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Cypress may not be the heir, but that doesn’t mean he gets any more choices than I do. Except his title will be more of an honorary one while mine is a title of expectations, pressures, and an entire species of people looking to me to save them.
“You will make an incredible empress,” Father tells me. “You will see, Wisteria. You were born for greatness.”
The smile slips from Cypress’s lips, but he quickly schools his features and remains neutral. His gray eyes give him away though.
My father would never tell Cypress anything like that. For the most part, Father ignores that he and Ivy even exist. My heart breaks for my brother and I wonder how my father can’t see how special Cypress is. He would make a far better emperor than I would an empress.
I try not to think of the future as I head to bed later that night. I’ve still got a few more weeks to worry about marriage, and even then it will be a while before I am empress. My father is still the ruler of our people. A lot can change between now and then.
Just as I close my eyes, a loud scream echoes through the castle.
2
You wouldn’t understand
Wisteria
Ijump out of bed and don’t even bother changing out of my pajamas as I rush down the hallway, toward the sound of shouts. The first sharp scream I now recognize belonged to Poppy, and the shouts are a mix of her and my father. When I hear my father shout back, I pick up my pace.
Whatever is going on, it can’t be good. My father hasnevershouted like this before, not even when we were children and would get into trouble.
“—can’t control me anymore!” I hear the last of Poppy’s words as I round the corner and find Poppy and Father standing in the middle of the corridor.
Father narrows his dark, dark eyes at my sister. “How could you do something so… so… witless?”
As I get closer, I realize that his eyes aren’t just dark—they’reblack.
I’ve never seen my father’s eyes black before. I’ve seen them red a few times when he’s gotten angry, but this isbeyond anger. This is pure rage. I stop abruptly, my breath getting caught in my throat.
What has Poppy done to upset Father this much?
“I should have known,” Father growls out the words. “You’ve never been one to consider your actions. You’re so much like your—” He abruptly cuts off his words, shaking his head. “Regardless, this doesn’t change anything, Poppy.”
She sucks in a sharp breath. “Of course, this changes things! It changeseverything!”
Father shakes his head. “It does not. I will have the situation dealt with by morning.” He looks into her eyes. “And you will not defy me again. You will stay in this castle until I say you can leave.”
A wave of magic washes over me as I realize what Father has just done. Poppy realizes it at the same time as she lets out a roar of screams.
He compelled her.
My eyes widen as I look between the two. Compulsion doesn’t work on royals. I know that for a fact because Cypress and I used to practice on one another when we were younger. We’d try to get each other to do ridiculous things. But this isn’t something Poppy will be able to disobey.
Does my father’s compulsion work differently because he’s emperor?
“I HATE YOU!” Poppy’s voice turns into a growl at the end, her eyes nearly as black as Father’s.
Father doesn’t flinch at her words. He doesn’t even seem to care. He just looks at my older sister, shaking his head. “You have no idea how lucky you are, Poppy. And to think you would throw it away on afae—a royal, no less.”
My father’s words hit me hard as I recognize the truth in them.
Poppyislucky. She gets to get away from the fae. But then I comprehend the rest of his statement.
What is he talking about? What did Poppy throw away?
“What’s going on?” I hear Cypress ask from behind me.
Father turns to look at Cypress and me, his eyes still as black as obsidian. His gaze lingers for only a moment before he looks behind us.
