My Rival, My Only Hope

glowing, a vision of health and victory, holding a bouquet of

etness. "I came as soon as I heard. You poor thing.

de table, right next to my head.

inued, her eyes scanning my broken body with a smug satisfact

a shame. All those boys, Alaric, Darrius, Jefferey... they care about yo

e sickening smell of the flowers. I did

identally" brushed her hand against my cast-co

my lips. The jolt sent a fresh wa

eyes was unmistakable

t a broken doll for her to play with. I swatted h

t innocence. "Azalea! I was just try

just jealous. Jealous that Alexander loves me, not

n my spine. A premonit

rst open. Alexander storm

e you doing to I

ling her into a protective embr

e cried. "And she attacked m

yes filled with a terrifying rage. "

r," I said, my voi

ame her for everything. But this is your fault. You

ou, Azalea. Stay away from her. If you ever upset her ag

th a mixture of fear and fury. He was

g," I repeated, my v

rned to the two large men who had followed

er," he

terror. "What are

ly. "It's time you l

ys protected me. "My mother will hear about this, Alexan

is alliance as much as mine does. They

. She would see this as a lover's quarrel, a bump in the road to a po

ices. You can publicly apologize to Isolde for your behavior and anno

figures by the door, then bac

" I whi

en now." He clearly didn't believe me, still con

a weeping Isolde with him. "I'll give you some t

blocking the door. They moved towards

s tr