Aurelia’s POVPain throbbed through my face in hot, blinding waves.I groaned before I could stop myself, the sound ripping out of my chest as I curled inward, my fingers digging into the cold stone floor. My cheek burned like it had been branded, my ears ringing so loudly it drowned out the world for a moment.I tasted blood.Slowly I pushed myself up on shaking arms. My vision swam, then cleared enough for me to see the hem of an expensive gown, the kind only royalty wore. My stomach dropped before my eyes even traveled upward.Shannon.She stood over me, her back straight, her chin lifted, her expression twisted in pure disgust, as if I were something foul she’d stepped on by accident.“So,” she snapped, her voice sharp enough to cut skin, “what exactly do you think you’re doing here?”I swallowed hard and forced myself to my knees, my head bowed automatically. My body had learned this posture too well these past days.“I’m sorry,” I stuttered, my voice hoarse. “I was just… cleanin
Last Updated : 2026-01-20 Read more