Page 104 of Trust the Fall
“Just because you can’t keep your hands to yourself where she’s concerned, it doesn’t give you any right to tell me what I can and cannot do, River. I have no intentions of pulling the damn princess card often, but in this moment, I feel I should remind you that I don’t answer to you.”
He raises his hands, the stone façade giving way until he’s grinning down at me. “You are so much like her, you know.”
I purse my lips. “Let’s not... draw parallels between me and Camille. Not after that,” I say, motioning in the direction of the alcove and pulling a face.
He chuckles. “Right, yeah. Anyway, all I’m asking is that you give her this one night. She has been waiting for this for a very long time. Just tonight, please.”
I don’t say anything, because there’s nothing to say. I want to fight him on it, but he’s probably right. What’s one more day going to hurt? If I allow her this night, perhaps she’ll be more inclined to give me what I want tomorrow.
I nod, acknowledging his request.
The queen strolls in wearing a dress that matches my own, except hers is ivory, and the tiny crystals that cover her bodice are diamonds that shimmer under the twinkle lights.
She walks with a grace I will never possess to the front of the room, stepping up onto a raised dais where a large settee sits front and center. She doesn’t sit.
So we’re doing the introductions immediately. I steel myself for the attention about to rain down on me. I don’t want it, but it can’t be helped. I’ll play the game if it ends in my returning to Luke faster.
Standing tall, she raises her arms out to her sides as though she plans to give the entirety of the ballroom a giant hug. “Reapers, today marks the start of a historic change for our kingdom.” Her voice booms throughout the ballroom as though she’s wearing a microphone. If she is, it’s hidden well. “My daughter has finally come home.”
She extends her arm toward me, and all heads turn in my direction.
Despite having known this would be the outcome, my initial reaction is to slink into the shadows and hide. But I’m not a coward, so I stand tall and look as many of them directly in the eye as I can.
I can’t have Camille thinking I am weak or someone to be pushed around. Not with all of the requests I’m going to be making tomorrow.
Questions are fired at the queen about where I came from and where I’ve been.
“Her story is hers alone and not the reason I brought you all here tonight. I know you have questions, and someday perhaps Victoria will choose to share her story with you, but today I ask that you all welcome her with open arms as the future queen of this magnificent kingdom.”
Uproarious cheers bounce around the room, and it’s deafening. It strikes me as odd how welcoming they are of me one day being queen. Especially considering there are many unanswered questions surrounding me.
“They’ve been groomed to know that one day you’d return and take the throne,” River says into my ear.
I shoot him a glare at having yet again pried. I’ll really need to put him on his ass one of these days to send the message.
“Quiet now. Quiet,” Camille says. “I have one more announcement to make.” The room goes silent as all reapers stand at rapt attention, awaiting her news.
“There’s to be another party tomorrow.”
People clap excitedly around me, the enthusiasm overwhelming. This must not be normal for Solis. You’d think they never have parties the way they’re bouncing around, offering hugs to their fellow reapers. It’s bizarre, as these beings don’t strike me as the affectionate type, yet right now, they almost appear childlike.
“It’s the champagne. Alcohol affects them differently here.”
“River, I swear to God, I will cut—”
“As you know, the terms of my punishment state that I am to reign as queen until my heir returns and takes the throne with her king by her side.”
Dread claws its way up my spine and over my entire body. Before she’s even had a chance to say the next words, I double over, feeling like I’m going to be sick.
“Victoria,” River says, bending down to look at my face, “what’s wrong?”
I shake my head, unable to voice my growing concerns.
Nobody around us pays any attention, all eyes remaining on Camille.
“Tomorrow we shall celebrate the wedding between our esteemed guard River Nix and my daughter Victoria.”
The floor drops out underneath me and the wind is knocked from my chest. River grabs my elbows to steady me, helping me to stand fully as cheers ring out and well-wishers turn to us.