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“Don’t be like that,” he grins. I definitely see the familiarity between him and Kenzo. “Falcon is very over the top at times, protective, but he’s rarely an asshole. I think you bring it out in him. He’s a little bummed that he fucked up his first meeting with you.”

“Maybe he should have kept his hands to himself,” I mutter. “The only reason I didn’t drop his behind to the ground is because I didn’t want to ruin my dress.”

“You’re so self-assured,” he murmurs. “Falcon is very well-trained, why do you think you’d be able to kick his ass?”

“You’d be surprised what you’re capable of when your back is to the wall.” I sigh, looking back at the house. “Your brother wants a puppet, and that’s something I’ll never be.”

“Wait, excuse me? He didn’t say that. I refuse to believe he’d be that much of an idiot,” he says, moving in front of me to squat so we’re eye level. I almost crash into him, but he stops me in time. My dress is an insane billowing mass of fabric when I’m sitting down, and this may have been a mistake. I’ll need a crane to get back up. “My name is Kal, and we’re half siblings. We only reconnected about five years ago, but all he talks about is putting a strong queen on the throne.”

“That’s not at all what he said to me,” I scoff. “I was insulted, underestimated, and asked why I was so difficult. I don’t need him or his organization. You may tell your brother to shove his offer where the sun doesn’t shine.”

Grinning, his eyes sparkle. Kal is a much more relaxed version of his brother. “You’re kind of adorable. Can you even say the word fuck or are you too perfect for that?”

“I see you two share the tendency to leap to conclusions.” I sigh, lifting my foot to place it on his chest and push him back hard.

When he barely loses his balance, I roll my eyes. Standing, I shake out my skirts.

“When you’re beaten regularly for not being perfect enough, you learn to curb your tongue,” I tell him, turning away. “You both have a lot to learn about the queen. I hope that it’s not at the hands of her guards in the dungeons like I did.”

Hearing him curse as I walk away, I force myself to breathe. I think I have had quite enough peopling for tonight.

Too many memories are brought up by Kenzo and Kal of the things that I’ve survived and no doubt will continue to survive. I don’t want to remember the pain, endless, and often with no reason.

“Wait!” Kal yells, making a few people turn. My eyes are welling with tears, and I just want to go. I don’t feel playful, strong, or brave at the moment.

“No,” I rasp, continuing to walk. “I’ve given you both more than enough of my time. I think it’s time I do things my way.”

“It doesn’t seem as if your way is working very well, to hear you tell it,” Kal says catching up to me. “Fuck, why do you bring out the worst in me? Silla…”

“To answer your question,” I interrupt, making my way to the exit. “I didn’t much care if I lived or died before. There are still days when it’s a toss up, but this kingdom deserves better. If I’m the one to give it to them, then that’s what will have to happen.”

Kal and I are practically hissing at each other now as we whisper while we walk.

“Why are you so selfless? Don’t you want anything from life?” he asks, walking beside me onto the path.

“Have a good night,” one of the attendants says. “Miss? You dropped this.”

I know I didn’t drop anything. Glancing at Kal, I turn slowly and carefully. The last thing I need is to be blinded by something thrown in my face. Apparently I’m extra paranoid lately, because it’s a sheet of folded paper. Murmuring my thanks, I take it from him, wishing my dress had pockets. I’ll be sure to demand some the next time I’m pretending to be my sister.

Shoving the paper into my clutch, I keep moving. I’ll deal with it later.

Fuck, what was his question?

“It’s not being selfless when everything gets ripped away from you,” I tell him, as if we were never interrupted.

“Falcon said you have several boyfriends and a girlfriend. It sounds like you still have them.” He smirks.

Blowing out a breath, I grab his arm once we hit the gate, pushing him into a covered area where we won’t be seen.

“None of this is public. You can take this to your idiot brother, and then fuck off. I never want to see either one of you again. I’m very serious about that,” I begin, pushing my hair off my shoulder. “My people were taken from me, tortured, and they thought I was dead. Cinder has a sick fascination with me, controlling how I dress and speak. Nothing will change while she’s in power, so those are part of my reasons for removing her. Another is that I’ll probably be dead soon after I finish her mission, which is to deliver the leader of the Underground,” I tell him.

“Fucking hell, woman!” Kal exclaims, his fingers tearing through his hair in a decent imitation of how I affect Kenzo. “The little shards of truth you’re dropping are staggering. I don’t even know how to process this.”

“Do or don’t, I’m never seeing you again,” I snort. Pulling my phone out, I call for a ride share. “I’ve been underestimated my entire life and shit on. I think I’ve officially reached my fill.”

“Can we start over?” Kal asks desperately. “I was supposed to get you to give my brother a second chance.”

“To stick his other foot in his mouth? Tell him that now is the time to crawl. He’ll know what I mean.” I tell him, seeing the car pull up. “I won’t accept any other form of communication.”