A Kingdom of Bloodshed (A Crimson Court Series)

*¬*Chapter Eight*¬*

      Gradually as the hold of shadows releases from the world outside, my eyes open. The events from early dawn filtering back within my mind. Xavier, a Blood Crown, Myra, my brother and Althea. It all makes no sense but asking my sibling out right would only cause him to hide his plans from me. I need to be smart about this. Sitting up with a grunt, I scrub my hands through my hair and slide out of bed, aiming for the bathing room. Filling the tub, I wait as the water warms and face the mirror.

It's going to be a long day. Not just because I have to pretend to be blind to the fact that my brother is scheming against me, but because today there's another challenge. It's just a series of dates but even so... I can't stand them.

Well... at least most of them. Thea and I's date are my favorite even if I've only had one with her. Turning to face the tub, I strip and then sigh as the warm water hits my skin. Sinking into it, I begin lathering my hair and arms. With so much happening today, I barely have time to think about what Althea told me previously. Not only is it vital information, but some broken part of me finds it hard to believe her. Ever since Beatrice... I can't seem to find it in me to trust anyone, to let them get close. I've had many brides since then, but none of them were romantic, more political plays on my part until they died. I know my brother had something to do with that, whether he killed them himself or pushed them to end their own life I don't quite know yet but either way, as leader of this kingdom, this court, I had to cover for him and take the fall.

It's why everyone outside of these walls thinks I'm a bastard and a horrible male. I can handle their judgments, their hate. But not hers. Not Althea's.

Something about the venom in her eyes makes my skin crawl and creates this urge to prove her wrong. To show her that I'm not terrible. And yet... I have nothing to prove for that. Not when I'm haunted by the sounds of screaming and glass shattering around me.

⤗

     Beatrice isn't in the study when I return from a trip to our neighbouring courts, trying to settle business and alliances. She was there when I left, but she's moved on since. "Bea?" I call out, taking my coat off and hanging it over the railing to the main staircase that leads upstairs. Her shoes are by the door.

Weird.

"Beatrice? Sweetheart, are you home?" I don't hear any sound coming from the main floor, my Fae ears would have picked up on it. Taking a quick detour to the garden out back, I peek in there, Beatrice loves the garden. But she's not here either. How odd. Where could she be?

Entering back into the house, I check the entire main floor, she's not down here. Figuring that perhaps she went upstairs to rest I climb the stairs, trying to be quiet so I don't wake her. Turning down the hall towards our chambers, I pause when I see that the door is cracked open slightly. Alarm bells begin to go off in my head. Creeping towards the door, I pause once more just outside it when I hear her voice, the sound of her laughter as she giggles to something said.

"Oh my, how funny you are. You always know how to make me laugh."

"It's my pleasure, my love. I just wish to make you smile and laugh everyday. You have a beautiful smile, brighter than the sun."

"Oh hush now, you're just saying that."

"I'm not." Their voices fall silent for a moment, who is Beatrice talking to? I don't recognize the voice. Her giggles appear a moment later, along with a whispered, "You know that you can't do this everyday. I'm married to Kazimir."

"Ugh, I know. Why can't you end that marriage? Come be with me. You know I make you happier than him, please Bea... I love you."

My world has begun to tilt from beneath my feet. Did I just hear what I think I did? Is Beatrice cheating on me?