“Maddox! Apologize at once!” Father said, dropping his fork with a clatter.
“But Mother could never be like that traitor or her daughter—”
Father glowered. “That is enough. Show your sister some respect.”
Lady Vanessa turned to me. “Please don’t take offense dear. Maddox is still...adjusting.” She offered a gentle smile.
I dropped my gaze to the gilded rim of my plate.
Maddox slammed his goblet down. Wine sloshed onto the tablecloth, staining the linen a deep red.
“She isnotmy sister,” he hissed. With a venomous glare, he stormed out, his blond ponytail disappearing behind the tapestried corner.
I chewed a piece of my chicken. It was dry and bland, somewhat a reflection of my feelings. I had heard worse insults from him both spoken to my face and behind my back.
The chickadee in the garden was a big gossiper. I could have gone without the knowledge that my half-brother thought me a cold-blooded snake demoness, but I had little choice in my companions, much less what they chose to talk about.
“I apologize on Maddox’s behalf,” Lady Vanessa said after a beat, as if the same thing hadn’t happened two nights ago. “He always had a temper.”
“We’ve spoiled him, that’s what,” Father grumbled. “He has no ambition and no interest in joining the Royal Guard even at his age. Shameful.”
The edge of the tapestry moved almost imperceptibly.
I took another bite of chicken, which had already gone cold. The little appetite I had since disappeared. Perhaps Misty would appreciate the tasteless poultry more than I did.
I stood from my seat. “Excuse me. I will have the rest of my dinner in my room.”
“Are you sure, Cissa? There’s pumpkin pie for dessert. Your favorite.” Father put both hands on the edge of the table, as if ready to spring up and fetch the pie himself.
“I’m sure.”
“If you need anything at all, just ask, dear,” Lady Vanessa said, brows furrowed.
I nodded, avoiding her searching eyes.
“I’ll take your meal to your room, milady,” the serving maid said, moving toward me. I grabbed the dish before she approached.
“No need,” I said. “Good night, Father, Lady Vanessa.”
I swept away before anyone could wish me a good night back. When I made it out of the dining room and into the hall, I heaved a sigh and leaned against the stone wall, watching the firelight flicker over the faded tapestries.
Greenwood Abbey was old-fashioned in every way, from the crumbling ceiling down to the ash-colored bricks that tiled the floor. The walls were thick and the windows minuscule, blocking out what little winter sunlight there was.
The structure would have served well during a siege, but the darkness and sterile decor seemed to lay siege against me. If it weren’t for Misty and the chickadee, I would have been alone for the entire six months I’d been here. Father tried to organize a celebration for my nineteenth birthday this coming spring, but I refused. Mother always said I would be queen at twenty. She promised to organize the grandest of parties and invite everyone of consequence to celebrate.
Now, even if there were a celebration, I didn’t know who would dare come.
“Congratulating yourself?”
Maddox stood a few paces down the hall, arms crossed. I merely stared. I had no interest in picking fights with anyone, especially not with someone who believed I was wicked to the core.
“Hey. I’m talking to you,” Maddox said, marching toward me. I turned on my heel, though it was the opposite way to my room. Before I could make much distance, he blocked my path.
“Speak when you’re spoken to, witch,” Maddox spat.
Irritation spiked in my chest. I wouldn’t have tolerated such treatment in the past. Despite everything that had changed, I was not going to tolerate it now.
“What do you want me to say?” I demanded.
