e was dangerously low, trembling with a rag

a little housewarming gift, sister. Or should I say, a farewell gif

' t believe you kicked Emily out of here. This

ers," I seethed, my fis

ment that mirrored our mother's. "She deserves it more than you! You' re just a cold,

o was promised to me. The casual way he spoke of it, as i

ct. The sharp crack of my palm connecting w

ying to his reddening face, his eyes wide with shock and d

?" he whisp

on. This wasn't the little brother who used to follow me everywhere, who I taught to read. Th

ization was sharper t

deep. There was

m again, har

like ice. "I am the firstborn of this house. The da

anicked voice cried

portrait of distress. She ran to D

? Oh, Sarah, how could y

ght, but her eyes, when they flickered towards me, held a triumphant glint. She had

f this, Emil

talk to her like that! You' re the one who' s wrong! I hope you fail

echo of my actual fate in my pre

all this c

anding over a tearful Emily and a defiant David with a red mark on his face. Sh

ou' ve gone too far! First, you terrorize your cousin, and

s. I was surrounded by my tormentors, the architects of my misery. A wav

a lifetime of pain. "Did you ever, for a single moment, love me? Or have I alway

I had struck her. For a m

silence that a new voice cut throu

s Imperial Majes

rtyard, flanked by two palace guards. He held a rolled-up scro

amily, my own disheveled state. He paused for a fraction of

ce ringing out with official power, s

rowess and strategic knowledge in the first round of the imperial selection, is hereby appointed

he scroll, his eyes

protection. No one may hinder an i

avid' s face was a comical mask of shock. Emily' s

victory. I had just been ha