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It’s Arwan.
His blue eyes bore into me, and he gives me a subtle nod as if to say, I’m with you this time.
My father walks straight through him and grabs me by the wrist, making me shriek.
“How many times do I have to tell you, girl—don’t interrupt me when I’m working!”
He pushes me out of his office. I can’t remember the reason I had wandered in there. Maybe I missed him. Maybe I just wanted a smile, or some form or reassurance that I was loved in my own home.
It was a lesson that I wouldn’t find what I was looking for in the arms of the man I called Father.
“You were supposed to be watching her,” he says as he shoves me into Edward’s chest. “I have an important meeting with the king any minute now. I’m not to be disturbed.”
He’s in his youth, but still much larger than me. He’s wearing a suit that fits him perfectly, and when he grips my frail shoulders, his rings dig into my skin through the sheer frills of my dress.
“It won’t happen again,” Edward says with a lethal edge to his tone that makes my shoulders curl. At least, I try to squirm, but he’s holding me so tightly that my fingers are going numb.
When the door closes behind me, my brother grips me by the arm and drags me behind him. “I said to stay in your room. How hard is that? Maybe you need a bath to cool off.”
My heart jumps into my throat as I babble apologies, but my voice is carried off through the halls as Edward hauls me past scurrying maids and butlers. I try to plead with them, but they all keep their eyes on the floor as they hurry by.
When we arrive at the marbled bathroom, I scream.
I know what’s coming.
This isn’t the first time he’s threatened to help me “cool off.” But he’s never followed through with it.
“You just turned seven,” he snarls, which must be some sort of milestone in his mind that justifies the harsh treatment. “You will listen to me. If you don’t, this is what happens.” His gaze catches mine. He seems to absorb my terror as an inconvenience. “This is for your own good.”
Dark shadows curl throughout the bathroom as I cry, frozen in place. I can’t run. My brother is faster and stronger than me. This will be worse if I fight it.
But I don’t want to be dunked under the water, either.
I stare at the bath as it slowly fills. He doesn’t use any hot water, just the cold faucet from the manicured spiral spindles that control the temperature.
Terror skids up my spine when he turns the handle into the Off position.
“Are you going to mind me from now on?” he asks.
Shadows slither around his head as I fling my gaze up to stare at him. Hope sparks in my chest.
“Y-yes,” I immediately stutter.
He frowns. “That’s what you said earlier today. You lied to me, so I’m afraid I don’t believe you.”
My eyes widen as he grips my arm again.
The dark wisps wrap around us. I don’t remember that part, but maybe my memories are fuzzy.
Except, this doesn’t feel like a memory anymore.
It feels real.
A scream builds in my throat as my brother drags me toward the elegant claw-foot tub. I don’t get a chance to release it, as I’m dunked under, dress and all. The freezing water knocks the breath out of my lungs, shocking me.
I remember what happened next.
Water will fill my lungs.
