Valerie
I ran from Xavier’s study as fast as my legs would take me. I couldn’t stand it. I couldn’t look into his eyes anymore and see the sorrow in him. The sorrow in my own reflection.
I could not do it.
I returned to Alyssa’s room, my mind a blur, my lungs heavy from the long run through the winding palace halls. Chills crawled over my flesh like goosebumps, and I could not settle the sick feeling in my stomach.
I threw open her door, tears stuck to my lashes and blurring my vision. Alyssa was on her bed, delicately brushing through her golden locks with a wooden comb. She paused and looked up when she saw me. “It’s him,” I blurted, before she could even ask. “I’m certain it’s him. It’s Caeser who killed my parents.”
Alyssa set down her brush and stood, a stony, serious look on her
