Ezra drove me through the main cities within Valtarin, which were vastly different from Nymeria. Nothing within Nymeria was modernized and it was almost as if you took a step back in time. Most vendors sold from carts or small tents set up around. Most eating establishments used to be houses that the owner transformed to accommodate cooking and indoor eating. Only the wealthiest parts of Nymeria had modernized structures. Valtarin was modernized everywhere. I have a phone, so I’ve seen the advances, but it’s so much more interesting in person. “Do you mind if we walk around?” He shrugged, “Sure thing, let me find parking.” That was another interesting thing here. Everyone had vehicles. It seemed like you utilized them to drive anywhere, even if you could walk. After we parked, he rushed over, opening the door for me, “Thank you. You don’t have to do that.” “Elliot would more than likely murder me if I showed you any form of disrespect,” he retorted. “I would har
My eyes widened as we pulled back up to the packhouse. Standing next to Emmet and Hartley was the Queen, my mother, in all her glory. She’d gone all out. Perfectly styled hair. A long, flowing dress fit for a ball, not everyday life, and a guard posted on either side of her. I sighed audibly, chewing on the inside of my cheek. “Well, isn’t this a pleasant surprise. I get to meet the Ice Queen herself,” Ezra chuckled. “There is nothing pleasant about my mother,” I groaned, trying and failing to ignore the anxiety that crept its way into my mind. My heart was racing as she turned, locking eyes with me. Her face remained hard as stone, not even a single twitch as she stared at me. “Uhm, princess, you’re bleeding,” Ezra stared down at my clenched fists. It was then that the pain in my palms became apparent, releasing a fresh wave of fear. I hadn’t felt the pain. I was numb staring into my mother’s eyes. I don’t want to be numb. I want to feel. Pain reminds me that I'm aliv
Ezra followed us to Nymeria under the guise that we would need the additional vehicle now that my mother was joining us on the trip home, much to her dismay. My mother insisted that Seb ride with him so that she could get to know Elliot better, but he was having none of it. Elliot hopped into Ezra’s vehicle with earbuds in before my mother could get in a single word. She attempted to brush off the encounter, but I could feel the anger filling the vehicle. A small part of me wished that I could have ridden with Ezra. He was so easy to talk to and allowed me to be Lilly, a regular girl, not the Princess of Nymeria with a crazy mother. The ride was awkward to put it lightly. Sebastian rode in the front next to the driver and I, in the back with my mother. She typically wouldn’t have taken a car anywhere. Yet another thing that was beneath her. She’d take a Jet within Nymeria’s lands. I found sleep troubling. Each time I’d closed my eyes, I’d see Elliot in all his glory. The man w
Small pups were running around out front of the tall looming building. It was outdated and in desperate need of repair, something that I would dedicate more funds to once I become Queen. “Princess,” one of the pups squealed, alerting them all. Everyone came rushing over, bowing their heads. “Princess, have you brought gifts?” little Finnley questioned with bright eyes. He was five years old when his parents were killed in a rogue attack. He was now seven and no closer to finding a suitable family. Most of these pups wouldn’t. It broke my heart the first time that I’d come here. Many faces were still the same as the fateful day, and I vowed to make it my mission to make sure that they never went without. It was another one of my dirty little secrets. Mother’s head would probably explode if she knew that I came here so frequently. “Is that your boyfriend?” Ember questioned, her bright blue eyes staring wide at Ezra. Collective ooooohs were heard throughout the crowd, making me
“What are you doing in here?” Sebastian was sitting at the edge of my bed with his hands crossed waiting for me to return. “What is he doing in here?” Seb mumbled, standing quickly. “He is going to be my King. This is OUR room now.” “Why can’t he stay down the hall?” Seb whispered. “You think my mother is going to break tradition?!” “Can you two take your lover’s quarrel somewhere else?” Elliot stared at the two of us. “There is no argument, Seb, you need to leave.” “Lily, please. Don’t push me out. Not because of him,” Sebastian glared angrily towards Elliot, “Hear me out.” “I’m not pushing you out for anyone but your own actions, Seb. You should go.” Sebastian lingered, “I don’t want to leave things unspoken.” “She said to leave,” Elliot growled, his eyes growing dangerously black. Without another word, Sebastian stormed out of my room, slamming the door behind him. “Thank you for that, but I can handle myself.” Elliot stared at me for a moment before ret
TRIGGER WARNING:SA “Thank you,” I finally gained the courage to speak after Elliot returned to my room. I’m unsure as to where he went, but it gave me time to eat my first meal in blissful silence. My mother's eyes always found me at the table, no matter where we were. She looks at me with disgust every time she sees me with food, and it's exhausting living beneath the umbrella of her disappointment. “For what?” he arched a brow. His face remained stoic as he stared at me awaiting an answer. I grabbed my brush, running it through my freshly showered hair, “For standing up for me. It’s the first time that anyone has in as long as I can remember.” “Don’t get used to it. Your mother’s presence was just agitating me,” he mumbled. “Get used to that," I huffed, wincing as the brush snagged on a knot in my hair, "Her presence has agitated me for twenty years.” Placing my leg up on my vanity, I grabbed lotion, massaging it into my skin. Switching to the other side, I suddenly felt
The sound of the storm blaring through the speakers of her phone gave me a sense of peace. My mind has been swirling with turmoil and regret since agreeing to this stupid contract. Chaos was a real asshole. I was finally feeling something beyond the pain. Finding myself after years of depression and wallowing. “Don’t try to pin this all on me. Might I remind you my existence in this pathetic, Earthly realm is solely for you?” The voice in my mind reminded me as if I’d forget. I will never forget. That was the beauty of it. He numbed my mind for the most part, but the memories would always remain. The accident. The depression. And the loss. My mind is at its worst in the night, when the world is silent, my thoughts are loud. Nightmares plagued my once peaceful sleep and I quickly realized that a functioning adult doesn't actually need as much sleep as you think. CRACK The boom of thunder cracked loudly, and my gaze turned to Lilliana. She was sleeping so peacefully. A sm
Elliot was gone from our bed when I woke up this morning. A part of me wanted to break through the wall that he had guarding his heart. We were stuck together for the next nine months. There was no reason we couldn’t be friendly. We would have to work closely to convince the people of Nymeria that there was some reality behind the fact that we’d chosen each other. Every King and Queen was required to go before their Kingdom and pledge their loyalty to their people. It was a huge deal, and the entire Kingdom was in attendance as well as the Kings and Queens of surrounding realms. I needed to talk to Elliot about creating a convincing front. People had to believe we were together in order to build trust. They wouldn’t just welcome him with open arms. Especially knowing my father's hatred for Valtarin and the Lakin's. Sitting up, I rolled my neck, ready to tackle the task of today; Planning the ceremony, both mine and that of my father’s ceremonial burial. My heart ached at