Royal Havoc

48. Colors Of Petals

forty-eight

Colors Of Petals

Tulip: 2024

B olton always said watching was learning. “Why isn’t she moving, B? Is she breathing?” I ask out loud, leaning closer to gaze at the monitor.

“Watch her eyes. You’ll see her blink,” he tells me, pointing over my shoulder at the monitor.

Letting my chin fall on my fist. “Why is this so boring? I thought she’d be more fun,” I pout, annoyed by Onyx’s silent treatment. “She hasn’t screamed once. Maybe we didn’t strap her in tight enough.”

His hands rest on my shoulders, pressing me into my seat. “Princess, she’s bleeding. If you strap her tighter, you’re going to cut off her feet and hands,” he informs me patiently, leaning over me to point at the screen again. “She’s probably in shock. Be patient.”

I sigh loudly, slumping on the desk. “This is why I couldn’t stand her.” He cocks a brow at me questioningly. “No matter what I told her to do, she always did the opposite. If I told her to be quiet, she cried. If I told her to cry, she went to sleep.” I shrug.

“I thought she was one when you were brought here?”

My eyes grow wide. “She was. Are you calling me a liar?” I challenge.

“Um, isn’t that kind of young? She probably didn’t understand you,” he tries to reason calmly.

“I’m not stupid,” I pout angrily, shrugging his hand away when he tries to touch me. “I’m going to get some air. Don’t follow me,” I warn before stomping from the room.

I skip down the hall, heading to my special room. The greenhouse Bolton had built just for me so I could grow tulips all year. It’s the one place that reminded me of home. Of course, Bolton thought he’d used it to punish me when I was bad.

I guess patience doesn’t work out for everyone.

Strike when rage hits was my motto. Too bad he never listened to me more. Watching can’t tell you everything. But people can be forced to tell you what you wanna hear. Another lesson I taught and perfected all by myself.

Tulips have always made me smile, which is why I adopted my middle name when I was younger. As kids, I’d say we all go through weird phases.

After B and I were released, I wanted to go back to my real name, Amethyst. When B told me no, I got really mad. He’s got the scar to prove it. Once I finally calmed down, he was able to explain how rare my name was. It made sense about us living so close to River’s Edge, and word would travel fast. If we wanted to keep a low profile, it was better if I didn’t use my rare name. So I agreed to shorten it to something B thought was sexy — Amy .

The door opens quietly as I rest my shoulder on the frame, smelling the tulips I picked. Onyx doesn’t even flinch at the sight of me. Which, I won’t lie, kind of pisses me off.

We couldn’t be more opposite. She’s dark and moody like him, where I’ve always been bright and happy like her .

Avoiding her cat-colored eyes. “I never understood why she named you after two things she hated so much, Black Rose,” I start, then step into the room, locking the door from the inside. “Do you know a rose is known as the queen of flowers? After I told him , he started calling you his Dark Queen,” I tell her, pacing around the chair slowly.

The black ink peeking from her sleeve catches my attention. Plucking one of the petals from the tulips, I make another lap, stalking my prey slowly.

“I never really liked visiting Scarlet City. People in the city are rude,” I explain, circling a little closer.

This time, I pause beside her, pushing her sleeve up to reveal her tattoo. I admire it for a second, dragging my finger over the scar hidden in the design. I step away, plucking another petal as I walk.

“You looked so silly sneaking into that tattoo shop. Seeing it totally made that trip worth it,” I reminisce softly, dropping another petal. “Derek didn’t need much convincing. He was excited to get your sweet sixteen ass in his chair.”

I stop in front of her, admiring the beautiful ring of petals I’ve created. After dropping the stems, I pull out my razor blade, making sure she sees it.

“Did you notice me in the chair beside you? I was there. Look, I even got a matching one.” Yanking up my sleeve, resting my forearm by hers. “Rose and Tulip,” I comment.

The blade traces her scar perfectly, beautiful red pooling around the black fallen petals on her arm.

“Amethyst!” B shouts, banging on the door.

Our eyes meet through the small window, and he watches as I smear her blood, painting her rose red.

“She’s fine. Actually, I think she likes it,” I purr, smiling at his angry face.

“Open the door,” he orders firmly.

I bite my lip, tucking my blade away. “He’s cute. But sometimes he’s so boring,” I whisper as I pass her.

He grabs my throat, shoving me against the wall as soon as he steps inside. His fingers tighten, crushing my airway. My pussy grows wet as my lungs start to burn.

“Should I show her how bad girls get punished?” he grits, tightening his grasp a fraction more. “I love watching your purple lips wrap around my cock.”

Suddenly, he lets go, giving me enough time to fill my lungs twice before he squeezes again. I gasp, tears leaking from the corner of my eyes.

“Play nice, or I’ll lock you in the jacket,” he warns before letting me go.

Air races to my burning lungs, extinguishing the fire. “I’m bored,” I rasp.

His finger traces the salty streak down my cheek. “He’ll be here. You’ll get to play soon enough.”

The thought of seeing his face has excited giggles bubbling from my raspy throat. “I wanna put her in the white room.”

He kisses my forehead. “Okay,” he agrees, and I bounce on my toes. “Anything for my princess.”

I prop myself against the wall, watching Onyx while I wait for him to return with the jacket.

“Why didn’t you listen to your friend? Zoey?” I ask out loud, wondering if she even hears me. “You better watch out for that one. She totally wants your guy. Vexen? Anyway,” I ramble, undoing the straps. “I caught her peeking in his windows one night after a party.”

B returns with the straight jacket, helping me strap her in tight, and then he carries her down the hall to the padded room.