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Grayson’s head whips up, and he blows out a breath. “Fuck, you really think anyone is going to care on the other side of those security cameras?” he asks.
Shrugging, I refuse to tell him that there’s always someone willing to sell a story. My arrest was big news in the realm, and I just want to be done with it.
“Suit yourself,” Grayson sighs.
Carefully, he cleans up my wrists, and my chin drops to my chest, allowing my hair to slide forward to hide my face. I’m not going to lie, the cuffs rubbed so badly in places, that I lost a layer or two of skin. Breathing exercises only take me so far, and my ears ring from the stress of keeping control.
“Drizella?” I raise my eyes to Grayson’s chest, realizing my wrists are wrapped with gauze and taken care of. Grunting my response, I watch Grayson sigh. “Your need for control isn’t going to serve you very well in the reform camp,” he says.
“Silla,” I say, surprising myself.
“Pardon?” Grayson seems surprised I said anything.
“It’s not a need for control, it’s a need to keep others from seeing what’s none of their business. There’s a difference,” I explain softly.
There’s silence for a moment as he cleans up the area, then motions for me to stand. Grayson tosses the key and handcuffs on a nearby table, and I force myself not to cringe at the sound.
“Time to get the fuck out of here,” he says easily, uncaring of who may be watching on the security cameras.
I wish I could be this free, it’s just never been possible for me. Once Cinder married her prince, I’ve always had eyes on me, no matter how small I’ve tried to appear.
Walking next to him, I force myself not to touch my wrapped wrists. God, it’s the early hours of the morning now, hopefully there’s no one outside. I know I need to worry about bigger things right now, but I can’t help myself.
Even though I’ll be away from the public eye for however long, my younger sister, Anastasia doesn’t need to be affected by the rumors and stories about me.
“So, Silla you said?” Grayson asks, keeping his voice lowered as we walk through the halls.
“Yes, Sir,” I respond on autopilot, a million things flying through my head.
“We’re leaving through a side door here, and right into the van, okay? I’m an idiot and it just clicked who you are,” he sighs.
“I’m sorry you got Silla duty,” I murmur, because honestly, I’m tired. The snark is starting to sneak out. Pressing my lips against each other, I force it back.
Grayson chuckles, opening the door. “Move quickly,” he says, and my legs move double time to keep up with him. Even though I’m five-nine, he towers over me.
He opens the door to the van, and I leap in, keeping my face averted as he shuts it behind me. Quickly putting on my seatbelt, I wait for him to get into the driver's seat.
“So I’ve never had someone slightly royal in my van before,” Grayson jokes as he shuts the door and turns over the engine.
“I’m no one,” I tell him with a gentle smile. It’s true, I’m really not. My step-sister may be the queen, but I’m just a girl who always wanted to be left alone.
“Well, No one,” Grayson smirks. “It’s a bit of a drive, so I won’t hold it against you if you want to nap. I’m an excellent driver, and you’re in good hands. To be honest, you’ll want to be at your best when you walk in those walls.”
“Is there anything you can tell me about the reform camp? I wasn’t told much, except that it was probably better than prison,” I tell him, allowing myself a small moment of vulnerability.
Grayson turns around, staring at me. My eyes slide away from him, because his blue eyes are so damn intense. It’s too much pressure, and I don’t know him at all.
“You’re shitting me, right?” he growls and my hands fist slightly around the material of my skirt.
“Forget I asked,” I tell him. “I’m sure I’ll be finding out either way.”
“You will, but fuck, Silla, you’re killing me right now. How did no one tell you about the camp?” My eyes shoot up to his for a moment, because there’s pain in his tone.
“I was rushed through my trial, and given a two second decision. I know all about the changes my step-sister made to our prison system, Grayson. I made the best choice that I could with the limited resources I had,” I explain. I’m not dumb by any means, and his tone makes me feel as if that’s what he thinks.
“This is so fucked,” he says, turning back and hitting the steering wheel. “Just try to get some sleep. You’ll figure it out soon.”
My heart pounds, and I feel as if my throat is closing as I turn to watch the court disappear. Dammit, this is the day that just gets worse and worse. Here’s to entering Hell, I guess.
