Decadence (Tree of Life Series Book 1)

by Nichole Austin

  “As you wish, Mother. May I be excused?”

  My mother rises slowly, walks down the three steps, and comes to me, laying her hand on my cheek. She softly kisses my forehead and murmurs, “I know the two of you care deeply for each other, but this is for the best. This isn’t to hurt you, Rosalyn. This is to prepare you for the road ahead. I’ve protected you from our world, but one day you’ll learn it’s not a kind place.” She takes a step back and cups my other cheek, as well. Her lips curl into a soft smile. “I am so proud of the woman you are becoming.” She nods her head at me to go.

  She can be proud of me all she wants, but she tore my heart out and took away the love of my life. Her words mean nothing to me at this point, and unless she allows me to have my time with Xavier, I couldn’t care less what she thinks.

  Pivoting on my toes, I walk from the throne room and wind my way through the corridors back to my chamber, which is my sanctuary. Throwing myself through the opening of my canopy, my white lace blanket wrinkles and gets wet when I fall across it and cry. While I cry into my arms, I realize that, though she’s trying to protect me, she’s the first person to show me how cruel this world can be.

  I’m just calming down when a pounding at the door startles me from my inner monologue. Taking a deep breath, I get up and walk past my dressing table as I make my way to the door. As soon as I open it, slamming it shut is the first thing I try to do. Instead, Xavier pushes his way into the room.

  Crossing my arms over my chest, I glare at him. “You can’t be here, Xavier.”

  He closes the chamber door. “I just need to talk to you, Addy,” he says as he runs his hands through his hair. He paces back and forth in front of my wardrobe.

  Tapping my foot impatiently, I begin sarcastically, “You want to talk? Maybe you should have said something earlier. Like, you know, ‘Your mother is about to stick us with a chaperone from now on.’ Or maybe, ‘This is the last time we are ever going to be able to touch without somebody in our business.’” Going straight up to his chest, I push my finger into it. “I have an even better one: ‘You no longer have me to confide in, Rosalyn.’”

  He grabs my finger and narrows his eyes at me. His pulse thrums faster in his neck as he backs me toward the picture window across from the door. “What did you want me to do? I’d just gotten home and was excited to see you. I’m not the bad guy here, Addy. Don’t punish me because I wanted to take advantage of the time I had with you before this edict went into effect. You have to understand something, Rosalyn. Your mother is queen. What she says is law, and you seem to think I outrank her.”

  Tears gather in my eyes. “So, you aren’t even going to fight for me? You’re just going to go along with this and not see me anymore?” Falling into one of my plush, white chairs, I put my head in my hands. There’s no way I’ll let him see just how heartbroken I am. Tears continue to run down the side of my nose and drip onto my dress.

  Xavier gets on his knees in front of me. “Rosalyn,” he pleads with me to listen to him, “What do you want me to do? You know if I don’t do what your mother says, she’ll just send me away again, and then you’ll never see me.”

  My head snaps up at these words, and my tears dry up. I’m vibrating with rage, and I push him. “Get out,” I growl. “Get out of my chamber.”

  His eyes are huge, and his mouth hangs open. Not once have I ever laid my hand on him in anger or raised my voice. “Addy, we need to talk about this. I won’t be able to sneak in here after this.” The way he begs infuriates me more.

  Getting up from my chair, I stand over him as my body shakes, and I’m doing my best not to claw his eyes out. “Xavier, leave! You don’t even have a problem with what’s going on, so I want you to get out.” Moving my arm, I point straight at the door. “Leave now.”

  He gets up and crosses his arms over his chest. “I’m not going anywhere, Rosalyn. We’re talking about this. Until we finish, I’m staying.”

  I open my mouth to scream, and he hauls me up against him. He whispers, “This is temporary, I’ll figure something out. You need to have faith in me, Addy. I just need you to stay strong in the meantime.”

  My heart stops at his final words. He wants me to stay strong. When is he going to understand that he is my strength? Loneliness is all I see in my near future.

  Tears run down my face. When I can barely breathe from sobbing so hard, he lets go of me, and I fall to the ground, crying at his feet. Xavier picks me up from the floor and takes us to the chair where he holds me tight. Brushing my curly hair away from my face, he runs his hand down my cheek, catching my tears as best he can, but I know it’s a battle he’ll lose. I grab a hold of his hand, and all of a sudden, I’m having a vision. . .

  A man with light brown hair has his hands tied behind him. His blue eyes as deep as the ocean look at me with pure hatred. Well, not me, because I’m not there, but someone. All of a sudden, he falls to his side, and his mouth stretches as he screams. I turn to see who is torturing him . . .

  Falling to the floor, I look up at Xavier. He’s looking all around the room with wild, crazy eyes. “I’ve got to go, I can’t be here.” He flies out of the chamber and slams the door.

  After he leaves, I try to make sense of what just happened. Everything has been too much. I need to go outside to get some fresh air to clear my head. I walk to my dressing table to look in the mirror and realize I need to wipe off the tear streaks. I’ve cried more today more than I have in a long time. Walking into the washroom by my bureau, I wet a rag in the sink to clean up my face. Once that’s done, I go to my bureau and change my cloak. The one I grab is very plain but it’s my favorite. In Caldia, wearing red is a sign of royalty, and this wrap is blood red, with black fur on the inside. It has enough fabric to billow in the wind when the weather is right.

  In a hurry, I make my way from my chamber. Without looking, I turn the corner, slamming into a hard chest and crashing to the floor. Dread fills me when I look up and see the one person I try to avoid at all costs.

  “I see we aren’t watching where we’re going,” he mocks as he crosses his arms over his chest. Taking a deep breath, I prepare myself for Lawrence. He’s one of our trainers, but he’s also a guard. For some reason, he has it out for me, and I still have no clue why. Maybe it has to do with the fact that he’s a little over two hundred years old and he’s just cranky. One thing I do know is he’s aged well with time. Other than a little gray in his coal-colored hair, he looks like a bad boy. He constantly walks around in leather that molds to his body.

  Picking myself off the ground, I fling my hair over my shoulder and put my hand on my hip. “I’m going outside.” Quickly, I try to brush past him, but he grabs my hand.

  She can’t go outside by herself. There goes my afternoon.

  I yank my hand out of Lawrence’s like he’s burned me. “What did you just say?”

  This afternoon is getting more confusing, and I wish that people would just let me be. All I want is some time to myself and some fresh air to think.

  He turns his head to the side and looks at me as if I’ve gone mad. “I didn’t say anything, Princess.” Shaking his head and speaking slowly to me like I can’t understand him, he says, “Princess, if you’re going outside, I need to go with you. You can’t go out there alone, you know that.” He frowns and starts walking, knowing I’ll follow.

  Quickly, I go after him, but I could have sworn he’d already said that to me. Shaking my head, I clip, “You don’t need to go with me. I’d rather go alone.”

  As soon as I try to walk ahead of him again, he grabs my arm. “I’m not giving you a choice, Princess. These are the queen’s orders. Either you allow me to escort you or I take you to her.”

  My blue eyes turn frosty as I glare at him. “Fine.”

  Lawrence and I walk together. As we turn the corner toward the throne room, I see my mother, cornered by Xavier. It looks like they’re fighting, but in the next second, he pins her hands above her head and slams his lips t
o hers.

  Chapter Two

  Rosalyn

  My mouth drops as I stare at the scene before me. A sharp pain shoots through my chest as my heart cracks and I grab it. White-hot anger like I’ve never felt thrums through my veins. I gather up my dress and run down the corridor past them, not caring if they see me. Getting out of here is my number one priority because no one should be privy to the sobs trapped in my throat.

  Rounding the corner, someone grabs my shoulder, stopping me, and I try to wrench myself away. My body shakes with the emotions running wildly through my body, making it hard to breathe. Looking up, I see it’s Lawrence.

  Giving him a pained stare. “Please Lawrence, just let me go outside.”

  For once, he doesn’t look at me with his usual stony glare, and for a quick moment, there’s a glimmer of sympathy. “You dropped your cloak. You’ll get cold without it,” he says as he raises his eyebrows at me. “I’d also like to remind you, Princess, that you’re not to go outside by yourself.”

  My eyes harden as I glare into his green ones. “Give it to me so I can go outside. I promise you can escort me.”

  Lawrence shoves the cloak at me, and I wrap it around my body, using it as armor against the cruel world I’ve suddenly been thrust into. Xavier just used his claws to slice me open and rip everything out. I bow my head, realizing my emotions are laid bare for everyone to see.

  “Come on, Princess, let’s go,” Lawrence states in his pitiless voice, motioning me forward with his hands.

  Pushing open the door to go outside, I smell pine and feel the crisp, cold air whisper across my cheeks. Taking a deep breath of freedom, I feel myself relax, and the tension releases from my shoulders. Automatically, I walk toward the lake where I like to think. I notice Lawrence is beside me. He hasn’t earned the right to walk by my side. I’ve only let one man do that—Xavier. I walk faster to get ahead of him, but he matches my pace.

  Finally, I throw my hands up and slam them down by my side. Rudely, I say, “Would you give me some space?”

  “If that’s what you want, I will. You looked pretty upset, so I thought you may want to discuss what happened,” he calmly says as he puts his hands up and backs away from me slowly.

  Uncertainty runs through me, but it seems he really means what he’s saying. I’m barely holding it together, so I look at him and know he’s all I have now.

  Looking around the clearing at the gorgeous landscape and the mountains piled high with snow across the lake, peace washes over me. Angling my body toward him, I look at him and softly say, “Okay, I’m going to sit by the lake.”

  He nods, walking toward the lake. I match his steps, the snow crunching under our feet, and it doesn’t take long before we’re almost to the log where I love to sit. As we approach, I trip over something. His hand shoots out and catches me. When our hands meet, . . .

  She’s finally going to have to deal with some sorrow. Everyone’s so busy protecting her that she has no clue what heartbreak is. Maybe now she’ll learn.

  Ripping my hand away from his, my eyes widen. Stunned by his thoughts, I shake my head because I have no clue why he feels such strong disdain towards me. Replaying each of our past interactions in my head, I know I haven’t done anything to him. His attitude needs to go.

  “Why do you hate me so much? What did I ever do to you?” I loathe the quiver in my voice but can’t seem to stop it.

  He looks over at me in surprise. “I wouldn’t say you’ve done anything to me. You may come to training, work hard, and be one of the best fighters I have, but that doesn’t mean anything. Respect is earned, and your behavior doesn’t show me that you deserve it.” The contempt in his voice proves I was mistaken to think I could confide in him, and it’s one I won’t make again.

  Every bit of energy drains from my body, and I realize I just need to be alone. Interacting with people is the last thing I need.

  Hanging my head, I mumble, “Take me back. I just want to be alone.”

  He nods, and we turn and walk back to the castle. When we get inside, he turns away from me, and I walk toward my chamber alone.

  Thoughts race through my head at a million miles an hour as I stare at the pebbled walkway. My feet drag across the black, gold, and gray stone on the way back to my chamber. As I’m coming around the corner, I raise my eyes to see Xavier standing in front of my door.

  Oh, hell no! I storm toward him. All I feel is rage when I look at him as the muscles cord in my neck and my nostrils flare. Once I’m closer to him, I’ve pulled myself together enough to play the indifference card, politely smiling when I stop in front of him. “What do you want, Xavier?”

  He turns his puppy dog eyes to me. “Will you forgive me and let me explain?” he begs, reaching out to touch me, but quickly pulls his hand back when I growl.

  “Go to hell, Xavier! Now move.” I’m in no mood for his nonsense, and I don’t even try to keep my tone cordial.

  His fists clench at his sides, and he barks, “Not until we talk about this.”

  Alizon stalks toward us. “I’m pretty sure my sister told you to move away from her door. I would do it if I were you, or I’ll do something about it.” Alizon’s voice is penetrating, and her eyes look crazed.

  Xavier slowly turns to Alizon. “Mind your own business.”

  I cover my mouth to hide the laughter almost breaking through. Even I’m not crazy enough to piss Alizon off. My eyes move between the two of them, wondering how this will proceed.

  They’re both very strong Witches, but the interesting part is, Alizon knows all the cards Xavier has in his hand. Xavier doesn’t have the same advantage. My sister is not only the strongest Witch in our kingdom, but she also has a power that only my mom and I know about. Well . . . Xavier might know since he’s boning my mom now, but who cares, because if he doesn’t, this’ll be fun to watch. Our mother ordered her to keep this power hidden, but she hates Xavier so much, I think she might actually use it, especially since he’s given her an excuse.

  Alizon’s face lights up with a sadistic smile, and I know she’s going to hurt him. Like my earlier vision of the man, he falls over and his limbs jerk. Foam oozes between his clenched teeth as he seizes from pain. Most people would be screaming. But not Xavier, he would never show weakness. Hurrying to Alizon, I realize her mind is too far away when I look at her glazed-over eyes. I grab her arms to shake her and . . .

  He deserves this for what he did, for what he did to

  my little brother. I’m going to make him suffer.

  Letting go as if I’ve been shocked, I rear back. Oh my god! What does she mean by ‘little brother’?

  Knowing I have to stop her, I file it away in the back of my mind to deal with later because she’s going to kill Xavier. When shaking her doesn’t work, I know I have no choice. Using all the training instilled in me from a young age, I deliver a punch hard enough to knock her out. Looking down at the two people knocked out on the floor, I’m stunned. I had no clue Alizon would go to that extent when she borrowed Xavier’s pain manipulation power. Looking down at Alizon, I know she’ll be fine. She’ll have a killer headache when she wakes up, but she can just borrow someone’s healing power. The person I’m most concerned about is Xavier. This was the first time I’ve seen his power in full force, and I’m scared about what it has done to him.

  Kneeling by his side, I see his eyes open slowly.

  As tears leak from the corner of my eyes, I whisper, “You’re okay.” My forehead touches his, and a tear drops on his face right before he flinches and pushes me away from him.

  Slowly climbing to his feet, he looks at me. “What you just did makes me ashamed to say that I helped raise you. You stood there while your sister tortured me. I can’t look at you,” he spits at me in disgust.

  Getting off the ground, I face off with him. “What I did? How about what you did, asshole?” My hand visibly shakes as I point it at him. If I had more powers now, he would fly across the corridor and slam into a wall. />
  He turns his back on me and slowly walks away, but I’m so fired up I follow him, giving him a piece of my mind.

  “You have ripped my heart out, shredded it, and lit it on fire to keep you warm. You’ve shattered me and hurt me since the moment you got home. I had to watch as you kissed my mother.” I choke at that last part and continue. “Then, I find out you did something to my older brother, and that you’re the reason he’s dead! Yeah, I did so much. Go to hell, Xavier!” Whipping around, I run to my chamber and slam the door, locking it so he can’t come in. If I could put a curse on that prick, I would in a second.

  Chapter Three

  Rosalyn

  A scream pierces the silence, and I look up to see a man in front of me. He’s the same man I saw when I touched Xavier, and I’m appalled at the change in him. His light brown hair is matted to his forehead with sweat and grime. I turn in a circle, looking around the room to see I am surrounded by stone, but there are also chains hanging from the ceiling. I’ve almost made a complete circle when I see Xavier standing to the side. He yawns before an evil smirk adorns his face. Something is happening inside me because I feel absolute heartache for this distressed man who I’ve never met. A feeling of helplessness fills me because there’s nothing I can do to help him.

  The screaming finally stops, and the man takes short, ragged breaths. Xavier walks to him, grabbing his hair. “Lucas, if you just listened to Kristiana, I wouldn’t have to do this. You control when this happens. Just do what your queen wants, and we can stop these sessions. I would rather spend time in my kingdom with the girl I love, not here having to punish you.” Xavier’s voice has just a pinch of sarcasm as he waves dismissively at him.