Page 72 of Bride By Coronation

She backs against the wooden door, snapping, "They'll kill you if you attempt to see her."

"So what?" I bark, turning the knob.

Valentina's eyes widen. "They'll kill Fiona too!"

I freeze, my chest rising and falling in short bursts, staring at the intricate pattern on the door above Valentina's head.

"Where's the queen's quarters?" Sean questions, stepping next to us.

She scoffs. "You aren't allowed there either."

"Bullshit. She's my sister," he claims.

"So what? You aren't special. The rules apply to you too, so deal with it," Valentina retorts.

"Such a bossy little minx today," Brax interjects, a proud note to his tone.

"Shut up," Sean and I growl at the same time.

He holds his hands in the air. "Touchy, touchy."

"Shut up," Sean repeats in a harsher tone.

"Tell me what happened," I order.

"All of you go sit down, and I will," she instructs.

I stay planted.

"Go." She points.

Sean caves first, stomping toward the weights and sitting on a bench. "Start talking, Valentina."

I stand back and cross my arms.

"I'm not speaking until you sit," she warns, pinning her challenging stare on me.

I finally break and find another bench.

She looks at Brax and Vlad.

"Sit," I bark at them.

They obey.

Valentina leans away from the door. "They wheeled in breakfast. The three of us were sitting around the table, and Zara was talking."

"About what?" I ask.

Valentina shrugs. "I don't remember. Something about the twins. Everything was normal, but then Fiona said her heart was racing. Her breathing became short and choppy, and her face turned bright red."

"Does she have a history of heart issues?" I ask Sean.

He shakes his head. "No." Worry laces his expression.

Valentina continues, "The medics gave her an EKG. Aside from the elevated heart rate and shortness of breath, they said she's fine. They think it might be a panic attack."

A feeling of helplessness washes over me, and my heart squeezes with fear.

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