“Oh, my lady, what happened in there? What did he do to you?” Martha blubbers. “You’re freezing cold – and your gown!”
I shake my head, urging us to walk faster down the hallway. I am moments away from crying, but I need to hold it together, at least for a little longer.
“I need to speak to Father. Now.”
“Of course.” Martha chews her lip. “But perhaps we should stop at your bedchamber first? Let me put you into some dry clothes.”
Now I’m away from the prince, I already feel so much warmer, so much safer. But a dry gown would certainly be nice to change into – and there’s something else in my bedchamber too. Something I really wouldn’t mind being tucked into my bodice for the next time the prince leers at me.
“Yes,” I say, lifting my chin higher. “That sounds like a good idea. Thank you, Martha.”
But I’m not smiling as she leads me down the hallway.
35
AMARYLLIS
Father lounges on his throne, one arm draped over a golden armrest while the other lifts a silver goblet to his lips. The grand hall is quieter than usual – so quiet I can hear my steps beneath the long skirt of my indigo gown.
Martha walks by my side, hurrying to keep up with me. The nobles surrounding us speak in hushed whispers. I hear my name, along with Orion’s, weaving through the huge stone pillars that hold up the painted ceilings. I don’t listen to what’s being said, though. Right now, I can only focus on one thing:
My freedom – and possibly Kasimir’s – resting in the hands of a rather bored-looking king.
“Father,” I call out, making no effort to hide the relief in my tone. “Father, please, I have to speak with you!”
“Amaryllis.” He straightens in his seat. “I sent your maid to fetch you over an hour ago. What could’ve possibly been keeping you?—”
“Please, Father, there’s no time. I have to talk to you about something. It’s Orion. He’s been truly awful. He’s?—”
“Enough with this nonsense,” he scoffs. “Prince Orion is a respectable prince, and if what your sisters have told me is true, then I can only assume you deserved it.”
My mouth turns dry. “What?”
“You must understand, I have spoiled you, dear. You and all the girls. Of course, it was not my intention, but alas here we are.” His gaze flicks over to me, but I feel none of the warmth I usually do – only a dark, seething anger. “If the prince wishes to be rough with you, to shape you into the demure princess that I should’ve been strong enough to raise, then all the more power to him.”
“But, Father?—”
“More wine, servant.”
A servant hurries over to refill Father’s goblet as my lip curls. He doesn’t have to say anything more for me to understand what this means.This conversation is over.Return to your bedchamber, Amaryllis. Or in this case, the man who sees no issue in forcing himself upon me.
My heart pounds in my chest. Two weeks ago, I would’ve done what he’d asked.
I’m not that princess any more.
Marching forward, I open my mouth to shout, but before I can say anything, a soft voice touches my side.
“There’s no point, Ami.” Blossom hurries up to me, her expression grim. “We’ve already spoken to him. We told him everything Orion did in the ballroom. He just won’t listen.” Beside her, Camellia pats her shoulder, while Dahlia folds her arms.
“I’ll get through to him,” I tell them. “Father won’t let Orion get away with this when he hears what happened in his bedchamber.”
Blossom’s face pales. “What happened, Ami?”
I shake my head. “You’ll find out in a moment.” Ignoring her protests, I march towards the king.
“Father.” My tone is harsh enough to make him flinch. “Prince Orion is a brute who spent the past few hours torturing me. He threw ice water on my gown and forced me to sit by an open window until I couldn’t feel my hands!”
“Come now, Amaryllis, that’s hardly torture,” he warns.
