Revenge

Chapter 7

I couldn't sleep that night. 

I spent the entire night watching my candle burn down until it extinguished itself in the little pool of melted wax. Fear gripped my heart as the darkness surrounded me, a fear I hadn't been able to get rid of since that night.

I pulled the blankets up over my head, hiding myself in even more darkness. It didn't help that I already felt awful. 

Would Dante come tomorrow? What would I do if he didn't? What would I do if he never came again? 

It hurt. It hurt too much to think about. 

So I stared at the blanket until a brightness beyond signaled that it was morning and I tossed the fabric aside before getting ready for the day. 

I went outside and waited. I gave it an extra hour. And then another. And then another. But this time, he didn't come and I knew I would probably never see him again. 

I went back to my room, feeling more alone than I've ever felt before. I've always had someone. When it wasn't my mom, it was Lillian and then it was Lyle and even if it didn't feel like it at the time, I still had Dante. 

And now I didn't even have him.

I couldn't bring myself to go to my classes despite father's warning. I knew he couldn't actually stop me from becoming king. It wasn't his choice. He wasn't a royal by birth, he married into it when he met my mother, the true queen. The only reason the other nobles followed him now was because I was here, ready to take the throne from him. The last living Lovell. 

I sat in my sitting room, staring out at the bleak grey skies until a knock at my door sounded. Hope spiked in my heart and I sat up, immediately granting them entrance. I waited with baited breath as the door opened, only for my hopes to crash and burn when a maid popped her head inside.

"What do you want?" I snap, unable to help my less than friendly tone. They all hated me anyway. 

She stepped back before rolling a cart forward. "I was ordered to bring up your breakfast."

"Why?" I furrow my brows in confusion. Who would have my food sent up to me? 

She shrugs. "I don't question my orders, your highness."

"Fine." I roll my eyes, my interest in the matter leaving as quickly as it came. "Leave it and I'll get to it."

She bowed before hurrying away. I survey the content of toasted bread, a block of butter, steak with a heavy layer of glaze with diced onions and a glass of wine. I frowned at that. Wine for breakfast? I snorted. Whoever it was, I was now grateful for them.

I start spreading the butter when the door opens again and I was ready to tell the maid to find something better to do than spy on me when I stopped at the sight of Dante. 

"What are you doing here?" I kept my tone cold but my heart was pounding. 

"I wanted to apologize," he said, looking everywhere but at my face as he came into the room. "I understand if you never want to see me again but I wanted you to know that I truly do like you. We just- I can't."

"Why not?" 

"It's complicated." He looked like he was in pain which made me instantly soften.

"It doesn't have to be. Can't we just enjoy each other's company? We still have awhile before I'm to be king. This doesn't have to end now. Besides," I give him a little grin. "I'm hopeless at knife throwing. I still need your help."

Dante cracks a smile at that. He was close enough now that if I reached out a hand, I could touch him. But I didn't, not wanting to scare him away.  Feeling like I would need a drink to get through the rest of the interaction, I lift the wine glass to my lips-