Empress Of Wrath, Blood And Desire

Chapter 21: Taste of your own

"Come on, I won't be long," I say, sitting on the edge of the bed to slip on my high heels. "I just need to get some cash so we can have something nice to eat tomorrow night."

With the last strap hooked, I lower my feet to the floor and glance at my sister, curled up at the other end of the creaky old bed we share.

Her pink flush lips are pushed into a pout, her eyes heavy with the kind of sadness I can't bear to look at for too long.

This crumbling apartment isn't much, just walls holding up shadows, but it's all we have for now.

It's not that we couldn't afford somewhere better. We could. But booking a room would light a beacon for the people hunting us.

They'd comb through every hotel and scrape surveillance feeds from every corner, leaving no stone unturned. We can't risk it. Not yet. So we stay hidden, living like ghosts, as if we don't exist.

"I know..." she whispers, her voice small and full of unspoken hurt. "But you're out every night, and I'm always alone."

I sigh and reach across the bed, taking her hand in mine gently. "I didn't get much last night. You need to eat, and I need to take care of you. I hate what I'm doing, but it's the only way to keep us going..." My voice falters, and I exhale slowly. "Especially since we're in this mess because of me."

"Don't say that." Her grip tightens, her gaze fierce despite the tears threatening to spill. "You did the right thing. We'd be dead if we stayed. That throne was built on blood, it killed our mother. And if the cancer hadn't taken Dad, the crown would have finished the job." She leans closer, her voice softening. "Running away was the only way out, and I'll never blame you for that. I love you, sister."

My sister has always been open-minded and levelheaded, the kind of person who thinks things through even when the world is falling apart around her. She has a way of grounding me, keeping me from spiraling when my thoughts turn dark and restless.

Before I know it, tears blur my vision, spilling down my cheeks before I can stop them.

She's right. I ran to protect us. Without our parents, we had no one, and if we stayed... my sister would be dead. She's all I have left, the only person I care about. I couldn't let her be caught in the crossfire then, and I won't now.

I plant my feet firmly on the floor and turn toward her, eyes burning with fierce affection. "I love you now and always."

She giggles her laughter light and brief, then leans over to press a kiss to my cheek.

"Now give me some sugar," she teases, moving her king hair behind her big ears.

I chuckle softly and kiss her back on the cheek before rising to my feet.

"Alright. Stay put until I get back, love," I say, slinging my purse over my shoulder.

"Yeah, right!" She shouts playfully from behind me. I roll my eyes because we both know there's no way she'd disobey. Not with what's out there waiting for us if we slip up.

"I'm serious, sis," I call back, my tone hardening just enough to let her know I mean it.

With that, I head out of the building and toward my car, bracing myself for whatever comes next.

-

"Sweet girl, I advise you to eat something," his deep, insistent voice grates on my nerves as I stare out the window of the private jet, swirling my fourth glass of red wine.