Page 84 of The Nightmare Queen

“They already think you’re mad, son, bringing Obsids to this court.”

I tilt my head at him. “And what of you? Bringing in King Baelor and his spawn? After everything he set Hadar’s Guards to do. After what they are STILL DOING?! You can sneer all you want at my disobedience and for bringing in Queen Eveera, but I brought her as an aide to our kingdom. Because no matter what pathetic peace treaties you have drawn, the one thing that man does not know how to do ispeace. Look at Peverell, Mellant, and Evendell. DO THEY LOOK PEACEFUL TO YOU?!” My hands slam down at the table, mists circling around them. Iwantto Wield. To subject my father to one of the many lessons, he subject me to but—

You can’t.My conscience whispers.

“Fuck her if you want, son. Get out all your twisted fantasies if that is what it takes to rid them of my kingdom.” His stark blue eyes pierce into mine.

I give him a tight, saccharine smile. “Who knows father, maybe by the end of all this you will be rid of me, too.” The magic drags back into my body slowly. I have to coax it back into the that tiny mental box I usually stuff it away in.

I left the discussion at that. I didn’t stick around to hear his, what I am sure was a biting, retort. The pressure of this day has already been enough and arguing with him is just wasted time.

Eveera

“Tell me about them.” Damn him for asking. Damn yourself for telling the man youshouldhate.

I wish so desperately that while I tried to nose around in his mind - before he interrupted me - that I would uncover some betrayal or deceit to our deal. That he was aware of the truth of what happened to them and was baiting me, leading me into a false sense of security.

Last night was so disorienting. The personal intimacy of it, the positions we sat in. He is always finding a way to touch me. He constantly touches me.

And you let him.The voice inside pesters. I’m lingering on the little things like the weight of his head in my lap, the cadence of his voice, the circles he strokes on my skin. Heat crawls up neck, flushing my cheeks…

“OW!” The feeling of a needle pricking my side has me returning to the present. The seamstress Millicent dragged me to - at the most ungodslyhour - waves me off.

“You’ve gone stiff as a board. How am I supposed to work with this fabric on you? Hmm?” Millie giggles at the chastisement and I shoot her a glare.

She’s being fitted for a ridiculous golden headpiece by the seamstress’s apprentice. Metal juts off of her head in an effort to mimic sun rays. “The queen picked it herself!” The younger seamstress squeals while fastening it to Millie’s hair.

Millie sighs, a pleasant smile pasted on her lips. “She always does, Rosette.” Her tone is soft with the young girl. If that’s true, I’ve no doubt the fabric of my dress will either be tampered with or so heinous I won’t dare be seen in it.

“The queen is always so generous with her requests for the celebration. It’s our biggest event of the year!” The girl looks to me her excitement overflowing as she chatters on. The seamstress dressing me nods only in agreement, her old and withered eyes looking up at me. “Except you.” She says flippantly, pursing her lips.

“What do you mean?” I ask.

“Magdha.” Millicent hisses cutting off whatever the old woman was poised to say next. Instead she pats my hips and stands herself up to let her eyes roam over me. She pushes and spins me around to get a full look. “This will be enough. Rosette will find you accessories and your dresses will be in your rooms by dusk.”

The ladies rush us out of their modiste with a few thanks and kisses to their cheeks from Millicent. I’m mildly curious as to where or what the next godsforsaken task this day require will be.

To my surprise, when we get back to the castle, it’s not another errand she drops me off at but the door to my men’s rooms. “You have two hours before you’re needed back in Rorin’s rooms.” She states, her tone of voice letting me know that this is a command not a suggestion.

I shrug her off turning right around to their door, not bothering to knock. When I walk in I find Axel, Max, and Orem strewn across the furniture sleeping.

I crouch down by Axel’s ear and whisper into it. His eyes snap open at my voice, “Gods above, Evie!” He does a double take of me wiping the sleep from his eyes before reaching for a pillow to chuck Max.

Thwack!“FUCKING HELLS, brother!” Max yells rubbing his head where the pillow made contact.

“You didn’t have to wake them.” I mutter.

Axel side eyes me. “If I have to be woken up by your sunny disposition, so do they. GET UP ASSHOLES!” Orem and Max both grumble at him, throwing obscene hand gestures our way.

“I have two hours. Anyone want to blow off some steam?” The three of them jump up, scrambling to grab their weapons and follow after me. “Aren’t you supposed to be getting all dolled up or something?” Orem asks. Axel passes him up giving him a slap upside the head. “It was just a question!” He argues. “Do you want to ask questions or go stab a few things?” Axel counters. He dips his head down in submission, the four of us walking down to the training area. The room only had a few foot soldiers and guards occupying it, stares drifting to us before quickly averting away when we enter making fast work creating space for us on the floor.

The four of us form a square; Axel facing Max and Orem facing me. The younger Abrams brother gives me a wink before fading into a black cloud and disappearing from our view.

“Oh no fair.” Axel whines, “we’re using Wields?”

CLANG!With an arc of Max’s sword, he brings it down hard on a distracted Axel’s blade. “Don’t act like you don’t have any, Mecham.” The taunt was said in jest but it was too late.

SCRAAAPPPPEEE!He drags his sword’s blade against the edge of Max’s before spinning on his toe and aiming for the knees. A move Max barely blocks. “Come onnnn, Mecham. It was only a joke.”

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