9. Princess Davina
Chapter 9
Princess Davina
“The most reliable way to
predict the future is to create it.”
— Abraham Lincoln
M y belongings have finally arrived, yet I don’t feel settled in what’s supposed to be my home for the unforeseeable future.
The storm lasted nearly an hour but stayed in the distance, leaving the palace untouched. The sky over the palace remains bathed in a soft, rosy haze. Fluffy clouds drift lazily, their warm hues casting a gentle glow over everything.
After losing three rounds of chess, I sit on my bed and reach for my diary. Just as I’m about to write my first sentence, the door swings open, Cole’s eyes meeting mine as he leans against the door frame and tucks his hands casually into the pockets of his pants.
My gaze narrows. “Didn’t anyone teach you to knock before you?—”
“Please, save your next breath,” he says, annoyance coating his tone. His brown hair is tousled as if he’s run his hands through it multiple times, and his arrogance leaves me momentarily speechless.
“What’s that?” he asks, glancing down at my lap.
“A notebook,” I reply, snapping it closed and pulling it to my chest. Anger rises inside of me; I can already tell he’s going to make fun of it.
He huffs a laugh. “Like a diary?”
“Aw, do you care about my life?”
“Bless your delusional heart.”
“You have your entire life to be unpleasant and rude. Why not take off today?”
“If I took a day off from being unpleasant, I’d be out of practice by tomorrow.”
“Well, with that kind of dedication, it’s no wonder you’re so good at it.”
“Oh, flattery? I didn’t realize we were doing compliments today, darling.”
I glare at him. “You’d better explain where you’ve been.”
“Andphilia,” he replies coolly.
“So it’s true, then. Of all places, why on earth would you choose to go there?”
He lifts an eyebrow, a smirk tugging at the corners of his lips. “Careful now. Sounds like someone’s been worried about me.”
I scoff in response, unable to hide my annoyance.
He nods towards the edge of the bed. “Do you mind if I sit?”
“Yes, I do. You can talk while standing.”
His gaze darkens, but he remains on his feet. “I went to see Lorelda?—”
My heart pounds in my chest, drowning out his words. Panic seizes me, and I leap off the bed. The mention of her name feels like a physical blow, filling me with dread and terror.
Is he helping her? Could this be a trap?
Did she change her mind, wanting him to torture me instead of just ending my life with a curse?
I sprint toward the door, but he blocks my escape.
“You didn’t even let me finish?—”
“No,” I say, shaking my head in denial. “This can’t be happening.” I try to swallow the lump in my throat, but it stubbornly remains.
Desperately, I scan the room for options. Hiding in the bathroom is futile; I can’t lock the door. I head straight for the balcony, my hands trembling as I fumble to open the door.
“Over my dead body,” he mutters, grabbing me from behind. “You can’t go outside without risking your life, don’t you get it? Stop trying to run away.”
“Why?” I snap. “Because you make it so easy to trust you?” My heart races as I struggle against his grip. Summoning every ounce of strength I have, I twist violently, elbowing him in the ribs. He grunts, loosening his hold just enough for me to wriggle free. “You’re going to kill me, don’t you?”
“This is ridiculous.”
I close my eyes, trying to steady my breathing and calm my racing thoughts.
“You can barely stand to look at me,” he says, “and honestly, I can’t look at you either.”
By the time I muster the courage to open my eyes and look up, he’s gone.
I wake to a loud knock on my door.
I sit up, blinking against the morning light as the door creaks open. Nora steps in, her brown hair falling in loose waves around her face.
“What are you doing here?” I ask, rubbing my eyes.
With an amused smile, she flops down on my bed. “Good morning to you too, sunshine. Father said Cole mentioned you might appreciate some company. Did something happen?”
“Cole knows Lorelda,” I whisper, glancing around as if her name might conjure her presence. “Actually, he met her.”
“Lorelda? The Lorelda? You’re telling me Cole actually met her?”
I nod, still struggling to process it myself. “I can hardly believe it myself.”
“Why would he meet her? Didn’t he say anything about it?”
“I think he wanted to tell me, but I didn’t exactly give him the chance.”
“You’ll need to talk to him again,” she says. “If he wanted to talk, there’s a reason.”
I let out a heavy sigh. “I know.”
Nora’s gaze shifts to the doorway. “What about that man downstairs? I’ve never seen anyone like him.”
“Rafe? He’s a pixie. Have you ever heard of them before?”
“A pixie?” She quirks a brow. “Aren’t pixies supposed to be tiny and mischievous or something? What is he like?”
I shrug slightly, unsure how to describe him. “Not much I can tell you, except that I think he hates me. I’m not sure what to make of him yet. He thinks I want to braid his hair, because ‘that’s what women do.’”
“What?” She lets out a disbelieving laugh. “You can’t be serious.”
“Oh, I am serious. He’s quite convinced of it.”
“Enough about pixies,” she says with a snort. “Come on, show me the rest of the palace,” she adds, standing up and grabbing my hand. “I want to see everything.”
“Chess?” Nora repeats. “No, absolutely not. I hate chess.”
I nod in agreement. “It’s not exactly my idea of fun, either.”
Rafe’s mouth falls open. “But you told me you love chess!”
“Must have been in a moment of weakness.”
He sighs and looks between us. “Alright, ladies. Any other suggestions?”
“How about braiding each other’s hair?” Nora offers.
Rafe’s eyes widen in horror, and without a word, he turns on his heel.
“Well, that worked out better than I expected,” Nora whispers, grinning as she turns to me. “He looked like he was going to faint. Unfortunately, I have to go now,” she says, leaning in to give me a quick kiss on the cheek.
“I’ll walk you out,” I offer, reaching out to take her hand.
As we round the corner, my smile falls from my face when Cole appears in front of us.
“Well, well, if it isn’t my favorite troublemaker.”
“Sometimes it’s better to keep your mouth shut and give the impression that you’re ridiculous than open it and remove all doubt.”
A hint of a smile tugs at his lips. “Your insults are getting more creative. Are you trying to impress me?”
I stifle a groan, pushing him away with a firm shove.
Grabbing Nora’s hand, I usher her to the door. “The nerve of that man,” I mutter.
“Oh, he’s definitely something,” she laughs. “That man looks at you like you’re his next meal,” she whispers, leaning into me. “I think?—”