Torment ( Book Two )

Chapter 44

Chapter Forty-Four

Amber watched as the coffin was lowered into the hole in the ground.

It was a chilly September day but Amber would have been cold even if it was warm outside. It had been several days since Alice's death and now she stood with the other family members, watching Alice be buried. She had killed this woman. It was all her fault.

Once the coffin was placed, everyone stayed still and silent to show their respects.

Amber never imagined herself attending a funeral for someone who she had killed with her own hands.

Luna stood beside her and Amber peeked over at her. Her makeup was dark and her face was sullen. She looked stunning, though, in her elegant and large black dress, a dark silver crown placed in her hair which ran down her side in a braid. Her red lips were parted and her eyes were locked on the ground.

Luna had surprisingly spent a lot of time with Amber since the incident. Even though Luna didn't leave Amber's side, she hardly spoke. Neither one of them had said much and it was almost as if Luna found comfort in Amber's presence, but not her voice.

Amber looked to her other side where Sally stood. She wore a black dress, too, just like Luna and Amber. Luna had placed a red rose in her curled hair. Sally glanced up when Amber looked at her, offering a sad smile.

The funeral had taken place that morning before the burial and Luna had given a speech. She talked about how even though her and her sister "didn't get along," she would always consider her her sister and she would miss her. Amber tried her best not to gag. The whole speech sounded fake.

The priest dismissed the crowd, bringing an end to the funeral and burial. As the others wandered off, Luna stood still. A large group had attended the funeral and burial for Alice. Most of the people who attended were friends and family who lived in the castle with them. Others included people Amber didn't know. She assumed they were friends of Alice's and other family members she had never met. She was aware her family was huge.

Amber stayed with Luna until the woman sighed and walked away. Amber trailed after her as she headed towards the carriage they had arrived in.

Suddenly Luna turned around to face Amber. She knotted her pale fingers together. "Would you mind riding with someone else? I want some time alone."

Amber felt her cheeks flush with embarrassment and shame. "Sure," she choked.

Luna nodded and backed away. "I'll see you at the palace," she promised, turning her back on Amber.

Amber didn't move as she watched a guard offer Luna a hand as she climbed into the elegant carriage.

Amber continued to stand there, trying to decide if Luna actually wanted some time alone or if she was mad at Amber because it was her fault Luna just buried her sister.

She felt the cool wind hit at her face and tangle her hair.

Amber watched as Luna's carriage rode away before heading towards the one that sat behind Luna's. None of the other carriages were as grand as the Queen's and Amber wasn't used to riding any of the others.

Amber entered the carriage, finding Hailey and her parents sitting and waiting to leave. They smiled warmly at her as she joined them.

Amber sat next to Hailey and didn't speak the whole ride back to the castle.

....................

Amber drew a thick line, tracing the lips. She couldn't seem to capture just how wicked they had appeared in reality. She carefully shaded the face so shadows danced across the page.