“I know.”
“Let me save you. Please.”
She wraps her arms around me, settling her head on my shoulder as she holds me tight. I wrap my arms around her too. When she doesn’t answer, I lean my cheek on her head.
“You look so much like Mother.” A quiet sob shakes my shoulders. “I miss her so fucking much.”
That hold tightens. Only pulling another gasping breath from me. A tear finally makes a break and falls down my cheek. It trails down into her hair.
Violence sniffles. “Me too.” She buries her head in me. For a few minutes, we both just cry together, leaning on each other for support.
I know my time here is limited, so I pull away. Violence watches me with red, puffy eyes. I frown and wipe away a stray tear before I force myself to put back on the mask a prince should always wear.
“I missed you, too, you know. For three years. I kept expecting you to come barreling down the hall. I kept looking for tricks left in my room. Every time I saw Trill, I’d look for you too. He still loves you, you know.”
She dips her chin like she understands. I take a step toward the door, my hand already reaching for the knob.
“For what it’s worth. I’m sorry,” I say, but she looks away, lip quivering. “I’ll be back to take you to the Court of Winds.” I turn, unable to see her heartbreak anymore.
It’s for her own good,I tell myself.I’m saving her. I’m protecting her.
The door clicks shut behind me, the lock sliding in place without me even reaching for it. Father has this place spelled well.
I turn, nearly jolting right out of my skin as a shadow moves down the dark hall. A light flickers on overhead between us and Basilus’s face comes into view. My face is still tight from the tears, and I can only imagine that my eyes are as red as Violence’s.
“Are you coddling her since you can’t coddle your Mother anymore?” he purrs with little sympathy. His hair hangs around his face for once, still damp from a shower.
“Oh, good. It’s you.” I offer a grim smile.
“It’s me,” he sings as he gives me a low dramatic bow.Asshole. “I’d assume since you are here, you’ve brought news.”
“It’s not any of your business, but yes.”
Basilus laughs, hooking an arm over my shoulder and leading me through the hall. We’re headed back toward the living area. I know that much as I’ve tried my best to memorize every hall in this wretched place.
“Prince Dalziel accepted the offer. I already know. The walls are surprisingly thin in this place.” He looks smug as he nods his head, and I flick a strand of his hair off my shoulder. “Poor little Violence isn’t taking it well, it seems.”
“Basilus, what do you want?”
“Nothing. I just wanted to talk to my loving brother. Is that so bad?”
“I hardly believe that is your only motivation.”
“You’re right. I’ve come to warn you.”
Lights flicker on as we walk forward, and they turn off behind us, covering everything in darkness once more. I arch a brow, waiting for him to continue. After one long dramatic pause, he continues.
“Just thought you’d want to know that it might be best to speed this marriage with Dalziel up a little bit faster than you're currently planning. I know Father wants to wait till he’s done with her, but she’ll likely be dead by then so...”
I freeze.
His arms slips from my shoulder as he turns, walking backwards so he can face me. A smile lifts his cheeks. “Send a letter to the prince tonight before bed. That would be best, I think.”
“What do you know?” I ask, trying to keep my voice steady.
“Nothing I’m willing to tell you.” Then he laughs and disappears down the hall. The lights turn off around me, plunging me into darkness.
* * *
