Page 90 of The Call of Crimson
I shrug innocently. “Better luck next time, Prince,” I call over my shoulder as I leave the training room.
All I can think about as I make the walk back to my room is how good a bath sounds. The sweat has begun to dry, and my cheek is warm and swelling from Ayden’s hit. The burn in my muscles is a welcome relief, though. Endorphins flood my system from the workout, and I’m riding the high.
The castle corridors blur as I walk, staff and courtiers parting around me.
I barely register the voice that stops me.
“Princess Breyla, are you quite alright?” Queen Josephina’s voice cuts through my haze.
I turn sharply. “Yes. Why wouldn’t I be?”
“Ah, dear,” She gestures delicately at her lower lip. “You do know you’re bleeding, don’t you?”
I swipe my tongue across my own and taste copper. “And you smell like sweat,” Lady Charlotte adds, wrinkling her nose.
Curling my lips into a saccharine smile, faux kindness fills my voice as I say, “Oh, I had no idea, Charlotte.” I press a hand to my heart, tipping my head in mock gratitude. “Thank you for pointing out to me what sweat smells like.”
Charlotte rolls her eyes dramatically. “I’ll never understand what Ayden sees in you.”
“And I’ll never understand what Aurelius sees, excuse me, what hesawin you,” I reply without missing a beat.
Her cheeks flush an ugly shade of red, blue eyes narrowing as she fumbles to come up with an appropriate response.
“Ladies, let’s not fight and insult one another.” Queen Josephina places a hand on my shoulder, squeezing gently. “I need for us all to get along. We are to be family after all.”
All the fight leaves my body; my desire to hurt Charlotte, verbally or otherwise, is gone in an instant.
“Very well,” I relent. “I’ll be off. I’m in need of a bath.”
The queen’s hand tightens on my arm. “Breyla, wait.”
“Yes?”
“I would like you to join Charlotte and me for tea soon,” she suggests, far too pleasantly. “Perhaps we could discuss plans for your nuptials over needlepoint?”
Pure terror flashes across my face.
“I, absolutely—” I begin to protest.
“I insist,” the queen interrupts, her words firm as a familiar heaviness settles over me.
I want to resist and turn down her invitation, but I feel incapable of disobeying as I mumble, “As you wish.”
The queen smiles softly. Charlotte smirks in triumph.
“Very well. I look forward to it,” Queen Josephina says, releasing me.
The moment her hand falls away, the heaviness lifts, but the sour taste of it lingers.
Without another word, I whirl away.
Needlepoint? What did I just agree to?
I rush back to my chambers to avoid making any further unpleasant plans with people I don’t care for.
If I hurry, I might just beat Ayden to his rooms. If I can slip past the guards unseen, I can break into his chambers and finally steal back my clothing.
As I turn the corner, I collide straight into a wall of solid muscle.
