Page 31 of Rule

I hadn’t realized my craving for the stupidgallberry juice would grow steadily worse. It was easy enough to ignore as I’dscurried from the bedroom that was most definitely not mine and down the hallwayto my own.

It wasn’t as easy to ignore as I brushed myteeth and had a shower. The realization that even though my shoulder was stillbruised, I could actually lift my arm above my head had pushed the craving backfor a moment, but it crept back in as I was washing my hair.

By the time I’d dried off and gottendressed – hallelujah, I could put my damn bra on – it was impossible toignore. My body wanted it and there wasn’t enough willpower in the world to resistits demand.

It’s not like I would be wasting it if Iasked for more, right? I was still injured. There was no blood in my urinethis morning, but my back and side were aching, and the black and purple mottlingthat had spread across my pale skin was rather gruesome looking. If they refusedto give me the juice, I would just show them the bruising, that would changetheir minds.

I walked down the hallway to the kitchen and,taking a deep breath, stepped into the room. Bella was sitting at the table, abowl of faven already in front of her along with a cup of gallberry juice. Shewas studying her father and Court who were standing at the counter with theirbacks to us. They were talking in low voices and I stared again at Bella’sjuice, my stomach cramping with need. If I moved silently enough, I could takeher juice and drink it before they even realized I was in the room.

Evelyn! What is wrong with you?

I slumped against the door jamb, rubbing myfingers across my forehead as the need for the gallberry juice thumped and thuddedin my veins. I’d been about to steal juice from a little girl… I was losing mydamn mind.

“Hi, girl!”

I smiled at Bella. “Hi, Bella.”

Both Draax whipped around, giving meidentical shocked looks. It would almost have been amusing to me if I hadn’tcaught sight of the jug sitting on the counter and forgot completely about theDraax. The jug was filled with gallberry juice, I knew it was, and my mouth wateredwith an intensity I’d never experienced.

Another painful cramp of need went throughmy belly and I stumbled into the kitchen, almost falling into the chair as Istared wordlessly at the jug of gallberry juice. I needed to apologize, neededto say something, but I couldn’t think past the need.

To my immense relief, Court grabbed a glassand filled it to the brim with gallberry juice before setting it in front ofme. I was shaking so much I had to lift the glass to my mouth using both hands.

I drank.

The cold liquid slid down my throat and arush of pleasure went through me like a heroin addict getting their first hit ofthe day. Not caring that I looked ridiculous, I drank the entire glass ofjuice in noisy, large gulps. I put the glass down and wiped my mouth with the heelof my hand.

Without speaking, Court refilled the glass.I drank it just as quickly as the first and could have wept with happiness whenCourt gave me a third glass.

The craving had subsided enough that Icould drink this one almost normally. God, it was so good. I could live offof it. Who needed food when you had gallberry juice? I took another couple ofswallows and set the half-full glass down.

Bran and Court were both staring at me andmy cheeks flushed bright red. Oh shit, why had I come down to breakfast? Thiswas obviously a mistake, but I’d needed the gallberry juice.

Now that my craving was satisfied and Icould think normally again, the mortification about my behaviour this morningwas overwhelming. What was I thinking? I was about to become queen and I’dhad no problem letting two Draax I didn’t even know touch me so intimately. Ifthe king found out…

My face blanched. If the king found out,he’d kill me. I stared wide-eyed at Court and Bran. If they told the king whatI did this morning, I was dead or worse… I would be sent back to my stepbrother.

“Human, are you all right?” Court made amotion to the glass in front of me. “Drink more juice.”

My hands shaking again – this time fromfear – I drank a bit more juice. I needed to ask them not to say anything tothe king. Hell, I would get down on my knees and beg them if I had to.

“Girl likes juice,” Bella said.

“Yes, meena.” Bran was setting bowls offaven on the table. “Eat your breakfast.”

Court was refilling my glass even though itwasn’t empty, and I gave Bella’s cup a guilty look. What if I was taking the juiceshe needed? I was a terrible person.

“I don’t need anymore,” I said. “Um, but thankyou.”

Court frowned at me as Bran sat next toBella and pushed her bowl of food a little closer. Bella had faven all overher face and he wiped it off gently.

“You need more juice,” Court said to me. “Youare not fully healed.”

“I don’t want to take, uh, your daughter’sjuice from her,” I said. “On Earth, it’s hard to get and -”

“This is not Earth,” Bran said. He wouldn’tlook at me, instead studying a spot on the wall just to my left. “There is plentyof gallberry juice. Drink.”

I flushed with embarrassment. Of course, therewould be plenty, they were gallberry plant farmers for God’s sake.

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