When the gown shifted and the light of the waning sun’s rays hit the fabric, I nearly stopped breathing. The material looked at me, threatening to unravel the evening and my insides.
A large black pour of paint lay crusted dry on the satin material. The shiny fabric surrounded the big dull oval, smeared from the top of the bust down to the center of the flowing skirts. There was no mistaking that the damage was done intentionally.
My body ignited with rage, recalling Maris standing in the foyer with a container of paint and brush in hand. I’d said goodbye to Allura, but hadn’t missed Maris’s hand carrying the weapon meant for my gown’s demise. There’d be no discussion or explanation to be considered; I would fucking kill her.
I shot through the adjoining bathing room, pulling on the door handle, only to find it locked. I exploded into the corridorin nothing but a nightgown, the material sheer enough to see the outline of my nipples and panties. Beehive pushing against the rush of air as I moved, I stormed to the next door. Let the whole fucking house of bees topple. I was a hornet and was on a mission to find my next victim.
“Audryn,” Fisher called, “you need?—”
“Not now!” I shouted. “I’m busy!”
The guard stationed outside Maris’s room narrowed his eyes at me and then lunged as I jiggled the handle and shoved the door open. He wasn’t fast enough to catch me before I found her and threw a right hook into her left eye. I tackled her to the ground, straddled her, and went to land another, but my arm was stunted mid-throw.
Her guard was too strong for me to fight through the restraint as he pulled me off the bitch. He wrapped his big meaty hands around me and plucked me from her as if I were weightless. I flailed and attempted to move forward, but made no progress.
Maris lay sprawled across the floor in a beautiful gown, nearly the same color as my mother’s. With her hand held to her face, she peered at me through one wide eye. She was lucky she’d been left with any to still see me.
“You fucking cunt! I’ll kill you!” I thrashed as the guard left me to dangle in the air with flapping limbs. I donkey-kicked backward into his thigh, nearly causing him to drop me. “Let me down, asshole!”
“Audryn!” Fisher shouted, and appeared in front of me. I kicked him in the stomach as hard as possible. He lurched forward and gasped.
“Get away from me!” I shouted, and continued to kick at the guard holding me back.
She needed to die. First, for the years of snubbing Benton and his husband, and then for ruining the only gown my mother ever owned. After she was dead, I’d fill her body withholes from my dagger for good measure. Maybe I’d put her head on a stick and dance down the street with it for her family to see.
“Audryn!” men and women shouted as they poured into the small room, consuming the space in an instant. Everyone near me was being struck with my hands or feet. I didn’t care who they were or the title they held. I’d hurt each of them until I made my way to the bird-faced bitch.
“Put her down!” The sea of guards parted as a familiar voice boomed through the air, and Ryder walked in. His order was dangerous, and I was dropped instantly, landing on the floor on my ass. He smirked and raised an eyebrow. “I suppose that’s one way to do it.”
I pushed my sweat-soaked rogue strands back and staggered to my feet. “She?—”
He raised a hand and stepped forward, our faces nearly touching. His voice was low and threatening. “I do not give a single fuck what your reason was for acting like a hideous beast. Go to your room.”
My chest heaved as I battled to slow my racing heart. Shooting my eyes at Maris, I sent a silent threat.
“Now!” the prince roared, sending droplets of spit at my face.
Fisher gestured to the open door and I obeyed the prince’s order. The guard stayed on my heels as I exited and made it to my door.
“Give me some fucking space!” I demanded. The guard shut my door and stayed in the corridor, leaving me alone and enraged.
I couldn’t be sure how long it had been or when he’d entered my room, but when his boots appeared in front of me, my body stilled. I didn't bother rising from my seat on the sofa.
“I’m not going to dinner.” I scowled at Ryder and gestured to my mother’s ruined gown. “She ruined my dress, and I havenothing to wear.” His eyes roamed over my nightgown, the thin fabric clinging to my sweaty skin.
He turned and looked at the garment hanging on the door. “And you know Maris is responsible how?”
“Don’t you see it?” I stood and stomped to the ruined dress. “First my mother’s necklace and then her gown. She’s the only one who can easily access my room. Is your affinity for her so grand that it prevents you from seeing what’s right in front of you?”
He drew his eyes down at me. “Don’t speak as if I am stupid. I don’t know what you women do when you’re not busy making my life more difficult.” Drawing back, he scanned over me thoroughly. “What I see in front of me is a spoiled little girl who does not know better than to roam the corridor half naked.”
I swallowed, but lifted my chin and held his stare.
“I’ll solve the issue.However, I expect you to get a hold of yourself.” His eyes narrowed. “There will be important people at this dinner. King Grave and his sister, to name two. I need things to go well for Rivale’s sake … and yours.”
My pulse quickened at the danger hovering over me.
“Remain in your room and, for Divine’s sake, do not contact Maris.” He looked me over before dropping his eyes down to my lips. Slowly he moved, and I drew in a breath, refusing to retreat. He placed a gentle kiss on my mouth, but I didn’t return the gesture.
