“It’ll happen at the right time,” I promised. “And when it does, all that waiting will have been worth it.”
“I hope so,” Abigail said sadly. “It was really hard, being a lesbian in angelic culture. I had to hide all the time, and pretend to be someone I’m not. I’ve suppressed so much of myself that it’s difficult for me to even admit that I like girls in private, because it still seems wrong. It goes against what the Almighty One says, and that feels like a sin.”
“It’s never a sin to be who you are,” I told her. “What Charlie and I have isn’t so different than the relationship between you and me.”
“How so?” Abigail asked curiously.
“You are my lady-in-waiting, and you serve me. You listen to my commands, and follow my orders. I have authority over you, but that doesn’t mean I get to treat you however I want,” I said. “You and I have to trust each other, like Charlie and I do.”
“Okay. I think I get it now.” Abigail nodded. “You’re serving Charlie, but he’s also serving you. And trust grows as the connection deepens.”
“Exactly. You shouldn’t be afraid to be who you are, Abigail, at least not in Ilamanthe. People are accepting here.”
“It’s just…” She took a deep sigh. “Whenever I find myself having feelings for another woman, I just see my father’s face, and those feelings instantly feel filthy. He would be sickened byme if he knew who I truly was. He doesn’t want to have someone like me for a child.”
“What your dad wants isn’t important, because this is your life, and you deserve love,” I insisted. “To trust that Charlie will take care of me, I have to trust myself. And you need to trust that your heart is leading you in the right direction.”
Abigail straightened her shoulders, as if the weight of the world had been lifted off her. “Thank you, princess. You are very wise.”
“I’ve just been through a lot of stuff,” I explained. “Wisdom comes with the territory.”
“Indeed.” Abigail turned her chair. “We need to get to your dress fitting. Your grandmother is probably very cross that we’re late again.”
Crosswasn’t the word for it. I was fully expecting to get yelled at the minute I arrived. Being a princess meant nothing when your grandmother thought she ruled over all.
I could sense Oberi was waiting for me at the dress fitting, and getting a little impatient. She wanted to see me in my dress and gush over how pretty it looked. We left Charlie’s quarters and ventured into the hall, on our way to my grandmother’s suite. My guard, Eldin, followed behind.
I went to say something more to Abigail, but stopped when a figure crossed our path and stood in our way. I gasped in a mixture of shock and relief when I recognized who it was.
It was ProfessorHemlock.Her clothes were tattered and dirty, and her face was covered with dozens of bruises and cuts. Her hair hung mangled and ratted around her thin jaw, and her skin gave off a gaunt, sickly appearance.
She wasalive.I couldn’t believe it! She must’ve escaped the Warden!
“Professor!” I was so happy to see her. I wheeled forward to give her a hug. “You’re okay!”
Hemlock didn’t respond to my gesture of affection. Instead, she reached into her robes and pulled out a thin, bloody dagger, her mouth sinking into a snarl.
I halted my chair, and my insides flipped inside my abdomen. “Professor?”
“You must die!” Hemlock screeched, charging toward me. Abigail screamed. I found myself frozen, unable to comprehend that my favorite teacher was actuallyattacking me.
“Princess!” Eldin cried, charging forward to save me. She drew her sword, and I shut my eyes tight as Hemlock raised her dagger high, aiming to bring the blade down upon my throat.
Chapter Fifteen
CHARLIE
Ava-Marie had left me feeling delirious. It was torture waiting for her to arrive back in our room after the voice message I woke up to. I craved her all day, but truth be told, the wanting made her taste even sweeter. I allowed her to act like a brat sometimes because honestly, there were parts I liked about it, too.
I’d been dying to get her into the Sanctuary for a week, ever since she healed me from the poison, but neither of us had felt well enough to play until now. Hell, I’d gone so hard I nearly passed out myself. I’d wanted to show her just how much I appreciated everything she’d done for me— when she tracked me down at the manor in Celestial City, then brought me back from certain death. The thought of Danielle still churned my guts, and I wanted Ava to know there would never be anyone else in this world for me buther. Then she sent me that voice recording, and fuck… did it make my head spin. I’d certainly showed her my appreciation.
It was Sunday, so I was free to roam the palace as I pleased. There were no training sessions with my grandfather or meetings I had to be at today, and I’d given Eddie the day off sohe could spend time with Alistair. When I wasn’t with Ava, there was only one place I wanted to be.
I entered the music room, which was completely deserted on a Sunday afternoon. It was one of the grandest rooms in all the palace, with a high ceiling that each note resonated off of perfectly. Eddie had said the tall, arched windows were adorned with red drapes, and an ornate chandelier hung from the ceiling. A mahogany grand piano sat in the center, surrounded by other instruments and upholstered chairs. It was quiet here, a place all my own. That was perfect, because I liked having this time to myself. I didn’t want people knowing what I was up to, or it might get back to Ava.
I took a seat at the grand piano and ran my fingers over several keys, enjoying the beautiful resonance the strings gave off. This instrument was nothing like what I’d played before. I’d learned to play on a second-hand piano that hadn’t been tuned in years and had two broken keys in the upper register. Then there was the organ back at the Institute, and I was certain some of the pipes had been cracked or dented, because it just couldn’t sing the way this grand piano could. Every note vibrated at the proper frequency, resounding in perfect harmony within the other notes in each chord.
I pressed the keys, and it was a bittersweet sound. It reminded me of the piano at the Institute that the guards had smashed. Back then, I wasn’t sure I’d ever get a chance to play again. But here I was, in a palace all my own, with access to all the musical instruments I could ever desire.
