Queen of Steel: Throne of Lies

Chapter 7

Robbie's words engulfed me in a sea of dread. The world seemed to grind to a halt around me as his cruel words reverberated endlessly. Allistair...with another woman? Surely he wouldn't have the audacity to betray me like that. Robbie's malicious grin only fueled the panic raging inside me.

"You're lying," I spat through gritted teeth, fighting to maintain my outward composure. It felt as if my chest was being crushed.

He merely shrugged those Armani-clad shoulders nonchalantly, his expression infuriatingly smug. "Why would I lie about where your man's been getting his kicks, darling?"

Teresa gripped my arm tightly, offering support and solidarity, but even her reassuring presence did little to soothe the fury and dawning panic consuming me.

"My brother would never do that to you," she stated firmly, that fiercely defensive edge to her tone making me feel less alone.

"Perhaps you both need to open your eyes wider," Robbie countered smugly, watching me with the sick delight of a jackal circling a wounded gazelle. "Your so-called prince charming fucked off with my date."

"I trust Allistair," Tamara's voice cut through sharply. "He's a man of impeccable integrity. Someone as vile as you has no right to make such disgusting allegations!"

Robbie's face soured. "Are you deaf? I'm telling you, he took off with my girl. That's a fact," he insisted, searching for a reaction from me. But I would voluntarily wear thrift store clothes than give him that satisfaction.

"That remains to be seen," I replied coolly, my glare burning into his eyes with the intensity of a red star.

"Tally, let's go find him," Teresa urged, taking my hand gently. "We'll get to the bottom of this."

As we turned on our heels, Tamara suddenly lashed out, punching Robbie squarely in the gut. He flinched but quickly straightened himself.

"And Robert," Teresa's voice rang with a bone-chilling promise, "I'm not done with you yet."

Pushing aside the anxiety gnawing at me, I let my friends guide me through the throngs of guests toward the balcony doors. As we approached, my heart pounded in my chest with the force of a hammer. Two silhouettes stood illuminated by the moonlight, and my stomach churned with something akin to fear.

"I'll go first," I whispered, summoning my courage with every fiber of my being. I stepped onto the balcony, feeling the cool night air against my skin.

Relief washed over me in a fleeting moment of happiness as I spotted Allistair standing at the railing, seemingly lost in thought. His distant demeanor suggested he was blissfully unaware of the agony that had devoured my soul for the past hour.

Yet, that brief relief turned to anger as I noticed the "mouse-rella" hovering too close for comfort, gazing at Allistair with star-struck adoration. My Allistair. Fury surged through me with a torrid force. A queen like me didn't tolerate insurrection, especially when it came to someone eyeing what belonged to me.

Steeling myself, I cleared my throat loudly. They both turned, surprise written on their faces.

"Allistair, darling, there you are!" I exclaimed brightly. I embraced him and kissed his lips while pinning her with a lethal glare. She shrank back instinctively.

"Tahlia! I was wondering where you were," Allistair said, returning my embrace somewhat distractedly.

I turned my megawatt smile to the girl while extending my hand out. "I don't think we've been properly introduced. I'm Tahlia. And you are...?"

I let the question hang in the air menacingly, still smiling.

She looked in all directions like she was evaluating escape routes and finally mustered the courage to speak. "I am Rosemary."