Chapter 24: Never have I ever…
Have you ever been nervous?
The heart beats faster, trump! trump!
Breathing gets sharp and shallow like every air was a pebble lace with snake venom and breathing itself was pure torture and then comes the little voice in the head telling and whispering that everyone can hear the laborious breathing and that's not the worst of it.
After the palm gets sweaty and the worst part comes without warning, the dreadful feeling from the pit of the stomach.
It was exactly how I was feeling this very moment.
I stepped out of the car and stared at the palace in front of me. I thought Castaway was rich but somehow, Zolcovia was richer.
The gigantic building in the middle of the royal compound was honestly the biggest I have ever seen. It made me feel little again and I got the sudden urge to want to crawl under my mother's dress for protection.
I didn't.
"While Castaway still maintains the original palace built many centuries ago, Zolcovia opted for something modern and flashy" King Zuri told us.
"What can I say? My family has been accused of being Vain and we are" The voice came from behind us.
I turned sharply before everyone else and I beheld the man in front of us.
He was closer to his grave than my uncle Phil, maybe approaching his late sixties or early seventies.
To his advantage, he didn't have a pot belly or brown teeth but he was short and fat, giving him the appearance of a football.
When he walked he rolled like a stone.
I felt a chill.
The type that runs down the spine and leaves a human being worse than they met them. I had no idea I took a step back until my mother's hand found my back and held it firmly to prevent me from taking another.
Maybe I was wrong. This could literally mean anyone else not my future husband, a visitor maybe but his clothes, his shoes and his jewelry screamed royalty.
It couldn't be. My own brother would never do that to me….right?
I watched as Zuri moved closer and he had a big smile on his face.
"The prince of Zolcovia! It's been long, his Royal highness"
I grabbed my mother's arm immediately like I was saying, Mama save me. And I could feel her wolf Maya purring to be let out. Maya was just as overprotective of me as my mother.
(Calm down, Emily) Eloise spoke to me through the mind link.
(I am calm…I am calm…Don't I look calm, Mama?)
(No, you look like you are about to start running. We will give the king the benefit of doubt, Emily or be rest assured that I will ripped of his spine and hang it around his neck)
Mom's threat gave me comfort. Eloise cleared her throat loudly like she was reminding King Zuri of his manners.
My evil half brother placed one hand on my back and urged me to stand with him and I did.
"May I present my beloved sister, Emily Williamson, Princess Supreme of Castaway" Zuri introduced and I watched with dread as the prince picked up my hand and I may have shut my eyes as he kissed it.
I wanted to throw up and then throw up some more. This is just bat shit crazy! This is lunacy!
The kiss lingered until Zuri of all people came to my rescue. He took my hand away from the prince and returned it to me.
"And may I introduce the princess's mother, Eloise"
Mother didn't think twice about keeping her distance. She spared the prince a smile and nodded.
"And who is he?" She asked my brother.
"Emmett Cole, I am the king's brother" the man answered.
I felt a rush of relief flood my entire system leaving me limp that even my asshole of a brother noticed and steadied me with his hand.
Soon, we were walking inside to an equally beautiful castle that I had no zeal whatsoever to take in the details especially when I was busy searching for an escape so I could find a clinic and get rid of Owen's child.
"The king is away on a trip but he will be back in the evening" Emmett told us.
"And my proposal?" Zuri asked the prince.
"Graciously endorsed by his majesty. The house of Cole and the house of Williamson will be united through marriage of my nephew and your sister, King Zuri"
I kept watching and looking for an escape route until I was left behind by my family. As I wandered the halls of the great palace, I saw a series of paintings that I didn't understand and so I stared.
"Do you know anything about art?" The voice startled me.
I turned around and I saw him for the first time and the only words that went through my head as I fought the urge to put my fist through the ulgy ass painting was…holy crap!