Heart Broken

ALTHEA

That night, I sit in my room, staring at the wall. My heart feels heavy, and my mind won’t stop replaying the scene in the grove. It all still seems like a nightmare. How else can I explain it?

A sharp knock at the door pulls me out of my thoughts. Madeline peaks into the room. “Your father is back, he wants to see you in his study.”

My body feels heavy as I move, every step toward my father’s study a struggle.

When I knock on the door and hear his voice call me in, I take a deep breath, trying to steel myself.

I push the door open and freeze when I see who else is occupying the room.

Lila is already there, sitting primly in one of the chairs in front of his desk.

She turns to me with a bright smile. “Good evening , sister,” she says, her tone sweet. But there’s a smugness present in her gaze that I couldn’t miss even I was I blind.

I force myself to move, taking the seat my father gestures to.

I don’t meet Lila’s gaze.

I can’t.

My chest feels tight, and I clench my hands in my lap to stop them from shaking.

My father clasps his hands together and leans forward, before picking a letter with the royal seal stamped on it. His expression is serious, his tone somber as he begins to speak. “I have something important to discuss with both of you.”

I stay quiet.

“The invitation for the mate games just arrived.”

The air in my lungs seize at his words. It’s impossible.How could we have received an invitation?

“It’s mandatory for an eligible female from every family chosen to participate. We can’t refuse,” he continues, looking between the two of us.

There’s a beat of silence, and then he says, “one of you will have to go.”

My stomach sinks. I don’t like where this is going.

Lila sits up straighter, her brows furrowing. “But the games are nothing but bull,” she blurts out, her voice sharp.

“Lila.” Father says, his tone a warning.

Her lips press into a thin line, but the uneasiness in her eyes is unmistakable.

“Yes, I agree the games are quite dangerous, but the strong will persevere.” Father says, letting out a small sigh. “I’ve given this much thought, and I’ve chosen you, Lila.”

Lila’s reaction is immediate.

She shoots out of her seat, her chair scraping loudly against the floor. “You can’t be serious!” she exclaims, her voice rising. “You expect me to go into a competition I might not make it out alive from?”

Father sighs, his patience clearly wearing thin. “You are my eldest daughter. You will fulfill this promise.”

Lila grows frantic, her voice pitching higher. “First of all, I’m not really your daughter. And secondly, I can’t! I won’t! I-I a-already have a mate!”

The words hit me like a slap, my chest tightening painfully.

Lila whirls on me, pointing an accusing finger. “Althea can vouch for me. Tell him, Althea! Tell him about Aaron and me.”

My breath catches, and I feel my father’s eyes on me. “Is this true?” he asks, his voice firm.

I can barely breathe, let alone speak.

My mind races, my thoughts a jumbled mess. If I tell the truth, everything will unravel. I kept my relationship with Aaron a secret.

If I reveal it now, I’ll look like the jealous, bitter sister trying to ruin Lila’s chances.

“Althea,” Father presses.

I feel the weight of the room crushing down on me. Slowly, painfully, I nod. “It’s true,” I whisper, the words like poison on my tongue.

Father’s gaze shifts between us, and Lila takes the opportunity to launch into a speech about her love for Aaron, how they’re building something special, how much they mean to each other. Each word is a dagger, carving deeper into my heart.

I take a deep breath, the weight of the situation sinking in. But beneath the fear, something else stirs.

Anger.

They betrayed me. They humiliated me. And now, I have a chance to prove that I’m more than what they think of me.

“I’ll do it,” I say, my voice steady.

My father looks at me in shock. “Althea, you don’t have to—”

“I want to,” I interrupt. “This is my choice.”

Silence falls.

“I’ll participate in the competitions.”

Lila stares at me, her mouth slightly open. For once, she’s speechless.

Father looks at me, his brows furrowed, as if trying to gauge if I’m serious.

“Very well,” he says after a moment, his tone final.

The weight of his agreement settles over me, and I feel like I can’t breathe.

I’ve just sealed my fate, but at least I won’t have to hear Lila speak about Aaron anymore.

I keep my eyes on the floor, not daring to look at either of them.

My hands tremble in my lap, and all I can think about is how my life has just been torn apart, piece by piece.