Roses are Royal (Darkness Blooms #1)

Prologue

Ishould’ve known it would end this way. Lying here as mascara and tears stream down my face, my nails chipped and clothes torn, with what I’m pretty sure is a dislocated shoulder, I’m surrounded by crystal from the shattered chandelier.

And all I can think about is whether I unplugged my curling iron this morning.

Time is a funny thing when you don’t have much of it left.

I always thought my life would flash before my eyes, playing out like a montage of my top achievements and highlights throughout the years, but in reality, all I can think about is that damn curling iron.

The one I’ve had for years, with a frayed cord and wires visible from use and overall poor care.

White electrical tape that is no longer sticky, just hanging on for dear life.

Why did I curl my hair today? What will happen to that curling iron when I’m gone?

Will it burn everything down and take my memories with it?

I should really throw that thing away. It’s not like I can’t afford a new one.

It turns out, my life montage is a series of dumb questions about a curling iron.

Not my first kiss with Luc in the back of his mom’s red Honda Civic in a dark parking lot when I was in high school.

Not my first job offer received right out of college to work for the top design firm in the country.

No, not any of the things that might actually mean something. A freaking curling iron.