Rise and Reverence: The Valmenessian Chronicles Book Two by Rebecca Camm

Author:Rebecca Camm [Camm, Rebecca]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: anonymous
Published: 2023-01-19T04:00:00+00:00

“There you are!” Poppy exclaimed, hurrying into Evelyn’s dressing room. “I need to talk to you.”

“Is everything okay?” Evelyn asked from where she sat before the mirror as Louise finished pinning her hair. The handmaid had spent the last hour getting Evelyn ready. “Did something happen?”

“Yes!” Her smile was broad, her sapphire eyes brighter than they had been in weeks. “He came to see me!”

“Who did?”

“Zaim! He explained everything and it all makes sense now. I feel terrible for thinking the worst of him.”

Evelyn scrunched her brow, dread pooling in her stomach. “What do you mean? He attacked you and kidnapped us!”

“No,” Poppy replied, shaking her head and making her blonde hair sway. “He had to follow orders and this was the only way we could be together. I knew there had to be a reason behind his actions. He loves me and I still love him. We are fated, Evelyn.”

“Poppy—”

“Trust me. He did all that for love. He had to make it believable otherwise the king would never have let us both come here.”

Evelyn stared at her best friend, stunned by what she’d just heard. Surely Poppy was mistaken or Evelyn was simply misunderstanding. There was no way Poppy could be declaring her love for the man who’d abused her. “Is this a joke? Because to be honest, it’s not funny.”

“Evelyn,” Poppy sighed and sat on the edge of the dresser, taking Evelyn’s hands in her own. “I know you’re hesitant to believe what I’m saying but trust me. He apologised for how he had to behave to deceive the king. He is controlled by those awful tattoos and the king’s commands. It’s not his fault that he has to be so cruel sometimes. But I looked into his eyes and could see how torn up he was about the whole thing. He wants to apologise to you too and explain himself. If you let him, I’m sure you will understand.”

Evelyn gaped at her friend. Was she having a nightmare? She pulled her hands from Poppy’s grasp and pinched herself on the arm.

“This is real,” Poppy said, folding her arms over her chest. “I want you to be happy for me. My life is all coming together. I have the man of my dreams and live in a freaking castle among the most amazing people! Except for the king, of course, but everyone else is wonderful!”

“Is this really what you want?” Evelyn asked, unable to hide the anger lacing her words.

“Yes! The women here think I can really be someone. That I have the potential to make an impact,” she replied excitedly. “I love it here.”

“Pop—Ouch!” Evelyn hissed as Louise stuck a pin into her head.

“Oops, sorry, I slipped,” the woman said, though she gave Evelyn a stern look that Poppy couldn’t see. Not that her best friend was paying attention. She’d turned to look in the mirror and used her finger to blot at the makeup around her eyes.

“Look, I get that you aren’t over the moon for me right now and it’s okay,” Poppy said.

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