Chapter 25
25 “You will be my bride. Aurelia.” My father held onto me tightly, forcing himself upon me. His sweaty arms and hands were everywhere above me. His lips dragged over my neck, pressed against my cheek, my breast and I couldn’t run away. My body was frozen into place and I couldn’t move. Flames lapped the room, encircling my father’s darkened form; his corpse. Perhaps that’s all he and I were – corpses, lost in a palace that had perished years ago with my mother. “No matter where you go, I shall find you,” he promised. “No matter where you go, I shall find you. I will find you . . . Allerleirauh.” I jolted at the sound of my new name, emerging from the nightmare. I sat up from the window seat and glanced around the blue-walled room. I was alone and the sun had shifted, casting light on
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