Ash's Place

Chapter 21

Ash's POV

Aiden is extremely pale and in obvious pain as he leans against the wall of the Queen's bedroom, watching me with his steely gaze as I wrap a bandage around the Queen's obviously broken wrist. I silently offer to help ease his discomfort and he shakes his head. So, I return my focus to my job. The Queen hisses in pain as I straighten her fingers to secure the wrap around her hand. At least she isn't unconscious this time.

Aiden gags and runs to the bathroom again and I sigh in disappointment. I don't know why he continues to flaunt his powers like that. He can't actually use the power that other people's pain brings him; it just makes him feel better about himself until he ends up sick. I know he is scary looking when he plays with his magic and I know the relief that comes when he steals your pain. I also know the terror that follows when he absorbs your pain into his own body.

He does it because he likes to make other people feel less than him and he is a very convincing manipulator. He gets that lovely trait from the King as well.

I fasten the clips on the edge of the bandage and the Queen looks up at me from her seated place on the floor, surrounded by scattered magazines and an overturned vase.

"Your father isn't a bad man. He just has a temper. I shouldn't have instigated another argument."

I force my face to remain neutral, "He is not my father. He is just a contributor to my DNA."

Just like you. You are not my mother.

"Ashlee, you are too hard on him. He loves us."

"He loves himself," my response is flat and quick and she sighs.

She pushes herself up onto her knees and I help her stand up, hating that this is my job. Once she is settled in her chair, I pick up the knocked over side table and reposition the magazines. I clean up the water and smashed flowers and throw them into a trash can. Aiden stumbles out the bathroom, looking slightly less green and when his eyes find the Queen's wrapped hand, his eyes soften just a little.

He walks over to her and sits down at her feet, resting his head on her knee. She takes her other hand and gently strokes his hair. My heart clenches at the motherly affection she is showing my brother. He melts into her and part of me feels bad for him. Maybe if he had received the nurturing he needed when he was younger, he would be a better person now.

His voice is hoarse and rough when he says, "What was he mad about this time?"

The Queen sighs, "It was my fault. I asked a question I shouldn't have. But it's okay, Ashlee did a good job fixing me up for now."

"I shouldn't have to..." I mumble under my breath.

The Queen pins me with a glare, "When will you learn that silently obeying men is the best thing for you?"

I take a deep breath and clench my hands at my side, "It's not."

She smiles, "Just wait. When your husband strikes you for the first time, you will realize that the pain of your disobedience is not worth defending your morals."

How broken does a woman have to be to believe that she deserves that?

I defend my husband, "Alexander isn't like that."

Her smile turns sad, "Yet."

I shake my head, "You don't know him! He is nothing like your husband!"

Aiden sighs, "Can you not yell? My head hurts."

The Queen looks back down at her son and gently pats his head, "What's wrong, my sweet boy?"

I can't stand to see her love him the way she should have loved me so I leave. I don't understand why she has always coddled him and neglected me. I am her only daughter. I am going to be the next Queen. I have followed all her rules. I have obeyed. I have listened. But it is never enough for her. I guess marrying me off was her answer to hide my bruises.