Page 45 of Unkindness of Crimson Ravens
What in the Kingdom had Sandra been doing with Timothy for them to have this conversation?Gods, no.
“You will marry him for this dynasty,” Mother said firmly. “If you want your place at the throne after my death, you will do as I say,” she finished, confirming my biggest fear.
No, no, no.
“I don't want to be a queen!” my sister screamed from the top of her lungs. “Just let me leave! Let me go! I don't want to marry him! He hurts me! He hurts me, Mother! Is that why Cordelia ran away? Was it because of him? Because of you?”
Quiet tears fell from my eyes. If only I could return and take Sandra’s place to the throne. If only I could keep her safe once again.
The Queen leaned towards my sister as she slapped her hard across the face.
Despite my mind’s hardest efforts to stay logical, my heart won this battle. My hand flew toward the door that separated me from my sister, prepared to open it. I cared not for the consequences I would have faced. I cared not if this was my greeting to death herself. My sweaty hand held the handle firmly—
Francis grasped my hand with so much strength it hurt. I turned to look at him through my blurred vision. He shook his head in horror, gently rubbing my palm. More tears fell from my face, wetting my dress. Francis moved closer, holding me firmly in one place.
“You have no right to talk to your Queen this way,” Mother raised her voice. “I will not discuss my decisions with you. You do as I say without any questions or complaints.” The Queen shook her head in disgust. “You are even worse than she was.”
“If you force me to marry Timothy I will jump off the tower!” Sandra’s words broke my heart into small pieces. “I will do it!” she shrieked. “I will do it!”
The Queen walked towards the door, uncovering my view of Sandra's—full of hurt—face. This was not my Sandra. Not anymore. This was the face of a woman who did not know peace, who did not know joy.
A knock on the door rang through the room. “Take her down to the dungeon, she shall spend the night there,” the Queen gave the order calmly. “Guard this room. Do not let anyone in again: especially her.”
Several pairs of steps barged into the room, walking straight toward my sister when she started bellowing in hysteria.
I tried to free myself of Francis’ embrace, tried to get to the handle, yet his strong hands did not let me. His hand covered my mouth, as my tears fell down in helplessness.
Sandra’s screeches filled the room—a sound I’d never heard her make. A sound that would haunt me for eternity. Her voice became hoarse as the guards dragged her from the room.
“Let me go!” she cried, kicking and pushing the guards. “Let me go!” She turned to look at our mother. “She is dead because of you! She is dead because of all of you!”
Chapter 17
Intruders
Silence.
For the longest few minutes of my life, we just sat in silence. Francis did not let go of me, although his grip had loosened. He was the only reason my whole body had not shattered into small pieces, yet he could not save my heart.
“I am sorry,” he whispered into my ear.
My soul wanted to run and hide, though my mind felt empty. My body did not feel like my own, my eyes studied the wooden door through the glass that covered my vision.
This was a dream. A nightmare.
