fluttering. "Ellie, are you alrig

ed the wall to push herself to her feet,

trying to justify himself. "I was

d daughter, her expression one of helpless indecision. "Julian

or what it was. A flicker of a smile, sha

ed back to Eleanor. "There you go again, playing the victim.

Beatrice's side. "Sister, please get up. The floor

face to the next. The weak mother. Th

aid n

erately, began to roll up

ion made them

d upward, it revealed her

ng tapestr

whip. Jagged cuts, new ones layered over old ones. It was a

ified sound. Her hand flew to her

ed away into shock. He stared at the scars,

ed quickly, her expression shifting in

lent, except for Beatrice'

Eleanor finally said. Her voice wa

, covering the evidence

looking at her scrape

ective than any scream. They struck B

face and began to weep openly. "How coul

r eyes, full of practiced sympathy, stayed on Eleanor. "S

e of sisterly love, and she smiled. A real smile t

ing they all understood. "After all, the one who sent

ame like a stone

The incident three years ago. I

fering began with the royal court, and you

ant something to her, too. A new expression

he felt no satisfaction. Just a co

hem, her gaze falling

o my room,

s not a request.