Page 174 of Promise of Darkness
I only hope he can forgive me one day.
“Forever, Vi,” he promises, capturing my face between his hands and bequeathing me one last blistering kiss. “I’ll be waiting for you.”
Waiting for me to return to the Queensmoot in three more days and finally make my choice.
I just hope this succeeds.
* * *
It’slike seeing everything through new eyes.
Mother’s gleaming, watchful eyes as she resides on her throne like a bloated spider watching us approach. My stepbrother, Edain, reclining at her feet with a look of boredom on his face, despite his hot, hungry eyes that take in everything. Andraste, stoic and emotionless at the foot of the dais, her hand on the hilt of her sword and a golden circlet on her brow, as if she’s already been proclaimed princess-heir. Why did I never notice any of it? The rot in Hawthorne Castle stretches deep.
“Daughter.”
How dare she call me that?
Rage burns, like a heated coal deep inside me. It’s banked now, by necessity, not choice, but I know it will flare to life if given the slightest chance.
“Mother.”
What sort of mother would do to their child what she’s done to me?
She looks me up and down, taking in the glittering black gown I wear. “I have had a bath prepared. You look like you’ve rolled in filth.”
In her eyes, no doubt I have.
“I enjoyed every moment of it, Mother.”
Her eyes glitter. It’s hate I see there. For a second I waver, the little girl in my heart still wishing for impossible things.
But then I shake my head.
I am not unloved.
I have friends in the Evernight court. I have Thiago, and he loves me enough to fill the empty hole my mother has left. I will beat her, and I will take the happiness that is owed to me, no matter what I must do.
“Leave my sight,” she hisses. “You disgust me.”
“Not yet. Aren’t you going to welcome me home, Mother?” Mounting the dais, I take her hands in mine and lean closer, seemingly to brush a kiss to her cheek. “I will never forgive you,” I whisper in her ear.
“Forgiveme?” She goes to jerk her hands away, but I have hold of them, my nails biting into her palms.
“Yes.” I draw back, just enough to meet her eyes. “I promise you this, and I swear it thrice. I will be the end of you and your reign. I will not rest until you have nothing but ashes in your life. I will take back everything you stole from me, and I will repay the debt threefold.”
I let her go, a smile pasted on my face as I step back. “Let’s end this mockery. I think I will take that bath, after all.”
Fury mottles her skin, but she’s never one to show it. I see the nobles in her court leaning forward hungrily, as if to catch a hint of what we whisper, but I’m already walking away.
“Let us celebrate the safe return of my daughter,” my mother calls behind me, clapping for musicians.
The court becomes a sweeping whirl of light and laughter that sounds like nails on slate to me.
All I have is hope that I haven’t merely bargained with a devil for no reason.
This time, the curse must break.
I won’t accept any other outcome.
