Fuck.I knew the day would come when I’d have to facesomeone from my past and look them in the eye when I say I don’t remember them.
Warriorhead Khatri may be beaming now, but that happiness will turn to dust when he realizes that while he’s struggling to hold back tears of joy, I’m struggling to remember him.
I rack my brain, hoping to remember him, but nothing sparks my memory.
A warm hand engulfs mine under the table. Angel laces our fingers together and rests them on his thigh. It’s scary how effortlessly this man can turn my misery into something distant and faded.
I shake my head, and Angel’s eyes fall shut in defeat, his grip on my hand tightening in reassurance.
A moment later, the crestfallen look on Khatri’s face shifts into quiet understanding, and I don’t have to guess why.
Angel and I have a deal. If I don’t remember something or someone, he will explain on my behalf, so I don’t have to be responsible for crushing their hope. I know it’s selfish to put this on him, but I can’t bear the thought of someone crying over me. The lack of empathy they will get in return will only hurt them more.
It’s better to start over anyway. And judging by how Khatri is holding back from smothering me in hugs, I can tell he’s someone I wouldn’t mind starting over with.
When I offer Khatri a hesitant smile, his whole demeanor lights up. It’s comforting to know he doesn’t feel betrayed by my broken mind.
“It’s good to have you back, Princess Nevaeh. My mate and I have prayed for your return for years.” His deep South Asian accent evokes something familiar, but it’s not enough to trigger a deep-seated and fractured memory.
Khatri appears to be in his mid-thirties with a neatly trimmed beard and dark eyes that soften noticeably when he’s looking at me.
That look…it feels like déjà vu.
“Thank you, Khatri. For everything.” We both know I’m thanking him for far more than just protecting my kingdom.
Angel has told me stories about how Khatri stood by Papa’s side when he couldn’t focus on the kingdom because all his energy was spent searching for me.
Angel and Hazel have mentioned his name at least a hundred times over the past couple of weeks. I know he’s been handling everything back home, so my mate could stay here with me and help me search for Harvey.
Rick clears his throat, drawing everyone’s attention. “So you’re the missing princess. To be honest, Miss, no one thought we could salvage you after a decade.”
Salvage me?What am I, a lost earring?
“Well, I am here,warriorRick.” He flinches at my deliberate emphasis on “warrior” and my blatant disregard for his title.
Doesn’t feel good to be treated like you’re insignificant, does it, asshole?
Rick’s jaw ticks from whatever fire I lit under his ass, but he doesn’t seem too concerned about reeling it in. Instead, he makes another attempt to hide his foul thinking under the veil of politeness.
“If you don’t mind me asking, Miss Blackburn, have you given any thought about your role in the kingdom? I know it’s quite early, but I’ve heard there’s an opening in kitchen services.” Rick doesn’t even look at me. His words are directed at Angel, even when the question is for me,and I’m sitting right fucking here.
“If I were him, I’d tread very carefully,” Seiji mutters under his breath. I can see he has no real intention of actually warning Rick to back down. He’s enjoying this trainwreck.
Hazel is watching Angel like a hawk, clearly waiting for him to bash this idiot’s face into the ground, but I’ve come to realize that’s not Angel’s style.
“My apologies, council members. Maybe it’s too soon. After all, her scars are still fresh.”
I tense when Rick’s comment draws everyone’s gaze to myknuckles, where a thick white scar disappears under the sleeve.
I know I hide my scars, but it’s not because I’m ashamed of them. I just don’t want to force others to look at what was done to me.
Angel’s fingers slip beneath my sleeve, tracing the same scars Rick thinks I should be ashamed of. A vein on the side of his temple is pulsing like it might burst, and strangely, it makes me happy to see him furious on my behalf.
I can feel his frustration, but Angel keeps it out of his voice as he says, “You don’t have to worry about Nevaeh. The Fates have already laid out her path. She’s our futureHorsewoman of Death.”
In the Horsemen kingdoms, there are no kings. After the coronation, one becomes a Horseman of the Apocalypse, and their mate becomes the Queen. The Queen is responsible for the welfare and prosperity of the kingdom, while the Horsemen focus on serving the Sisters of Fate.
There’s never been a female Horseman, so I’m not sure how things will work if I’m chosen for the throne, and I don’t think Rick likes that possibility because guess who has a death wish?Rick the dick.
