The Darkest Wolves - A.K. Koonce Page 0,31

to dining at the Prince’s side, sipping from his glass still held intimately in his hand, and finally, being invited to a private evening.

My stomach turns sickly the moment Avian tells me the good news.

“He wants to see you,” he repeats as we linger on the sidelines of the arena. Two men fling their weapons in violent blows at one another while I imagine the violent blows the Prince might have in mind for the two of us tonight.

This is what I worked for. This is what I wanted.

I should be happy.

“I think I’m going to be sick.” My palm falls to the exposed skin between my pants and tight shirt, and Roman’s attention follows that move.

The concern is there in his bright brooding eyes. Zilo seems oblivious or simply caught within the darkness of his own mind. And yet, we all hold our silence.

We let these thoughts fester until they’re bleeding out and drowning us in the darkness of what’s to come. I hate it. I hate pretending, and I hate feeling nauseated by what all my pretending is leading to.

But I can’t stop.

Not until that man is dead and the rightful ruler is crowned.

I don’t realize I’m still staring at Roman until he clears his throat harshly and quickly looks away… He was staring at me just like I was staring at him.

Maybe both of us feel that pressing dagger that’s stuck through my throat and heart.

I swallow down the pain of it all, and I don’t say another word before I’m storming back to the safety of our little bedroom. That’s all I do anymore: dig myself further into the hole of flirting and leading on the Prince and then pout about my day’s deeds in the bedchambers.

But after tonight, the pouting might be real tears. Real torment and real pain.

My boots pound over the black-bricked sidewalk, through the side entrance of the castle, and the echo of my anxious steps follows after me as I stride down the dark hall and slip into the safe haven of the last door hidden in the corner of the castle.

My bedroom—I mean, their bedroom.

A pressing breath shoves out at that thought too. This isn’t my home. Someday I’ll find my place in the world, but first I have to help these men.

No matter what it costs.

I tell myself that over and over again as I slip beneath the blankets. I snuggle down so deep the warm blanket covers my head, and I just soak in the comfort of the silence.

“Cersia,” someone says, stomping all over that sweet silence.

My lashes lift slowly to the darkness beneath my den of covers.

“Yes?” I have to put real effort into not growling out that little word.

The bed dips. My weight jostles. A hard chest presses against my private cocoon. I don’t dare move though.

Maybe—just maybe—if I stay still enough, he’ll go away. He’ll get the hint of the burial-like blankets I’ve submerged myself in, and he will surely go away.

“Cersia, I think we should talk,” Avian says, clearly not understanding my hints.

I really did think he was the smart one too.

A sigh leaves my lips, and I close my eyes once more.

I don’t have the energy today.

The blanket remains over my face, but I listen to his sweet words. I couldn’t ignore him if I wanted to.

“You know you don’t have to move this fast? It’s barely been a week, just take your time. Earn his trust slowly… I-I—”

Whatever sentiment was on the tip of his tongue, it’s pushed aside as the bedroom door bangs shut and another bossy male stomps all over my private little quietness.

“I canceled your night with the Prince,” Roman announces, his voice hard with assertive sureness.

At that sudden statement, I fling the blankets down and sit up with ramrod straight posture. “You did what?!” I can’t keep the annoyance from grating my tone.

“I told him you weren’t feeling well.” Roman lifts his bronze shoulders with a careless shrug that I want to shake right out of him.

My legs tangle with Avian’s as I climb on top of him, his silver eyes wide with stunned surprise. Surprise, bitch, I’m gonna kill your friend right in front of you.

I shove off of him, and my bare feet slam over each board as I bring myself inches from this little empty skulled man. “You fucked up my plans? You canceled the date I worked days to get?” My anger flares hot between us, and his pretty eyes darken as he looks