I sat at my writing desk and laid the two letters in front of me. After the long day, I needed whatever amusing anecdote or witty complaint was in Annalisa’s letter. However, my mind burned from whatever Brietta could to say to me after what had happened atthe ball.
I grabbed Brietta’s letter, curiosity overcoming any other reasoning, and tore the Hyton seal off the envelope. I unfolded the letter and read Brietta’s beautiful handwriting onthe page.
Sera,
I must begin with an apology. The Brietta you knew drowned to her death in wine at the ball, but I recognize that I unwittingly placed you in a precarious position of which I do not envy and could never understand. For that, I am deeply andtruly sorry.
Brietta Elvar was a weed among roses and a weeping sapling caught in storm after storm—unable to stand on her own. For years, you were my support, my safety net, and then a hindering crutch. Do not mistake me, I am eternally grateful for you and what you sacrificed to keep me content in times of strife. Brietta Elvar needed you. Brietta Hyton, however, will stand on her own. Brietta Hyton shall face any storm wearing the Duchess’s crown like the rays of abreaking dawn.
I apologize for how Brietta Hyton came to be, but I will not apologize for stepping out of your shadow. I refuse tobe meat.
By the way, I am not so foolish to think our one entanglement erased the years-long bond you have with my husband. I expect to see you at the palace soon, and I hope to see you again asmy friend.
Sincerely,
Brie
I threw the parchment back down on the writing desk in a huff. Apparently Brietta had adopted the Hyton arrogance after only a few days in the palace. At least she recognized Derrick did not love her, but nothing she said made my situation any better. I sat at the writing desk and stared at the flickering candle as I debated burningBrietta’s letter.
Before I gave into my destructive urge, I opened Annalisa’s letter, hoping she had something more pleasantto say.
Dearest Sera,
I hope you are not freezing to death on the mountain. I hate thinking about the First-selected being trapped in that snowy wasteland for all eternity. Speaking of wasteland, I only have a few days left before Grigory comes back from his army mission and I am shipped off to Thornebow forever. I hope Father lets me stay in the palace longer, but honestly being home is not all I hoped itwould be.
If Mama is not with my sisters, she is with Brietta. In fact, Mama and Brietta are together so often that I have barely seen herat all.
Since I am spending so much time by myself, I looked all over the palace for the paintings I sent Father while we were in school. Do you remember the painting of the three pink roses I made? It was the best painting in the whole school—and we were only fourth-years! I had sent it to Father as a birthday gift. Well, Sera, I could not find the painting anywhere. Nor any of the others Isent him.
By the way, I need to hear from you immediately so I know you are all right. If Bloodstone has hurt you, I will ride up to the mountain andstab him.
Do not give yourself to him, Birdie. Ilove you.
Best regards,
Annalisa
I read the last line of the letter over again. The entire letter was in Annalisa’s perfect handwriting, so I had no doubt she wrote it. Derrick must have stood over his twin’s shoulder and told her what to write. If tensions between the Barons and the House of Hyton were high, no one could know the Duke’s heir had commanded a future Baroness to annulher marriage.
I bit my tongue and hissed out a breath. Derrick had wanted me to protect myself if Riyan became too ferocious, but he also wanted me to not consummate my marriage at all? Even though he knew his father would own me otherwise? Was he really so jealous that he would rather risk his father’s fingerprints on my skin than let me have securitywith Riyan?
My mind spun like gears inside a clock. Yes, he would—my sweet Midnight was still a Hyton. Once his father died, not only would Derrick inherit the crown and Ravenwood, he would inheritmeif mymarriage annulled.
Derrick’s whispered words sunk their claws in the base of my mind and seared themselves into my consciousness like a brand. “And youare mine.”
I clapped my hand over my neck where the ghosts of his bites still lingered. I had worked for years to make the heir mine, but I somehow had let mycontrol slip.
Derrick was not mine.Iwashis.
Lightning crashed from my chest to my hands as I yanked up the hem of my skirt. I untied the Hyton dagger from my garter and threw it onto my bed with atight-lipped scream.
Love and protection, my ass. That dagger was a symbol ofDerrick’sownership.
I hissed out short breaths as I shoved my clothes off my body. I threw my nightgown over my head and let the soft fabric flutter over my skin like acalming breath.
I let out another slow breath. I was not going to let emotions overtake me. My fingertips ran over the bumps of the white thread at the edge of my sleeve, imagining that I wassewing again.
Like a needle through linen, I was focused, deliberate,and calm.
