Book 2: Chaos

Ainslee

Sticky red blood drips down my face, covering my alabaster white gown, dripping down in rivulets. I gasp in shock, wondering how King Axel managed to spill the chalice all over me. But there’s more blood than what was just in the cup. It’s everywhere.

I wipe my hand over my cheek and pull away bits of bone and brains. “O-Oh Goddess…” I cry out, wiping more, trying to get it off me.

Rafe is at my side in seconds, taking my hands, saying something. Something I can’t hear or understand.

There are brains on my face. How the fuck are their brains on my face? I raise a hand to my head. Nothing hurts–are these my brains?

“Ainslee… Ainslee…” Rafe’s voice begins to crack through my stupor. “Ainslee, you’re all right. You’re all right. It wasn’t you. It was the king.” He tucks me behind the archway, shielding me with his body.

I look down to see King Axel’s crumpled body at my feet, an arrow lodged through his temple. There must hav