Chapter Three: Breakfast With Vipers

Evelyn's POV

My mother always said that heavy things never fall even when shoved. I guess she didn't account for me.

Not that I'm fat. Or heavy......

The world tilts slowly..... or am I the one tilting?

Yep, it's me.

I hurl forward, crashing through the polished double doors of the dining hall.

Hitting the floor hard, the impact rattling through my bones, a sharp gasp leaves me.

The grand hall falls silent.

Every head in the room turn toward me. The chatter that had filled the hall only seconds ago die instantly; forks pause midair, goblets lower, and the sound of my choppy breath loud in my ear..

Heat rushes to my cheeks as I scramble to my knees. Gods, not again. Not in front of everyone.

Darn it, Laudia.

The harsh sound of the doors closing echo through the room, sealing me with my doom. Vipers wrapped in the finest clothing. Vipers who share my blood.

I lift my chin, refusing to let them see the tears burning at the back of my eyes. If they want a show, they wouldn’t get it from me.

From the head of the long dining table, my father clears his throat, his expression twisted in anger. “Must you always make an entrance, Evelyn?”

Lorkan Drayden.

He is different from when I last saw him. Large body that once filled every space he stepped into, now shrunk into the seat he sat in. Bright Hazel eyes now darkened with rage and something else I can't place. I can't even remember the day those eyes looked at me with anything other than hate and bitterness.

It's been long, too long.

Snickers and chuckle echoes round the table as everyone resumes eating, dismissing me.

Shame burns through me as a stray tear trickle down. Wiping it quickly, I push myself fully to my feet, brushing imaginary dust from my skirts. My voice caught in my throat, but I force myself to swallow the bitterness.

I scan the table before me. Everyone is here.

My father sat at the head of the table with both my brothers on either of his side. Theon, the eldest sat right to my father already dressed in the dark armor that marked him as heir. His mate, Selene, sits beside him. Our gaze meet briefly and she gives me the smallest smile, soft, almost pitying.

Ivan, my second brother sits left to my father. I avoid his gaze knowing what I would see. Hatred. Hot burning hatred.

Hatred for something I can't even remember happened.

My sister seems to be missing.

I notice that not just my family but that of my father's beta and gamma are present. And worst of all..... Astria.

My cousin looks perfect. Almost too perfect....

My gaze meets with hers. Her eyes furrowing in disdain, mouth tilting at the sides.

I am glad her parents are not here or else it would have been a competition of 'Who can make Evelyn cry the fastest.'

They aren't exactly my biggest fans.

Willing my legs to move, I ignore the empty chairs around my family on the long table to sit beside beta Rokan's mate. She was my mother's friend. She didn't shame me.

I am proven right when she squeezes my hands underneath the table immediately I sit down.

Dishes are placed before me and I force myself to shove food down my throat.

I don't want to be here. It was sniffling. Deceit hidden behind charming smiles and compliments.

It is torture.

♣︎♣︎♣︎♣︎♣︎♣︎♣︎♣︎♣︎♣︎♣︎♣︎♣︎♣︎♣︎♣︎♣︎♣︎♣︎♣︎♣︎♣︎♣︎♣︎♣︎♣︎♣︎♣︎♣︎♣︎♣︎♣︎♣︎♣︎

I sigh in relief as breakfast slowly comes to an end, surprisingly without any drama that seem to follow whenever my family and I are within breathing distance of each other.

My father clears his throat bringing all conversations to a halt.

"Western Kingdom has requested an alliance"

I spoke too soon.

The hall buzzes with interest. Whispers rising.

Ivan lets out a scoff. My father glares at him, but my brother just rolls his eyes rocking his chair.

"Those idiots are always at war." Ivan grunts.

A growl tears from my father's chest, plunging the room into silence. My father doesn't tolerate disrespect, interruptions sits almost at the top of the list. I think my name sits at the top because I am the greatest fuck you the goddess gave him.

Gasp! The disrespect.

But Ivan isn’t wrong.

The West kingdom is always at war. With the South, with the North (every freaking time) but somehow, never with us. Whatever deal my ancestors struck with them seem to stand the test of time.

Astria leans forward, her jeweled bangles chiming. “An alliance with King Arkan himself?”

“Yes,” father replies smoothly. “The Western King is at war with the North. To strengthen bonds, he has asked for a bride from our bloodline.”

I know what this is. My father's last ditch effort of control before Theon takes over. The rumors are already flying. My father's madness no longer a secret within the castle walls.

Lycans can't survive days after the death of their mate. He already survived seventeen years.

Woah.....

Hold up!

My stomach turn in knots. Surely… no. Surely they wouldn’t.

I whisper, “Is it… me?”

The silence that followed was deafening.

Shit, stupid lycan hearing.

Then my father barks out a laugh, bitter and sharp.

“You?” He slams his fist against the table. “Don’t delude yourself, girl. No king wants a cursed daughter who brings ruin wherever she walks. A girl who is a......” He trails off, eyes fogging.

Killer....

He didn't have to say it. It echoed. It resounded.

I could feel my heart cracking. All the years of wishing, wishing that we could be a family again.....

I looked again at my brothers. None of them spoke. None of them looked at me. Selene lowers her eyes, as if she can’t bear to see.

Tears gather “I only asked—”

Astria’s lips curls. “Don’t flatter yourself, cousin. I am the chosen bride.”

“Enough,” Father snaps, raising a hand for silence. His voice calm but firm. “Yes, Astria will wed King Arkan. But Evelyn, you will accompany her.”

My heart stutters. “Accompany her?”

“As her lady-in-waiting,” He continues, his gaze pinning me. “It is decided.”

“No!” The word escapes before I can stop it. “I am a princess, not a servant to my cousin.”

They can't be serious!

"You,” Father roars, voice echoing in the hall, “will go with her. You will serve as Astria’s lady-in-waiting.”

Astria’s laughter is soft and poisonous. “How fitting. My cursed shadow trailing behind me like always.”

The words strikes, sharper than blades. My throat burns, but I force the words out, rising from my seat. “I will not go....”

"ENOUGH! " Theon slams his hand on the table, standing. “It is settled. Evelyn will accompany Astria to the West. She will obey, and she will be silent.”

I meet his gaze, pleading. His eyes softens and for a second..... just for a second, he is my big brother. The one that chased me in the gardens, the one who drove the monsters away at night.

Just for a second.

Obey. Silent. The words caged me tighter than chains.

I force myself to swallow the lump in my throat. I would not cry here, not in front of Astria, not in front of them. If they want me broken, they will not have the satisfaction.

“Yes, Your Majesty,” I say, my voice flat, numb.

My hands clench tight by my sides, nails digging into my palms.

I am not a servant. I am not her shadow. One day, I will prove it.