AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Whenever it starts to become the loudest voice in my head, I remind myself of the last time I was in her dungeons. Of when she had me strap Remy into the chair.
I remind myself that the evil far outweighs anything good she has ever done, and more importantly, that she is a threat to everyone and everything good in my life.
Neither Remy nor I get any sleep that final night. I know he’s counting down the hours to tea just as much as I am, wondering if it could possibly be as simple as we think, as seamless as we’re hoping for.
When I can’t take it anymore, I climb on top of him, trailing kisses down the length of his body, desperate to lose myself in him to pass the time. Remy responds just as intensely, worshiping every inch of me like it’s the last time he’ll get to do it.
For that matter, it might be.
So we don’t come up for air. We don’t stop to talk. We just keep finding new ways to memorize one another until finally the servants come to prepare us for the day.
Even Pumpkin seems to sense the ominous shift in the air, staying mostly quiet and to himself instead of harassing the maids by absconding with the jewelry they pick out for me.
It isn’t until they are twisting my hair back into a chignon that another knock sounds at the door. Remy and I glance at one another, worry creeping into our gazes.
He nods toward the servants at the door, and they open it. Lawrence enters the room holding an envelope with a familiar wax seal.
A blood-red conch shell.
My fingers tremble as I take the envelope and flip it over. My name, my new name, is written on top in her elegant script.
To Her Royal Highness, Princess Aika Ashington,
Dearest Daughter, I request your presence at breakfast this morning. You may accompany me afterward to tea with the queen.
I look forward to catching up with you.
See you soon.
Mother
My heart races as I consider the implications of her message.
“There is a carriage waiting for you outside already, Your Highness.” Lawrence’s voice pulls me from my thoughts.
Concern shines from his eyes. We haven’t told him everything, but he knows enough to see the inherent threat in her words.
Whatever Remy notices in our exchange has him ordering the rest of the staff out. He rushes to my side as soon as they’re gone, and I wordlessly hand him the letter.
“Do you think she suspects us?” His voice is quiet, trace amounts of fear lining his words.
“She might,” I admit, “but she didn’t secretly send Damian with the message, she sent it as Lady Delmara. So she would risk what remains of her reputation and standing if something went wrong.”
The excuse sounds flimsy, even to my ears, but I have to believe it’s true.
“It will look more suspicious if I don’t go,” I add.
Lawrence clears his throat. “I’ll accompany you. You shouldn’t go alone.”
Remy nods like this is a brilliant plan, but I can’t let him come. Shaking my head, I take a step closer to my husband, entwining my fingers with his.
“No,” I say as gently as I can, offering Lawrence a grateful smile for his offer.
Remy has already lost his brother. I won’t risk his closest friend if this goes badly. He wouldn’t be able to protect me from Madame anyway, and showing up with a bodyguard would tip her off.
“I don’t like this,” Remy responds, crushing the letter in his hands.
He doesn’t argue, though, because he knows as well as I do it’s the only way.
