Snow

The Consequence

By the third day at the royal palace, I had learned something important.

Fear could become exhausting.

At first, I had been afraid to speak around Felix.

Then I had been afraid to look at him.

Then I had been afraid to ask questions.

But Daniel had changed something in me.

Every time I thought about him lying in the infirmary, I couldn't stay quiet.

So I started asking.

"How is my brother?"

Felix didn't look up from the document in his hand.

"He is fine."

"Are the physicians still treating him?"

"Yes."

"Did he eat?"

Felix slowly lowered the paper.

"Snow."

I stood near the table, waiting.

"He is in good hands."

"I know, but—"

"I have told you this already."

I pressed my lips together.

He returned to his document.

I waited.

A few minutes passed.

"Can I see him?"

"No."

My eyebrows pulled together.

"Why?"

"Because I said no."

"But—"

"He is receiving treatment."

"I just want to see him."

Felix looked at me.

"I said no."

I swallowed.

Normally, that would have been enough.

But lately, I had started to realize something.

If I kept being silent, Felix would continue making every decision for me.

So I spoke again.

"You keep saying he's in good hands, but I haven't seen him since we arrived."

His eyes narrowed.

"Because you are working."

"I can work and still see my brother."

"No."

"Why?"

"Because I said so."

I stared at him.

"That's not a reason."

The room went completely silent.

Even I couldn't believe I had said it.

Felix slowly stood.

"What did you say?"

My heart began pounding.

I should have apologized.

Instead, I lifted my chin.

"I said that's not a reason."

His expression changed.

Not dramatically.

That was what frightened me.

Felix became quieter when he was angry.

He walked toward me.

"You seem to have forgotten something."

I took a small step backward.

"What?"

He stopped directly in front of me.

"I am your master."

The word made my stomach twist.

"And you are a vampire."

I said nothing.

"You are human."

His voice was cold.

"You are alive because I allow you to remain here."

I looked away.

"I know."

"Do you?"

I didn't answer.

Felix reached for my arm.

I flinched.

His fingers tightened.

"You have been testing my patience since we arrived."

"I only asked about Daniel."

"You have asked about Daniel repeatedly."

"Because he's my brother."

"And I have repeatedly told you that he is being cared for."

I looked up at him.

"That doesn't mean I stop worrying."

For a second, something unreadable crossed his face.

Then it vanished.

"Enough."

He pulled me closer.

I barely had time to react before his fangs pierced my skin.

Pain flashed through me.

I gasped.

My hands pushed against his chest, but he didn't move.

The room blurred at the edges.

He took only what he wanted before releasing me.

My knees immediately weakened.

I stumbled backward.

Felix shoved me away.

I hit the floor hard.

The breath left my lungs.

For several seconds, I couldn't move.

I heard footsteps outside.

Then Felix's voice thundered through the palace.

"ALL OF YOU!"

The doors opened.

Servants and house helps rushed into the room.

They stood frozen.

Felix's eyes swept across them.

"You're all fired."

Silence.

Every servant stared at him in shock.

"All of you are fired. Now get out of my palace!"

People began moving immediately.

Some hurried away without looking back.

Others bowed before leaving.

No one dared question him.

I remained on the floor.

My vision was still unsteady.

Anna was among the servants.

She stopped.

"Anna."

Felix's head turned sharply.

"You too."

Anna froze.

"Your Highness—"

"Leave."

She looked at me.

I shook my head slightly.

Don't argue.

She understood.

Anna walked out.

But she didn't go far.

I knew her well enough to know she wouldn't.

Soon the room was empty.

Except for Felix.

And me.

Felix looked down at me.

"Get up."

I placed one hand against the floor.

My arm trembled.

I pushed myself upright.

My legs nearly gave out again.

Felix didn't help me.

He simply watched.

"Clean the palace."

I stared at him.

"What?"

"You heard me."

"But—"

"Every room."

I looked around at the enormous palace.

"You fired everyone."

"Yes."

"So who's going to—"

"You."

My mouth fell slightly open.

"Me?"

His eyes hardened.

"You wanted to prove you were capable of speaking back to me."

He gestured toward the corridor.

"Now prove you're capable of working."

I stared at him.

My body felt weak.

My head was still spinning.

But I refused to cry.

I pushed myself fully to my feet.

Felix watched me steady myself against the table.

"Start with the west corridor."

I didn't move.

"And Snow?"

I looked at him.

"Yes?"

His expression was cold.

"Next time I tell you your brother is safe, believe me."

My hands curled into fists.

I wanted to tell him that I couldn't.

That Daniel was all I had.

That I would never stop worrying about him simply because Felix ordered me to.

But I knew better than to say it.

So I turned around.

And walked out.

The palace was enormous.

And now every floor, every corridor, every room was mine to clean.

My head was still dizzy.

My legs were weak.

But as I picked up the first cleaning cloth, I made myself one promise.

I would obey when I had to.

I would survive when I had to.

But I would never stop caring about Daniel.

No matter how many times Felix tried to frighten me into silence.