if I told anyone. I did not know he had more planned.”
My body began to shake as I processed her words. Breathing felt impossible, my chest grew tight as I dug my nails deep
into her cheeks. She didn’t shout or whimper in pain, her voice silent enough to prove to me what her words were.
“You—You knew.” It’s all I could say as I pressed harder into her skin, breaking it. “You knew what he was doing to me.”
With my damning words the room began to shake again. Shadows poured from his body as he stood. His shadows slid over
my skin, creating a barrier between me and Kathlyn. They protected me---shielded me. I could feel his wrath deep within my
mind, awakening something inside of me as my anger grew. The hurt. The betrayal. It was overwhelming.
“How long?” I asked.
“What?” she sobbed, blood began to run down her cheeks.
“How long did it go on for? How long did you know? How long did you allow me to be hurt?”
“A—” she stopped, lowering her eyes and I squeezed harder, causing her to whimper in pain.
“HOW LONG?!” I screamed in her face. The ringing in my ears was becoming unbearable.
“SIX YEARS!” she shouted back. Sudden shock tried to take over my body. Everything felt heavy, my head dizzy and my
sight darkened.
“For six years, princess. He would sneak into your chamber—I could hear you crying, begging for help, but he wouldn’t let
me help you. His guards kept me away.”
I didn’t want to hear anymore. Icouldn’thear anymore. My heart shattered within my chest. How could she have done this?
I didn't even notice as she shouted and protested, being pulled away from me. Dragged through the throne room by an invisible
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force, she was thrown through the glass doors into the courtyard.
Hector stared in disbelief and shock.
Nicholas appeared behind me, his hands gentle on my shoulders as he brought my back into his chest. I heaved, desperately
trying to gather air within my lungs. I couldn't breathe.
“See to it he is taken care of. Not a word of this is to leave this room, understood?”
The guards all nodded in agreement, they wouldn't dare cross their king. Hector shouted about being removed from the
room, begging, and promising not to say a word. Nicholas’s arms dropped around my waist and chest, his shadows enveloping
me.
“You are safe. He will not harm you again. You, my sweet, you will have your revenge, this I swear to you.”
And I would.
I would destroy everything Dorian touched and cared for. I would ruin him, break him. And with Nicholas’s help, Dorian