A Court of Blood and Roses by Tyranni Thomas

Author:Tyranni Thomas [Thomas, Tyranni]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2022-12-01T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eighteen

Anastacia

It was all happening so fast; I was still shaking internally. My teeth chattered sometimes, and I was constantly rubbing my arms despite the nearby hearth. I stared at the door Philippe had disappeared through and sighed.

The brush rhythmically ran through my hair and Georgia started to hum as she pleated it and piled the braids atop my head. Once I was all prepared, I dismissed her so she would have a chance to pack her bags and say whatever farewells she needed to.

I glanced around at the huge Navarre bed and all the imported fineries. I could stay here and dwell on my brother, or I could escape for a few months with Philippe and return with a clear mind.

I rolled my eyes and wiped my cheeks before the hot tears could ruin my powder.

“You can do this,” I pep talked myself.

“Do what?” Magdelina’s suspicion rang in her voice.

I hadn’t even been doing anything wrong, but I still startled at the shrill sound of her voice. I jerked around to face her and found Philippe’s man servant, Vincent, in the doorway behind her.

“Begging your pardon, Highness… Prince Philippe is ready for you to join him,” the man awkwardly blurted out.

“Prince Philippe will wait. What plans do you have against my family?” Magdelina hissed. “What do you need to talk yourself into doing?”

“I was merely calling on the strength to walk away and leave my brother behind, knowing the conditions he faces…”

“He faces nothing,” Magdelina dismissed.

Vincent nervously glanced between us. I didn’t want to argue, and I certainly didn’t want to have a confrontation with the Queen Mother in front of him.

“He lost last night, didn’t you hear? It was all the servants could talk about.” Magdelina sighed, like it was old news, and she was bored of it.

I gasped, the woman’s words and her cold demeanor knocked the wind out of me as surely as a blow might have. She stared at the pain that had frozen on my face for a long moment, then she turned and fanned her robes on her way out of the room.

I sank down on the sofa and Vincent raced to my side.

“Highness…” he whispered, and cautiously blanketed my hand with his.

I jerked away from his touch and shot to my feet.

“Take me to my husband, please,” I managed around a sob.

“Of course, Your Highness.” He bowed and shifted nervously before turning and leading me down to the stables.

We found Philippe testing the straps that secured his horses to our carriage. He was as gentle with the animal as he usually was with me, even when he didn’t know he was being observed.

“Highness,” Vincent cleared his throat.

Philippe looked over his shoulder and frowned when he saw my tear-stained face.

“What is it? What’s the matter?” He quickly came to my side and placed his hand at the small of my back.

“Is it true? Did Stephan lose in the arena last night?” It was the hardest question I’d ever had to ask. Each word had to be forced past my lips and I feared I wouldn’t have enough breath to utter them.

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