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But then, a voice cut through the roar of the wind, sweet yet firm. “Your Highness, I am so sorry, but I have to do this.”

Before she could react, Valda felt strong arms wrap around her, pulling her close. She smelled the salty tang of the ocean and felt a sudden sense of calm wash over her. It was as if the ocean itself had come to claim her.

Then, the person struck behind her knee and slammed her to the ground, flattening her to the cold marbled floor.For a moment, Valda struggled against the hold, still consumed by her emotions. But gradually, as she felt the presence of the person holding her, her breathing slowed, her muscles relaxed. The gusts of wind tearing through the room slowly abated, until there was only a gentle breeze left.

“Forgive me, Your Highness.” The person said again, their hold loosening. But Valda didn’t stand as unconsciousness draped around her like a dark veil.

5

Maris burst through the door with Melvian following close behind. Her best friend closed the door and locked it before releasing the breath she was holding. Maris sat on the edge of her bed, her hands trembling with fear. She’d been nervous about serving drinks inside the throne room. She never thought she would bump into the princess herself. Of course, Maris had to make a fool of herself by dropping the tray with all the drinks. But then she saw her.

Princess Valda was so close, yet so far away, consumed by pain and anger. Nobody could help her. She needed to do something to stop her from suffering. A shiver ran down her spine as she thought about what could have happened if she had not been strong enough to hold the princess back.

Melvian sat beside her, trying to reassure her. “Stop. You didn’t do anything wrong,” she whispered. “You did what you had to do. The princess was out of control.”

“It wasn’t my place to do anything.” Maris looked up at Melvian, her eyes wide with fear. “But what will happen now? What if I get kicked out for what I did?”

Melvian shook her head. “I don’t think that will happen.”

“They took her away…” Maris mumbled. “There was so much blood—”

“No one could do anything. Not even Sir Kayden. He tried to stop her and… You did what you had to do to keep her safe. They will understand that you were just trying to help.”

Maris nodded, but she still felt uneasy. She had never been so close to the princess before, and she couldn’t shake the feeling that something was wrong. “I just don’t know what was happening to her,” Maris said, her voice barely above a whisper. “Her eyes… were completely white and her cheeks…”

“I know, Maris. It was a fucking mess.” Melvian sighed and rubbed her face. “There is nothing we can do now but wait for instructions.”

Melvian was more scared than her, if that was possible. Yet, she tried to stay as calm as she could for her. Maris had no idea what her life would be without her.

Patting her back, Melvian turned and hugged her tightly. “You are not leaving this castle that’s for sure.”

Maris leaned into Melvian’s embrace, welcoming the comfort that washed over her. She knew she wasn’t alone in her fear, and that they would do whatever it took to help the princess through whatever was troubling her. But the memory of the princess’s rage still lingered. Maris knew that there was a storm brewing in the castle that she may not be able to stop.

A knock on the door made both women jump. Melvian cursed, before untangling herself from the embrace to open the door.

On the other side, the headmistress called for Maris.

Her stomach dropped the second she heard her name. Standing up, Maris pushed Melvian out of the way. Behind the headmistress, Sir Kayden stood, hands behind his back, his usual smile long gone.

Maris swallowed hard and stepped out, gave Melvian one last look and closed the door.

“I want you to go with Sir Kayden,” the headmistress, a middle-aged woman with streaks of silver hair and callused hands spoke. Her rueful smile did nothing to appease Maris’s nerves.

Maris couldn’t find her words, so she nodded at her and stood next to Kayden.

“Let’s go. The queen asked for you.”

Shit.

Nodding again, Maris followed Kayden down the hall.

It was the tense calmness that made Maris feel utterly uncomfortable. Kayden walked next to her with an air of sheer power and gentleness, yet his steps were fast, urgent. Maris tried to keep up, but her chest tightened as they stood before the princess’s chamber.Maris felt an emptiness at the pit of her stomach when Kayden nodded at the guards and then gripped the handle before turning to her.

“I want you to talk only when referred to.” Kayden’s voice was stern, serious, so different from his usual happy, mischievous, and playful self.

Maris frowned at that, yet she nodded. “Of course.”

Kayden walked in and held the door for Maris. As soon as Maris was inside, she could smell blood in the air. She covered her mouth and nose and exhaled as she tried to get the smell out of her system. As she closed her eyes, flashes of what had happened hours ago hit her with full force. The princess screaming, blood and panic in her eyes. The floor was no longer pure white, but crimson red. If it wasn’t for her tackling Valda over…