King Forest did not stop the intruder. Not in the slightest. In fact, he said, “Keep going.”
Finally, after what felt like an eternity to the princess, the mind invader latched onto a particular memory. The most recent one where she’d obliterated the interrogation room and launched her father against the wall.
“What are you doing?” she gasped, feeling the memory being drained from her mind. “No! Stop!”
The intruder didn’t relent. With what felt like delicate fingers, they plucked the event from her mind. Ever so slowly, the memory drifted away, becoming a wisp of smoke that Gray couldn’t grasp onto until she no longer knew why she was fighting.
Gods, she was so tired!
The princess slouched into the chair, feeling its coldness. Wondering where she was, she had no inclination as to what had just unfolded.
Did I black out on the playground and lose my sight?
The exhaustion seeping into Gray’s bones made her want to sleep so she could worry about these things later.
“Very well,” King Forest intoned. “You may leave.”
A presence lingered inches away, but she was too confused and fatigued to try and sort that out for herself. “What happened?” she asked to anyone who’d answer, her voice hoarse and raw.
“Oh, just a few precautions. Nothing to be concerned about. It’s time for you to go to bed now,” Gray’s father responded.
“But…” she asked, really needing to know where she was and what was going on. “Where am I? Why can’t I see?”
A door slammed shut, causing the princess to jolt in her seat. The stiffness of the chair told her that something was off. She wasn’t in her suite, that was for sure.
“You just had your punishment for today’s incident at school. You don’t remember?” the king asked, his voice prodding.
“I–I remember the playground. But how did I get here?” she pressed, not liking the gap in her memory. Something was missing. A key part of her, like a hole in her mind. She didn’t like that feeling at all.
“You must’ve done what you always do during your punishments and disassociated,” the king tsked. “Always such a weak one who can’t handle her consequences.”
“No, but…” she went to argue. That wasn’t how her disassociation worked at all. Maybe for some, but not for Gray, even though she wished more than anything it did.
A silence fell over them, and soon, Gray’s vision began to return. Light blurred into focus as the interrogation room filled her vision. As she took in the disheveled state of the space, her eyes widened. “Gods, what ha—”
“Nothing. Not for you to concern yourself with.” Forest’s hard tone left the princess no more bravery to push further. “It’s time to go home. Now.”
Chapter 17
Slate
Peri rolled her eyes, teasing a hidden grin at Onyx’s antics.
I glanced at my friend, a plastic shot glass in his hand and an eternal smile on the shithead’s face. “What?”
“Shot?”
I wasn’t drunk. It was nearly impossible for me, but it was Friday the thirteenth, and with it being mid-March, spring began to thaw the icy temps, encouraging us to have some fun. We always met on the rooftop on Fridays unless there was an insurgency gathering or mission. This was the first time we’d been able to meet at our spot in weeks. It was much needed for us all to get together and be teenagers for once.
“Sure.” I chuckled and walked over to Onyx. With a glance over my shoulder, I spotted Peri walking toward Hazel, where they lowered to the rooftop to sit, crossing their legs. They fell into conversation, and I turned my attention to Onyx, who beamed at me.
Onyx held the tiny plastic cup out for me to take. “Bottoms up, Helair!”
I took the plastic shot glass and peered down at its contents. Brown liquor that wafted with the scent of Jäger hit my nostrils. Despite my stomach churning at the smell, I put it to my lips and tossed the liquid back, feeling it slide down my throat.
I winced at the strong aftertaste of the alcohol and then handed Onyx the empty cup.
The future King’s Guard took it and dropped it in the recycling bin beside him. Onyx had always taken the environment’s health seriously. The trash can only existed up here because of him. I didn’t doubt that he’d recycle this bin tomorrow.
