The Rejected True Heiress (Liora) novel Chapter 84

Liora

By the time I made it back to the dorms, the hallway was empty.

Just the low hum of the building’s old heating system, a thin buzz in the vents, and my own steps on the polished floors.

The smell of smoke clung to me. It had followed me all the way from the ruined dance, up the long streets, up the marble steps, down the hallways that had once felt so much like a home. My dress was ruined, mud streaked across the hem from where I’d cut across the gardens, soot across my sleeves and collar. Speckles of red from the toppled ink jars painted ugly, dried constellations down the skirt.

I should have cared. But I just, didn’t.

I pushed my door open and closed it behind me, turning the lock with a soft click. Then I stood still, hands braced on the wood, listening for a moment as if the noise from the dance might have followed me here.

Nothing.

The air was cool and still, and that was almost worse. It gave my thoughts too much room.

Jessica’s face was the first thing that came back, her lips curled into that cruel smile dashing for Mia and me, the weight of the stage rigging shaking above us, the flash of panic in her eyes a split second before everything went wrong. For a girl who thought she was untouchable, she hadn’t planned for things to spiral like that.

Then again, either did I. Still, I’m glad no one was hurt.

I let out a slow breath and moved to the mirror, peeling the ribbon out of my hair. Strands came loose with it, static pulling them up like they didn’t want to let go. My reflection was a mess, ashes smudged across my cheeks, a streak of red along my temple that wasn’t blood, just ink. Mud on my stockings. But my face… my face was calm.

It had been since the moment I’d seen him.

The Alpha King.

My father.

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