Page 105 of A Kingdom of Shadow and Ash

Alina turned sharply, meeting her mother’s gaze with a boldness she did not quite feel.

‘No.’

‘Excuse me?’

Alina’s pulse thundered in her ears. A ripple of fear unfurled in her stomach—she had not meant for it to sound so sharp, so final. But it was too late now.

‘I said no.’

Queen Cyra laughed—a sound without humour, dismissive and cool. ‘Stop being ridiculous, child. Come on.’ She reached out, fingers aiming to clasp Alina’s arm, but the princess stepped back, just out of reach.

It was a small defiance.

But it was enough to summon the first crack of true irritation in her mother’s features. ‘I am growing angry, Alina.’

‘I do not care.’ Alina inhaled slowly, willing her hands to stop trembling. ‘I do not wish to marry prince Zahian. Irefuseto marry him.’

She had not meant to follow Kai’s advice so…aggressively. But her own mouth had betrayed her, and now there was no going back.

Her mother’s face darkened, all traces of feigned patience vanishing.

‘You will do what is best for this family. You will putusfirst instead of yourself, you selfish girl,’ the queen spat.

‘Likeyouhave done with your own children?’

The slap came before the pain.

A sharp, cracking sound that shattered the silence.

Alina gasped, her breath stolen from her as her head snapped to the side. The force of it sent her reeling, her knees threatening to buckle. A burning sting bloomed across her cheek, and before she could stop herself, tears welled in her eyes.

She had been struck before. But never like this. Never with such force. Never with such finality.

The queen’s chest rose and fell rapidly, but she composed herself quickly, smoothing the front of her gown as if nothing had happened. She turned towards the mirror, checking her reflection, ensuring that not a single golden strand of hair was out of place. Her voice was cool, detached. ‘I will give you a few minutes to clean yourself up. I expect to see you in thegardens in five minutes, Alina.’

Then, without another glance, she swept from the room, the door clicking shut behind her.

Alina did not hear her leave. She did not hear the hushed murmurs of her servant as gentle hands pressed a cold cloth against her cheek. She did not feel the dampness against her burning skin. She simply sat at the edge of the bed, staring blankly at the window, at the clear blue sky beyond.

For the entirety of her life, she had done everything that was expected of her.

She hadobeyed.

She had followed therules.

She had sat in silence while men spoke over her, laughing when she dared to have an opinion on matters far toocomplexfor a woman to understand.

She had been a doll. A beautiful, delicate, empty thing. A doll made to smile, to be gazed upon, to be envied. And now, she was something far worse.

Now, she was acommodity.

A body to be sold for power. Her dreams, her desires, her fears—none of it mattered.

She was not a person.

She was not a princess.

She was atool.

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