Page 21

T he cursed roses I haven’t seen since childhood bloom before me, fragrantly sweet and beautifully dangerous. Their allure is undeniable, yet the threat they pose hangs heavily in the air. How did these roses become cursed, and why have they not been eradicated yet? Keeping them so close to the palace seems reckless, almost as if inviting disaster. The ridiculous notion that they might be used to create Necrums crosses my mind, and I shake my head to dispel the thought.

“I think I will head back to my room for a bit. I am still a little tired,” I say as I attempt to remove Prince Lukene’s cloak.

“Keep it on until we get inside. It’s brisk out,” he commands in his usual authoritative princely voice.

I nod in compliance. I should refuse just to be contrary, but the fall wind is chilly today and his cloak is warm. It smells like him—leather, wood, and citrus. He smells comforting—like coming home after you’ve been gone for a while.

“Come. I will walk you back inside,” he says.

The silence that follows is filled with unspoken words, yet it doesn’t feel uncomfortable. His presence beside me raises questions I’m not sure I want to answer. A familiar sensation prickles at the back of my neck—his gaze lingering on me. Turning, I find his green eyes focused intently.

I scrunch my face. “Why are you looking at me like that?”

“Like what, Reckless?” His lips curl up seductively. “I think the real question you should ask is when are my eyes not on you.”

A slow smile tugs at my lips, but words fail me. Instead, I avert my gaze, unsure how to respond, letting his confession settle over me.

When we reach my door, I remove his cloak and hand it back. Our fingers brush, and his warm touch sends an unexpected jolt up my spine. As he turns to leave, a question burns in my mind.

I call out. “Prince Lukene, were you there during the first trials?” I am sure I was hallucinating, but I have to know for certain.

He pauses, looking back with an expression I can’t quite read. “I was in Wemdrah. Why?” His brow furrows slightly.

“Are you sure? I could have sworn I saw you. You didn’t bandage me up?”

He moves closer until he’s right in front of me, our bodies nearly touching. My heart hammers away at the way he looks at me. His gaze locks on mine with such a heated intensity.

“I am sure, Reckless. No one can interfere with the trials—not even a prince. It’s nice to know that you daydream about me though.” He smiles that irritatingly handsome side smile. His black hair is tousled from the wind, and his green eyes are burning into mine, while his voice is low and husky. He is breathtakingly handsome… and dangerous. I need to keep reminding myself, while I ignore the fire he ignites within my core.

“I wasn’t daydreaming!” I snap, cinching my brows together. “I was bitten by an Arachnar. It must have been the venom causing me to hallucinate about you… my enemy.” I back up until my shoulders press against the door, fingers fumbling for the handle as I meet his gaze.

He steps closer, placing one hand on the door, caging me in on the one side. My breath catches in my throat. I can’t breathe with his dark seductiveness, the very essence of him, smothering me in the best way.

“It’s nice to know that even with venom coursing through your veins, I’m still on your mind enough to fantasize about me. I’m glad to know my thoughts aren’t the only ones being plagued by their… enemy. ” He smiles widely with a low chuckle and leans in closer. I think he might kiss me… The side of his face brushes against mine, and he whispers in a low, gruff voice, “Rest up. We resume training tomorrow.” Then, he opens my door and motions for me to go in. Sweat laces my hairline and my legs are shaky as my mouth becomes unbearably dry.

With that, he turns and walks away. I step into my room, but his voice stops me.

“Reign.” He says my name as if it’s both a question and an answer, like every bit of restraint he has is about to snap.

I turn back to the prince, who is now halfway down the corridor.

“I’m no one’s savior, Reign. I’m their damnation. It’s best you remember that.” His green eyes burn into my soul with a final smoldering look. There is such ambivalence in his stare. But with his final words, he walks off, vanishing down the hall.

I close the door behind me, leaning against it for a moment to calm my racing heart. The open window filters crisp, cool air into the room. It’s refreshing against my heated skin.

Fatigue begins to seep into my body. You would think sleeping for four days would be enough rest. I decide to lay in bed for a bit and just think about everything that has happened. Keeping my mind busy is what I need right now. I wish I had gotten a book earlier.

I think over the trials and how I lost Larah. Visions of her lifeless, golden eyes and cold, rigid body haunt my memory. The more I try to sweep them into the corners of my mind, the more they drown me—pushing me under all the memories we had together, reminding me of what I truly lost. I’d give anything to talk to her, just one more time. A lonely tear leaves my eye, its salt burning my face. Maybe I should return to the library. Half the day is gone, and I have no idea what I will do until dinner time. I don’t feel like moving. But I don’t want to think of Larah, or the trials, or how I could possibly lose Elm.

Elm and I need to talk about our revenge plan. Maybe we should only target Vanna. I no longer want to kill all the royals—just her. Lilyana and Lukene don’t deserve to die. We could find a way to eliminate Vanna without raising suspicion. But even that thought is exhausting. Frustrated, I flip to my side, adjusting my pillow as my hair spills over my face.

Notes of wood and leather linger on my lavender strands from Lukene’s cloak, making me think of him. Closing my eyes, I breath in deeply, inhaling his scent. His subtle acts of kindness resurface in my mind. True, he shielded me from Jake in the library, but as an overseer of the trial participants, that is merely part of his duty. Yet, he isn’t obligated to guide me through the gardens or to share that cherished childhood memory that clearly haunts him. Nor did he have to offer me his cloak for my own comfort when I was kissed by the crisp fall air.

Could he be interested in me? No, definitely not. Maybe he wants to bed me, but that would be all. I let out a sigh of frustration. Why am I even pondering his motives? He’s royalty, untouchable, and I am—nothing. I am just a prisoner from the Drifts. He made it very clear he wouldn’t tarnish himself with trash from the Drifts or the Hollows. Yet, sometimes the way he looks at me is such a contradiction to his words.

Those mesmerizing green eyes hide depths as mysterious as the Shadowed Forest. He remains an enigma. I’ve never craved anyone’s affection, but I crave his. I’ve never wanted to explore a dangerous territory until I look at his sensual mouth…

I know I need to stop thinking of him, but for right now I’ll allow myself to. I’ll go back to hating him tomorrow.

* * *

I startle awake. I must have drifted off unexpectedly. Stretching my arms above my head, a loud yawn escapes me, and I proceed to sit up. My window is now shut, and a fire roars in the hearth, casting a warm, somber glow across my chamber. The room feels peaceful, with a hint of a familiar floral aroma in the air that wasn’t there before. On my bedside table sits a dinner tray and a vase of fresh lavender, immediately bringing thoughts of my father to mind. I must have slept through dinner, and Sasha likely brought the tray and flowers.

Next to the tray sits the very book I had been eyeing in the library. How did Sasha know I was interested in this one? I don’t care how she knew; I’m just grateful to have it. Opening to the page I left off, I dive into the book while hungrily inhaling my meal.

* * *

Feeling refreshed and rested, the lingering scent of lavender fills the air. Sasha’s thoughtful gesture of bringing me flowers touches my heart. Rising from bed, I wash up and dress in a black tunic and deep gray pants. My lips twitch into a grin as I purposefully leave the top buttons undone, wondering if Prince Lukene would feel compelled to button them again. Brushing out my hair, I decide to leave it in its natural waves.

Breakfast is uneventful, with no sight of the royals, including Lukene and Lilyana, which strikes me as unusual.

After finishing my meal, I head toward the training yard outside. On my way out, Vanna intercepts me, her gaze dripping with malice. She strides swiftly toward me, and I brace myself.

“Prisoner?” she calls, her voice smooth and biting.

“Yes, your Highness,” I reply, the words like acid on my tongue. This woman ruined my life, and here she stands, speaking to me.

“What is it you think you’re doing with my brother?” Her voice sends a shiver down my spine, a chill of foreboding that prickles my skin.

My heart races, but I keep my voice steady. “What do you mean?”

“Don’t play dumb with me, varlet. There will never be anything between you and Prince Lukene—remember that. He would never defile himself with a prisoner from the Hollows. Don’t think I’ve forgotten you… or your worthless husband.”

Rage simmers within me, eclipsing every calm fiber I have. I honestly do not care that I no longer have a husband. He beat me, cheated on me, starved me. He was evil—just like she is. I don’t mourn his death. What does that mean for my soul? I brush the thought away; however, she is the reason I ended up in the Hollows, the reason for my rage, my vow for revenge.

Suppressing the fury roiling in my gut, I manage to speak. “And don’t think I’ve forgotten you and the role you played in my life, Princess Vanna. Trust me, I’m not interested in Prince Lukene.”

Her lips curl into a sneer. “He certainly isn’t interested in you. He might be curious about the little rat from the Drifts, but rest assured, he will never truly care for you. He’s told me as much.” She leans in, her voice dropping to a menacing whisper. “Consider this your first and only warning. Stay away from my brother, or something unfortunate may happen to your remaining friend from the Hollows.”

My blood runs cold at the threat. “My late husband, whom you gladly kept company with, was a rat from the Drifts. What does that say about you?” I spit back with a smile that holds no warmth. I turn to leave, but she seizes my bare wrist. Her expression shifts, eyes going disturbingly blank.

Lilyana appears out of nowhere, prying my wrist out of Vanna’s hands. “I was looking for you!” she says brightly. “Sorry, Vanna. She is needed outside. Kylo asked me to bring her for training.” Lilyana’s sweet smile masks the steel beneath, and Vanna blinks, her eyes returning to normal, though her gaze still sears into me.

Lilyana leads me away, and the tension clings to me like a cold, heavy rain. We reach the training yard, where Kylo is talking to a few guards. He greets us with a warm smile, but his eyes linger on Lilyana.

“Thank you, Lilyana. Reign, go practice with the bow. We’ll work on your fire magic shortly.”

Nodding, I head to the weapons table, grabbing a bow and quiver. Lilyana remains, speaking to Kylo in hushed tones. I make my way to the targets and ready my bow when Elm approaches.

“I saw you talking to Princess Vanna,” he says, concern etched on his face. “What was that about?”

I lower the bow. “She was trying to rile me up. It’s nothing.”

He studies me, his brow furrowed. “It didn’t look like nothing. What did she say?”

I pause for a second. Letting the anger fuel the fire inside me, I respond. “She said she remembers me and my husband. She warned me to stay away from Prince Lukene.”

Elm’s face darkens. “The royals must go. We need to make our move now before Vanna hurts one of us.”

I sigh, exhaling my frustration. “Elm, I think we should only go after Vanna. Lilyana saved me in the corridor. She’s done nothing to deserve this. And Luk?—”

“Reign,” Elm cuts in, his expression hard. “I know you feel something for Prince Lukene, but?—”

“It’s not like that. I don’t care for him, not in the way you think. He’s vile, and I don’t trust him. But I don’t believe he deserves to die. Vanna is our target and only her.”

“I whole-heartedly disagree.” Elm places both hands on his hips, staring at the ground. “He will retaliate for Vanna’s death. He is the captain of the guard. He is the Dark Prince, for gods and goddesses sake. He won’t hesitate to kill us.”

“Then we need to make sure we are careful about it when we poison her. I mean it Elm, just Vanna.” I never go against Elm. I always agree with his plans, but not this time, and I need to stand my ground on this.

After a moment, he nods reluctantly. “Just Vanna then…”

Now we just have to figure out how to poison her without getting caught or drawing suspicion back to us.