Page 31 of Unkindness of Crimson Ravens (The Crimson Duet #1)

He snatched the papers from my hand, ignoring Francis’ reaction altogether. “What—” Duke’s eyes found mine. “What does the Queen require of me?”

I stretched out my hand toward the papers, demanding them back.

Only when William reluctantly handed me the documents did I reply to his question.

“Your army must be ready for the war,” I said.

“Evacuate the residences of your region, give those in need shelter immediately. According to our sources, the first attack is planned to happen within a week.”

“How can you give out such specific dates?” He narrowed his gaze.

“Wurdulacs attacked the vampire grounds, kidnapping children for their army,” I told him the truth. “They are starving them to go after humans. According to our calculations the attack will happen within a week. The date is not certain, yet a very accurate estimation.”

Dread was unmistaken in William’s eyes, no matter him trying to hide his fear. “And if I refuse?” he challenged me, smirking.

“Then you shall fall first,” I met his gaze, bestowing him with a smirk of my own. “I will make sure of that.”

William’s jaw clenched. “I will see what I can do,” his muscles tensed. “Good travels, Cordelia.”

I kept my composure as we followed the guards out of the estate. I should have felt relief—triumph even—yet my lungs squeezed tighter.

My heart shook in my chest as we made it across the courtyard. Dozens of eyes bored into my skin, though their owners did not wear the confusion I expected. Most of them watched me with anger, some even gripped their blades.

An odd rush of amusement swept through me. They were frightened; frightened of a princess that was not fit to rule, but to mindlessly follow her mother’s orders. A weak, spoiled Royal who now posed a threat.

The guards dragged the gate open before us when I felt it. Dozens of eyes watched me carefully, yet only one pair bored so deeply it hurt.

“Your Highness,” the gate men bowed, gesturing us out.

The hair on my nape rose.

His burning stare pained my back.

“What’s the matter?” Francis asked quietly, realizing I was no longer following him out.

Everything calmed.

Painfully slowly, I turned my head in the direction of the window I used to search for the moment I took a step into the estate. Second floor, the last window on the left.

Our gazes locked.

With a blank expression, he just stared. The eyes that haunted my sleep now studied me carefully. I studied them back with the intention to forget them forever.

“Cordelia?” Francis’ hand brushed over my shoulder.

His blond hair was brushed back, his blue eyes were now dull. The cruel smile was long gone from his face.

My gaze hardened. My heartbeat quickened, though not from anxiety.

I needed him to feel the pain he inflicted upon me, burn in it forever and be haunted by it every time he dared closing his eyes.

I wanted retribution.

I needed him to suffer.

He hurts me! My sister wailed. He hurts me, Mother!

Nothing could stop me from slicing his throat and drying him empty. Nothing could stop me from crushing every bone in his body.

My mouth watered in anticipation. The insides of my throat painfully ached.

“Princess, we have to leave.” Francis got a hold of my wrist, tugging me out. “Now,” he hissed.

Was it fear I saw in Timothy’s eyes?

He moved the curtain, his silhouette slowly disappeared behind the window.

My lungs expanded.

The gate banged closed behind us as I freed myself from Francis’ grip.

“Dear Gods and the Moon,” Francis swore, falling into step behind me. “They were moments away from attacking,” he groaned. “What’s the matter with you?”

“I’m fine,” I said, rushing towards our horses.

“You must have some before we go,” Francis pressed the flask into my hand. “The last thing we need is you attacking anyone.”

“I’m fine,” I bit out, mounting Annabelle.

“You wanted to attack that man.” Francis countered. “Who even was that?” he asked, mounting his horse.

“No one,” I ordered Annabelle to take me home.

“Wait up, Princess!”

The nausea that had tortured me the whole day finally threatened to break loose. Even the cold winter couldn’t calm my burning flesh. The air thickened.

“I’m fine,” I mumbled, breathing in through my nose. “I’m fi—” A groan escaped me, forcing me to halt my horse.

Breathe! I ordered myself, dismounting. Brea—

My stomach emptied itself out.

Long-awaited relief washed over me as I sat on my knees, catching my breath. My hands pressed into the crunchy snow; the cold brought comfort to my skin.

“Cordelia?” Francis’ cold hand felt my forehead. “You are paler than the snow.”

“I’m fine.” I closed my eyes, leaning into his hand. “I am fine,” I said as my mind deprived me of any thought.

The smell of cool jasmine eased my mind as consciousness was slowly returning to me. Soft crunching of snow brought peace to my ears. Warm, rough fabric scratched my cheek.

“We are almost home, Princess,” Francis’ soft voice forced my mind out of oblivion.

My eyes fluttered open. My head spun, taking in the surroundings. I sat atop Francis’ horse, his hands gently held me close to him.

I moved a few inches from the man, barely keeping on the horse. “What happened?” I tightened the cloak around myself, feeling exposed.

“When was the last time you slept?” Francis’ hand wrapped around me tightly.

I couldn’t recall a single night that wasn’t riddled with constant screams and cold sweats, though I wasn’t about to admit that to Francis. It was enough for him to see my disarray after a single meeting.

The moon hid behind the clouds. Bright snow fell onto my face; snowflakes melted, sliding down my cheek. This proximity felt wrong. “I am well enough to ride my own horse.” I glanced at Annabelle falling into step behind us; her reins tight to Francis’ saddle.

He sighed. “The castle is just a hundred yards away. I’m sure you can survive my presence for another minute.” Francis’ lips turned into a thin line. “Was that him?”

My eyes focused on a branch in front of me, desperately trying to avoid Francis’ searching gaze. He sighed, taking my silence as an answer.

Francis knowing about Timothy was both a relief and distress. I needn’t hide my past from him any longer, but he had no right to know something I tried to bury deep down.

For the first time, I didn’t enjoy the silence that grew between us. I wished for him to talk, mock me even: anything.

My legs were ready to flee to my room the moment the castle entered my view. Francis turned his horse toward the stables; his hands gripped me tightly when he ordered for his mare to halt.

“Thank you,” I mumbled as he helped me from the horse.

“Cordelia—” Francis called after me when I was halfway up the stairs of the main entrance.

I pushed the doors open, fighting with the wind that wouldn’t let me in; the storm grew stronger. My fingers turned to ice when I rushed up the stairs toward my room.

The storm banged against the windows; the wind whistled, echoing through the halls.

“How did the meeting go?” Roxanne’s voice reached me from Florence’s room as I hurried down the corridor.

“Hey!” Roxanne called after me. “Wait up!” Her heavy steps followed.

I slammed the door behind me, sliding down the wood. Silent tears fell down my face as I curled into a ball right on the floor. Timothy glared at me when I closed my eyes; I wished to pry my eyes open forever.

The door creaked slightly, yet I cared not who stood at the threshold. “Go away,” I croaked.

Silver rubbed his face against my neck, comforting me as tears damped my cheeks.

The roof shook as a new wave of the blizzard swept through the castle. The cold made its way to my uncovered skin. I forced my body up, hobbling to my bed. Woolen blankets could not bring warmth into my body nor my soul.

When the door swung open, I was ready to scream at whoever invaded my space, but when I turned to say the gruesome words, they got stuck in my throat.

Roxanne stood at the threshold of my room; a bottle of moonshine in her hands.