Steel Princess (Royal Elite 2)

Maybe they’re not.

Earlier, Uncle came to check on me before he went to bed. I didn’t miss how he barely made eye contact. His dark circles were more prominent like he hasn’t slept in days.

The possibility of being the reason behind that crushes me.

I haven’t seen Aunt since overhearing that conversation, and it’s for the best.

I still don’t know how to act around them just yet.

With a groan, I push off the desk and throw my body on the bed. It’s useless to study when I’ve been reading the same paragraph for hours.

I pull up Aiden’s number.

Elsa: Are you okay?

I bite my lip, waiting for him to see it.

Nothing.

Damn it.

I throw the phone under the pillow and close my eyes.

Everything will be fine in the morning.

* * *

A small hand surrounds my smaller one.

The one who shall not be named?

I glimpse up at him, his pretty trousers and shoes. His tousled black hair that falls on his forehead like silk.

He smiles down at me with a twinkle in his dark eyes.

His smile is like the sun.

Rare, but blinding.

I love his smile. It makes me feel safe.

Why am I not as pretty as he is?

I’m the girl, right? I should be prettier than the one who shall not be named.

“Can I say your name now?”

He places a forefinger in front of his mouth. “Shh.”

“Shh,” I repeat, tears filling my eyes. “Ma doesn’t like it.”

He grips my hand harder and leads me to the back garden. Bushes grow on either side of us like walls.

Dad doesn’t like it when I come here.

“Them monsters are here,” I tell the one who shall not be named.

“Shh,” he motions at the house.