Chapter Twenty-Seven
Rosalyn
Waking from a brutal sleep from the sound of your mother’s voice in your head making demands is not the ideal way to wake up. I’m still drained physically and emotionally from the heartbreak I experienced two days ago. Not just from losing Lawrence, but also having my whole identity stripped from me.
I’m here if you need me. The voice is deep and understanding, unlike the other three men that have been in my head.
Lucas? I’m pretty sure it’s him, and that’s when I hear his chuckle. It’s definitely me, Princess. In the garden, I could tell he was understanding. Every fiber of my being hopes he is. I’ve been alone since the day Lawrence broke my heart, and Xavier laid me in this bed.
I wish we weren’t separated right now. I bring my knees up to my chest and hug them. Having four people in my head should make it feel crowded, but they’re not where they can put their arms around me, which is what I need right now. In reality, I’m alone.
Rosalyn, I’m here if you need me. All you need to do is say my name, and I’ll be there to listen to you. I have to go, but call for me if you need me. Before he cuts off communication completely, I see a glimpse of his Cassie.
We all have separate lives. I know he has a daughter, and a possessive streak runs through me. He had to make her with someone, and wild, irrational anger and jealousy bubble in the center of my being. I want to let loose an ear-piercing scream and push back into his head and make him declare his love for only me, but then understanding replaces my anger, and I take a deep breath. I know just how Alaric has been feeling all these months. For hours afterward, I stare out the windows, looking at our snowy landscape, not caring about life and wishing for simpler times.
When I hear a knock on my door, I just can’t bring myself to care. Losing my first relentless love has stripped me bare in such an intense way that I feel numb. My heart is withered and dead, and I have nothing left to give to anyone else.
The door opens and soft footsteps walk across the ground and stop when they reach the side of my bed. A throat clears behind me. “Rosalyn, did you hear the queen?”
When I look out the window again, I see the sun is almost above the castle and remember my mother’s message. When I roll over and get a glimpse of Scarlett, she’s in a beautiful champagne dress. It has intricate beading on the top, and her hair is now long enough that she’s curled it and pinned it on her head.
Racking my brain to remember my mother’s message, I don’t remember anything about dressing formally. Looking at her in surprise, I ask, “Why are you so dressed up?” She shakes her head at me and grabs my arm to pull me out of bed.
“Come on, let’s get your dress and get you ready. You don’t want the queen coming after you.” She smooths my hair away from my face. “I’ll even do your hair and walk with you to the throne room.”
Gradually, I sit up, amazed she’s in here helping me get ready. Normally, this would be Alizon, and just that thought overwhelms me, and my emotions almost take over again.
She has me sitting at the end of my bed when she goes to my wardrobe and whips open the doors. She doesn’t even search through it. She goes straight to the area where I keep all my red gowns. When she grabs my finest gown in deep red velvet, I know something big is happening. It’s enough to jar me out of my numbness. I’ve never worn that dress. I just had it made. It’s a dress for weddings in Caldia, or a coronation in another. I’m completely baffled, but I hope it upsets my mother when she sees me wearing it. Well, truthfully, she isn’t my mother.
Scarlett comes over. “You’ll have to get a hold of your feelings before this. Of all people, you know your mother the best. She’ll tear you apart.”
When she finishes her statement, it’s like I’ve been pushed outside with no clothes because I’m not really her daughter, which means she’d have no problem doing to me what she did to Scarlett. My hand is jerky as I run it through my hair, and I motion for Scarlett to hand me my dress. Rushing into the bathroom, I get the dress partially on and realize I need her help to do the rest of the dress. Opening the door, a gasp welcomes me.
Glancing up, I see Scarlett’s wide eyes, and I position myself in front of the mirror to see myself and ask softly, “Will you help me?”
In the mirror, I watch her move behind me and tie the corset of the dress. When she’s finished, it feels like my breasts are shoved in my face. She continues and fastens the buttons that go all the way down the train of my dress. She takes the piece of black velvet at the front of my dress and ties it in the back. Now it feels like my boobs are their own little island. Nausea boils in my stomach because I’m showing so much skin, and I’m going to be doing so in front of the whole kingdom. It’s one thing to tease, but you don’t bare yourself for the whole world to see.
“Let me do your hair,” Scarlett tells me.
Pushing her hands away, I turn around. “No, I’m going to leave it down.” My cheeks turn pink as I head to the sink in the bathroom and wet it to let the natural curl take over, pushing it over my left shoulder.
My heels echo on the stone as I grab Scarlett’s hand so we can run. All I can hear is our breathing and our shoes echoing along the corridors as we run through the twists and turns toward the throne room. While we’re running, I notice the corridors are completely empty. I’m hoping we aren’t late. Reaching out to Xavier, I ask, Is everyone there?
He promptly answers back. Run faster, Addy. Everyone is almost here, and they’re shutting the doors in a couple of minutes.
Picking up my speed, I pull Scarlett. We are so close, and I don’t want either of us to end up in the dungeons because we were late.
We reach the throne room just as they are about to close the doors. My heart is racing so fast, it feels like it’s going to beat out of my chest. We made it just in time. Scarlett goes to the side and is absorbed by the crowd. I catch my breath and slow my breathing down as I walk toward the front.
My mother glowers at me, and her lips pinch together. Get up here right now, young lady!
Giving her a tiny nod, I drop into a curtsy when I’m in front of her before I make my way to my throne. Putting my hands behind me, I smooth my dress as I sit down. Everyone looks at my mother, including me. She wanted all of us here for a reason. Now we want answers.
With a regal air, she stands from her throne and looks down upon her people. “I brought you all here today to make an announcement and inform you about an upcoming event.” She turns, locks eyes with me, and then joyfully says, “Before I do that, I need to call two of my guards to the front. Lawrence, Xavier, come forward.”
My heart literally stops beating for a few seconds as she points toward me. That’s when I see she’s telling Lawrence to stand by me. Everything sounds like it’s coming from the inside of a fish bowl. Scarlett’s eyes meet mine as she makes her way up to the dais and stands up here as well.
My mother snaps her finger, and I snap out of it. She’s motioning for me to stand up, so I grip the arms of my throne and stand. Without moving my head, I try to look at Lawrence and implore him to look at me, but no matter how much I try to catch his eyes, he continues to stare ahead.
My mother clears her throat, and I look toward her again. “My daughter Rosalyn has begun to display extremely strong powers, and, as all of you know, it is a rite of passage for all of us to go on a mission.” Everyone cheers. Quickly, I look around the dais and realize everyone going on the mission is up here except Alizon. Where is she?
My mother allows the cheering to go on for a few moments before she stops it. “I’m sending her to the Wildlands of Lapshire with Xavier, Lawrence, Scarlett, and Alizon.” There is a collective gasp through the throne room. They’re just as shocked as I was when I heard, but there’s no changing this mission. No matter if this is a mission that’s intended for people to die, we all have too much to live for, so that’s not happening.
Out of the corner of my eye, I see Scarlett make her way down the stairs
into the crowd, and realize I must have zoned out again. Xavier makes his way down, but Lawrence remains up here on the dais with me, and he doesn’t look right. When he doesn’t blink, I realize my mother has paralyzed him. I move to help him, but my mother gives me a searing look and the throne room doors open. My sister is led into the room in shackles with a look of murderous intent in her eyes.
My mother’s smile is so big, I can see all her teeth. “Splendid, everyone’s here.”
Everyone is looking between Alizon and my mother. My eyes find Xavier, and I see he’s being held in place by a guard. My chest tightens, and a sour taste fills my mouth. I don’t like where this is going, Xavier.
Take a deep breath, Addy. We’ll get through this like we get through everything.
My mother claps her hands together and announces, “I also brought you all here today because we have a reason to celebrate. Both of my daughters will be getting married.”
Time slows down, and I become starved for air. A voice whispers in my ear, “You will do this or I will kill Xavier and Lawrence.” The blood drains from my face, and I look at her. My mother stares at me maliciously before pasting on a beautific smile.
Carefully, I meet my sister’s eyes, and I’m surprised my mother isn’t dead with how intently she’s glaring at her. Alizon looks at me and mouths, “I’m sorry.”
My eyebrows draw together, trying to figure out why she’s apologizing, but I don’t even get a chance to ask because I get my answer when my mother speaks. “Today you will be witness to Rosalyn marrying Lawrence. I’ve watched the two of them fall in love over the last few months. Lawrence approached me a few weeks ago to ask for Rosalyn’s hand, and two days ago I granted it to him.” My eyes cut over to Lawrence to see if it’s true. His face is flushed, and he won’t meet my eyes. It’s bad enough that we love each other and fate keeps us from being together. Now my mother is forcing our hand and embarrassing him. Unbelievable.
Biting my lower lip hard, I keep the tears at bay. Rosalyn, I’m keeping the other guys out. I need you to focus on what’s going on, sweetheart. The last thing I need is for you to be dead.
I can’t do this, Alaric.
With fierce determination, he responds. My girl doesn’t give up so easily. You’ll do this because you don’t have a choice. As long as you don’t have sex with him, the marriage can be undone. Stay strong. You’ll be on your mission soon enough. He breaks off communication, and I feel his firm shield put back in place just as my mother tells me to join her in the middle of the dais. Red is prominently displayed all around the room today, and it makes sense now.
Lawrence takes my hands, and I’m surprised we can both hold onto each other because our palms are so sweaty. Looking up at him, I realize once again, we’re a team. We would have been happy before duty and prophecies got in the way. He would have been my choice. My heart picked him before the world played this sick game. Now we’re stuck until I can figure out a way to get out of this.
We repeat the marriage vows between clenched teeth. My hands curl into fists, and I’m taking deep breaths when my mother announces that we need to kiss. I look toward the ceiling to keep the tears from falling. Lawrence puts his hand on my cheek and whispers, “I know this hurts you, amare, as much as it hurts me, but we have to do this.” He brings my face toward his and gives me a completely lackluster kiss. He turns me around, and everyone cheers. It’s then that I see Xavier’s face. He can’t stop staring, and from here, I can tell his teeth are gritted together. The anguish coming off him is palpable.
What my mother says next sickens me and I almost vomit. “My daughter Alizon and Xavier will also be marrying. They’ll make great mates and have been given my greatest blessing for future children.” Alizon and Xavier growl at the same time. My eyebrows draw together, and I look at Lawrence, who’s glaring at my mother.
“What’s going on, Lawrence?” He looks at me and shakes his head. When I watch Xavier and Alizon stand in front of my mother, I take a shaky breath, “Will you hold me up through this?” Lawrence wraps an arm around me, and I shudder.
Xavier visibly swallows so I get inside his head like Alaric got in mine. Xavier, I didn’t want to do what I just did, but I did it to save your life and Lawrence’s. Just say the words and get through this. We’ll figure everything out on the mission.
The trembling in his voice lets me know he’s beside himself. Watching you marry him was hard, but having to marry your sister is going to make me sick. She’s going to kill your mother and me for this.
Looking at Alizon, I see the guards take the shackles off her and her hands curl into fists. Her eyes narrow at Xavier. I’ll talk to her. This isn’t your fault, it’s my mother’s. Just get through this. We’ll deal with everything when we get out of here. Alaric told me to stay strong, and you need to do the same.
I cut off our connection as he’s forced to take Alizon’s hands. I’m amazed she’s allowing it, but I’m not stupid. I know she’s being coerced the same way I was. We’ve all become pawns in my mother’s games.
As I watch them say their vows, I wince. But I’m not experiencing everything the way Xavier did, the difference being I don’t have to watch them kiss. My mother knows that one of them will end up injured if she tries to force that.
They turn to face the kingdom, who cheers for them as they cheered for Lawrence and me. While everyone else is celebrating, the four of us are dying inside. My mother motions everyone to calm down and then makes another announcement. “Tomorrow. Rosalyn, Lawrence, Xavier, Alizon, and Scarlett will be leaving on their mission. Tonight, we will feast before they return to their chambers to spend their first marital nights together. I wish my daughters blessed marriages with an abundance of fertility.” We both growl at her, but she continues. “I hope they provide me with grandchildren soon. With that, let’s feast. I know the cooks have been working hard.”
The throne room quickly clears out, and my mother turns toward us and clears her throat. “You four will do as I say. I don’t want to hear a word out of you, and you’ll learn to be happy with each other.” She gives me a calculating look. “You should be happy. Weren’t you heartbroken when Lawrence ended things with you?” she asks. “Now you get to spend the rest of eternity with him.” She then glares at Alizon. “If you hadn’t behaved the way you did, you wouldn’t be in this predicament.” I let out a gasp, but my mother ignores me. “I told you that it was time to let go of your hatred toward Xavier, but you refused to do that. Now you’ll have no other choice but to learn to live with him. I won’t allow you to kill him. I will give you your defensive powers back, and Xavier will be receiving his powers back. If you try to kill him, he will defend himself. I also know that your sister will never allow it.”
As I watch my mother laugh, I think back on all the things she’s done over the past few months. Her evil ways have quickly come to light. I no longer want to be around her. She forced me into an impossible situation, and my hatred for her is grows by the second. This situation is only going to break Lawrence’s essence further. If he believes this changes anything between us, I must somehow make sure he realizes that is not the case and nothing will change. He has a special place in my heart, but I have four men I’m meant to be with.
Someone grabs my hand, and I smell the snow and trees on him. Lawrence is already mistaking our marriage to be more than it is. With every fiber of my being, I know I must fix this, and I no longer want to go to the feast. Maybe in his head, he thinks now that Xavier is married to Alizon, he has a chance to be with me. But he’s sadly mistaken. As Alizon and Xavier walk off the dais, I clear my throat. “Mother, may I speak to you for a moment?”
She gives me a bored look. “What is it, Rosalyn?”
Pulling my shoulders back, I ask, “Would it be acceptable if Lawrence and I go back to my chamber instead of the feast? I just want to spend some alone time with him before we leave on the mission. I know we won’t have any time while we’re gone.”
She looks
between the two of us and smiles while chuckling, “I see you’re ready to start your wedding night. If that’s what you want to do, my daughter, then I’m not against it. I’ll have some of the food from the feast brought to your chamber.”
She motions for us to leave the throne room before her. I turn to look at Lawrence, and he has a huge grin on his face. This is going to be a disastrous conversation, and all I can hope for is that our relationship isn’t the worse for wear afterward.
We walk down the corridor, and Lawrence stops me. “I hope you know that even though this happened the way it did, I’m happy we’re together. I’m sorry about the things I said two days ago.” His tone is sincere.
Curling my lips inward, I take a deep breath. “Let’s just get to my chamber, Lawrence.” The last thing I want is to have this conversation in the corridor, so I walk again. I have no clue who can overhear us.
When we get to my chamber, I push on the door, step inside and stop dead in my tracks. “How is there food already in here?”
Lawrence puts his hands on my shoulders and whispers, “Your room is a lot closer to the dining room. Your mother must have ordered someone to set this up as you were telling her what you wanted to do, amare.”
Looking up at him, I roll my eyes and break away from him. A table has been set up in my room between my fireplace and bed. Pulling out a chair, I sit down and start eating because I’m starving. Even though my manners tell me I should wait for Lawrence, I don’t care. On my plate is pork with gravy, bread, a blend of vegetables, and a roll. There’s a smaller plate, and while I’m eating, I remove the lid and see that it’s cake. When I take the first bite of cake, the moist chocolate hits my taste buds, and I moan.
When I look up, I see Lawrence is watching me from across the table, and he puts his linen up to his mouth to wipe it. “You were so hungry you couldn’t wait for me?” he teases with a smirk.
Decadence (Tree of Life Series Book 1) Page 21
