Page 3 of Unkindness of Crimson Ravens

“Well, what do you think?” Sandra leaned in.

“Arrogant.”

The stranger smirked. Our gazes locked as he sent me a curt nod.

I’d been openly staring at the man this whole time.

Straightening my back, I tried to mask my embarrassment. How unroyal of me: I’d been scolding a stranger for his outfit when I myself had forgotten any manners. I couldn’t just stare at strangers. People would talk.

“Cordelia?” Sandra nudged my shoulder; judging by the tone in her voice, she’d been calling my name for a while.

“He’s fine,” I finally spoke not even remembering who she had pointed at.

How dared he smirk at me? The audacity behind such a gesture! The arrogance! Was he mocking me? I’m sure he was; that smirk on his face was full of pure amusement.

“Timothy is here,” Sandra whispered.

My lungs expanded in an attempt to calm my unresting mind.I will not show fear.I told myself, hoping I would act on this promise. Yet it was anger that consumed me.

Don’t do anything foolish, Cordelia.

“My lady.” Timothy tried to reach for my hand; a disgusting smile decorated his face.

A Royal should never put anyone down.I ignored the screaming voice as I swallowed the lump in my throat.

“It isYour Highness.’’ I raised my chin despite the trembling in my body. “You shall respect my status,Lord Barren.”I put emphasis on the last two words in a clear reminder of his own: the only way to truly hurt Timothy was to remind him I was the one with the power here—even if it was not true.

I’d told Mother I would behave for the sake of the family, yet Timothy’s presence made it impossible to commit to such a promise. The memory of the pain he’d caused overpowered any common sense. My spilled tears demanded revenge.

A low murmur went around me, though my eyes didn’t leave Timothy’s. He was visibly struggling to maintain his features. Perhaps I just worsened my already deplorable situation.

My stomach turned upside down at the idea of what awaited me when we were forced alone, but it was too late.

Timothy nodded once and took his leave without apologizing—not that I’d expected him to.

My lips trembled as I turned to face the disaster I was the creator of. The Queen involved herself in the conversation with some nobles when her withering gaze swept over me. Sandra squeezed my hand tight.

No one had asked me for a dance that night.

“I will take my leave now.” I aligned my silverware neatly before getting up from the table.

“Mother will notice.” Sandra caught my sleeve.

“Please,” my voice was barely a whisper.

Her lips turned into a thin line. “Fine.” She sighed, “I will come up with an excuse.” Sandra let go of my dress. “You owe me!” She gestured me towards the door.

“Thank you.” I quickly smiled at her, fleeing out.

My trembling legs stumbled towards the garden before I even realized. I clung to every breath as though it was my last.

Royals are collected. Royals know how to control their emotions. You are to be a queen—act like it.My mothers’s voice echoed in my mind as I threw myself past the arc of the palace, hoping for privacy.

Privacy?I almost laughed at myself. I had always been short on privacy, but after my oldest brother’s death made me first in line, privacy became nonexistent.

I slid down a cherry tree that often served as my refuge from prying eyes when the orchestra of nature finally eased my mind. The cold air enveloped me in its embrace; the owls and ravens sang me their lullaby.

A pair of golden eyes studied me from the darkness.