is in real danger.

Chapter 7

Lucky

ARIELLE

Who said darkness was black? The night has never held so much fascination. So many colors.

Midnight-blue waves roll over their velvety undertow in hues so deep and crisp that my eyes water. A splendid moon with yellow craters winks overhead, and the sky shimmers with purple and burgundy strokes. Roses perfume the air with aromas so thick and rich that I want to drag each of their luscious, satin petals across my tongue.

Jason and Emilia smile at me like a pair of hens watching their ducklings test the feel of a pond for the first time.

“How are you adjusting? Well, I think,” Jason asks politely.

“Yes.”

The evening has been a blur of colors, smells, and sounds. I waited for the sun to set before joining them on the balcony, its direct rays still too dangerous for my newborn skin.

I feel… awake. Alive. Energized.

Like my old life was merely a dream—or rather a slumber.

A full golden cup warms my hands, and I raise it to my lips, enthralled by the spicy taste of Leo’s blood. I drank too much from him last night, and I didn’t want to risk another slip, so when he came to me at sundown, I asked him to use a butterfly needle and tube to serve me a cup of his blood.

The powder that prevents the blood from clotting tastes weird. Maybe it’s primitive, but I can’t wait for my control to improve and his wounds to heal so I can sink my teeth into him again. I stare down at my hands, eager to experiment how different textures feel with this new skin. How Leo feels—

A loud ring blares into my sensitive eardrums, and my hand flies to cover my ears at the intensity of the sound.

Jason snaps his old-fashioned cell phone open. “Yes, the princess is here with me.” A big frown twists his face. “No, why?”

I’m supposed to leave for court tomorrow, so I’m looking forward to a quiet, uneventful night. I haven’t seen Lucas, yet, and I can’t wait to see him with my enhanced-but-still-totally-blue eyes. I’m so glad I got to keep them, the shade so similar to my mother’s—almost bluer than the old ones.

After a long pause, listening to whoever is on the other side of the conversation, Jason adds, “Is that really necessary?”

Emilia places her small hand on her husband’s shoulder. “Is everything okay?”

Jason’s red gaze darts to me as he hangs up. “Yes, but they sent a royal guard.”

“A royal guard?” I ask. “Why?”

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