The nice thing about having a family so big? You could generally lean on anyone when you needed things. Or, in this case, when you needed something specific, there was at least one person you could count on. Riley had needed to use the little girls room, and this dress was so poofy that she feared the fabric would either fall into the toilet without her knowing, or swallow her whole in the process. So finding Lena on her way to the bathroom, she was thankful that her cousin didnât even bat an eye when Riley asked her to help her hold her dress. And it would make for a fun story sometime down the line, that was for sure. Now the two girls had arrived back at the ball, and Riley was busy looking for her date that she didnât even know who Lena was referencing until she followed her gaze. The youngest Fitzherbert was still surprised to see Beatrice Fae and Mitchell Roux here together, but she didnât know either of them that well to question it.
As Lena spoke of bigger and better things for Triss, and started negatively speaking about her ex, who just so happened to be Lucaâs older brother, Riley found herself confused and curious. What was Lena talking about? Her cousin was one of the most open minded people she has ever met, and Riley would never had suspected that Lena was pro-Isle. âWait, whatâs going on?â She asked, turning her full attention to Lena and softly taking her hand, giving it a squeeze to let her know she was here for her. âHey, Lena, what happened?â She grew serious in a matter of seconds. Riley tried to be kind and optimistic but when it came to her family she would probably kill for them if need be. Looking around the room, Riley saw a table off to the side with no one there and pulled Lena with her so they could sit down. âTell me everything.â
All Aleena could muster in that moment was to shuffle behind Riley as she allowed the other girl to pull her towards the closest empty table that was enough out of anyoneâs way so as to not draw attention to themselves. A server with a tray full of champagne flutes waltzed by them, and swiftly did she pull one of the glasses for herself before she ultimately settled down beside Riley. Raising the glass to her lips, she pulled a rather large gulp of the drink to ease the nerves thrumming right underneath the surface before she finally locked eyes with her cousin. âYou know Sterling?â Even saying his name caused her heart to jump to her throat, as if uttering his name three times out loud would summon him from whatever ditch he hopefully wouldâve fallen into by now. She drew in a sharp breath, tucking a piece of stray hair behind her ear. âWe ran into each other at the Duckling a while ago.âÂ
âHe was a dick to me right from the jump and you know how I get, Riles -- I wasnât going to let him get away with that shit, but maybe I shouldnât have said something, or maybe I should have just--â Her words slipped past her lips faster than her mind could formulate the sentences, forcing herself to stop to center herself once more. âHe threatened me. And then he got right in my face and told me if I ever thought of telling anyone about our encounter that heâd say I was lying. That heâd spin everything I said so I could look like Iâm just some other bigoted royal and he the victim.âÂ
The glass she held in her hand frosted as she spoke, and she set it down on the table before it shattered under the weight of her magic. âThat wasnât the worst part, though. The worst part is that when I looked into his eyes, I saw... I saw nothing, Riley. There was nothing behind his eyes. And now when I sleep, all I can see are his eyes.â She clenched her hands in her lap and said, âI donât think heâs above doing what he has to do to get out on top. And I donât think he cares who he hurts to get there. Heâs worse than Hans because at least Hans is an isle away. Here, thereâs nothing to stop him from getting his way. From doing what his dad couldnât do.â













