Page 101 of King Alejandro

“Go play with Sky, Kat…” Dante said coldly. He was angry at me, too. I didn’t know what I did wrong to upset him.

“Dante, be gentle,” Mama scolded gently before she came over and put her arm around me.

“I’m okay,” I whispered, forcing a smile.

“Queen Luna, may I go to my room?” Enrique asked Mama suddenly. He wanted to go already? He didn’t talk unless someone talked to him…

“Yes, of course,” Mama smiled.

“I’ll take you,” Aunty Mari offered.

He stood up silently. I hoped he’d turn and look at me, but he didn’t. Not even once…

“Don’t bother trying.” Dante’s angry voice came. I blinked and looked at him.

“Dante…” Delsanra said gently, shaking her head at him.

“No. She needs to realise he is the enemy.”

“He isn’t,” I said feeling sad and upset. Why didn’t Dante get it? Enrique wasn’t bad.

“Dante, please,” Mama murmured.

“Heed my warning, Kat, stay away from him. Remember, he is not a friend.”

“Stop it! Stop saying that! Enrique hasn’t done anything for you to hate him! Stop being nasty!” I cried, jumping up from Mama’s hold. Tears filled my eyes as I stared at Dante.

“Dante, don’t. Please, for me,” Delsanra said weakly.

“She’s going to do something stupid and regret it. Trust me. I don’t trust him,” Dante shot back; his red eyes full of anger.

I didn’t understand why he hated Enrique, why Daddy had Enrique watched like a prisoner. Enrique didn’t do anything wrong. What Daddy and his papa were doing to him was wrong!

“Baby, don’t cry,” Mama whispered, trying to hug me, but I pulled away.

“I hate you!” I cried at Dante, casting him a final glance before I ran from the room.

I didn’t like being mean, but Dante was making me sad. I felt miserable inside. I was always scared, and I knew Mama wasn’t well. Dante wasn’t well either, and I was horrible for being mean to him, too.

“Kat!” Mama called.

I ran faster. I wanted to hide. I needed to get away. Turning a corner, I quickly hid behind one of the large vases, wrapping my arms around my knees as I breathed steadily. I didn’t want anyone to find me…

“Kataleya…”

I jumped to see Mama kneeling on the ground in front of me. How did she find me? I looked down, realising she must have seen my dress. I broke into tears, feeling awful for behaving like that, but she simply pulled me into her arms and hugged me tightly.

“Things are going to be okay. I promise” she whispered as I cried into her chest.

“I’m sad, Mama, it’s hurting here,” I sobbed, patting my heart.

“Oh, baby, I’m so sorry,” Mama whispered. There were tears in her eyes, too.

She held me tightly, rocking me as we sat on the floor in the hallway. The beating of her heart and her smell soothed me. We stayed sitting there until I heard Daddy approach. I kept my eyes closed. I didn’t want to talk to anyone…

“Why are my girls sitting on the floor out here?” Daddy’s deep voice asked.

“She had a small argument with Dante,” Mama replied, kissing my forehead. Daddy sighed, and I heard him bend down. He kissed my forehead, his beard tickling me.