Page 403 of Reign

There is blood drying between his fingers.

He takes me upstairs, tugging me along as my sandals drag.

The gardener is dead.

Dario is dead.

Miguel is dead.

My dress is ruined.

By the time we reach our bedroom, I can’t remember walking through most of the house.

Luciano is talking. I know because his mouth is moving.

Sometimes I catch words.

Princesa.

Safe.

Look at me.

Then they drift away again. He removes my dress. The fabric slides from my body. I watch it fall to the floor.

Chanel. Ruined.

His fingers find the tie holding my ponytail. He pulls it free. My hair falls around my shoulders.

Then we’re in the bathroom.

Water runs.

Luciano tests it with his hand. He helps me into the tub.

I sit because he guides me down.

The water around me slowly changes color. Pink. Then red. Then pink again as fresh water moves through it.

Luciano kneels beside the tub.

He washes my arms. My shoulders. My face. Carefully around my eyes.

His hands shake.

I’ve never seen Luciano’s hands shake.

“Elena.”

His voice reaches me this time.

Barely.

“Princesa, you have to talk to me.”

I look at him.

“Can you say something?” His hand cups my cheek. “Anything. Just talk to me, okay?”