“We’re not going anywhere,” Archer repeats, and I sigh.
“Your attempt at protectiveness is suffocating, and I’ve been through enough today,” I grumble, earning me a pointed look from my neighbor.
“Right now, Angel, there are bigger threats to worry about than your fated mates.”
His words hit me square in the chest, escalating the frustration that clings to me, but I can’t deny the truth.
Pinching the bridge of my nose, I exhale, exhaustion dragging me down despite the urgency of this newest situation.
“I need some space,” I declare, moving toward the bathroom, desperate for an escape, when Hugo’s voice cuts through the air.
“Vee?”
Pursing my lips, I glance over my shoulder to find my brother’s face filling the screen of Archer’s device. His eyebrows pinch as he stares at me.
“Hewy,” I rasp, and he smiles. I don’t return it.
“Your safety is paramount. Father hasn’t been seen since he pulled the trigger…” His words trail off, the sentence incomplete, and I’m happy for it to stay that way. The memory is still living in my mind rent-free; I don’t need to hear it, too. “If that letter states anything, it’s that you are still a bargaining chip.”
“Still?” I repeat, and he grimaces.
“The wedding.”
I gulp at the reminder of the day my life changed entirely, and not in the way I intended at all.
There was no “for better or worse” that day. There wasn’t any “in sickness or in health”, either, only chaos. But it was clear at the time that I was being used for my father’s gains. I just hadn’t realized it had reached new heights. Like, the leader of the Second Kingdom high.
“I don’t want any of this, Hugo. I just want to enjoy Neverbound Academy for what it is. Have fun, learn, make life-long friends, and find my place in the world.”
“That’s what you’re already doing, Vee,” he insists, and I scoff, my hands slapping against my thighs as defeat rattles through me.
“No, it isn’t. Not with this bunch of assholes dictating my every move.”
My brother’s lip twists before he clears his throat. “I’m sure it’s with good reason.”
I stomp toward the device, jabbing my finger at him like he’s standing before me. “There is no good reason, Hugo. I’m as trapped here as I was there.” My chest heaves with every breath. “It’s suffocating.”
“It’s just for the time being, Vee. I?—”
“I don’t want to hear it,” I interject, lifting my hands in defeat, aware of the four sets of eyes tracking my every move right now, but I don’t care. “I’m going to shower. It’s clear I don’t get a say in any of this, but I’m too tired and drained to care. You know, since I died and all.” I hate how dramatic I sound, but I hate how helpless they make me feel even more. “While I’m gone, someone better figure out some food before I get hangry on top of all of this,” I declare, pointing my fingers at myself. “And then I’m going to sleep.”
With a huff, I spin for the door, not waiting for a response as I stride across the room and slam the bathroom door shut behind me. The wood holds me up as I sag against it, drowning in my emotions while reeling over my father’s corruption, Leonardo’s desire, and the suffocation coming from my brother and hated mates.
All I need to do is sleep. Let the day drift away, and hope tomorrow is better.
But even I’m not delusional enough to believe that will be the case.
I don’t move from the spot as I let my breathing settle, each inhale weighted as I press my fingertips into my temples.
Why is everything so messy?
Hated mates: couldn’t get any messier.
My father: the messiest.
Leonardo Corrigan: messier than messy.
I need a break from it all.
