Chapter 87

CAMILLA’S PO.V

I hated being stuck in the center of things. I loved having Riley around, she was my friend and she was Ryker’s sister, Damein was his best friend but Christine was my cousin, she was the only person who I knew for a fact had my back in the palace. I didn’t want to pick a side but I knew that in a situation like this, I would inevitably need to. I wanted to go after her when she first ran off, but Ryker told me not to and after he returned, he made me promise to stay out of it but I wasn’t sure how well I could do that.

Over the last two days, she had become a shell of herself. She barely spoke to anyone and would mainly just stay locked up in a room with the children. If she saw Damien, she went the other way which meant that she didn’t join us for any meals. I couldn’t help but be relieved when I found out that they were leaving in two days. If it meant bringining back a semblance of peace to the palace then I was willing to take it.

I was aware that Riley and Damien came to ask Ryker’s blessing for their mating ceremony but nothing had been said regarding that. When Damien suggested a small intimate outing, I knew it had something to do with that. I was torn on how to tell Christine about it when the door to the dining room opened and she walked in. She had her head held high and she walked like she owned the place. It was the first time I had seen her in over twenty-four hours.

“I apologize for my absence the past few days,” she spoke aloud as she took her usual seat to my left. I caught her eye and I shot her a questioning look to which she replied with a smile. The smile wasn’t there yet but it was an improvement. “We were trying to organize a picnic or some relaxation time at the stream, you should come,” Riley began in a more cheerful tone than usual. She had been trying everything in her power to get Christine to like her. I wasn’t sure if it was guilt or fear that spurred her to do that but I never bothered to ask.

“I don’t think-” Damien began but Christine cut him off.

“If the kids will be there, I will too,” she said and I turned to her with wide eyes and a raised brow.

Everyone in the dining room had varying levels of shock on their faces but Christine ignored us all. It was the first time she had initiated contact and I couldn’t help but wonder if there was more at play. I waited until breakfast was over before I grabbed her arm and pulled her to a stop. I allowed everyone file out ahead of us before I turned her to face me and crossed my arms over my chest.

“Camilla,” she began in a warning tone but I ignored her.

“Are you going to tell me what is happening or do I have to keep guessing?” I asked and she sighed. “I just want to know if you’re okay, Christine. You don’t have to do this if it hurts you. No one is going to hold it against you.”

“I will,” her voice was so soft that I wouldn’t have heard her if she was not standing directly in front of me. “I cannot spend the rest of my life avoiding them. The truth is that they will be here. Come hell or high water, they will be involved in your life and Ryker’s. if I don’t get used to seeing them together now then I never will and I will not spend the rest of my life hiding whenever they come around.” “You have the rest of your life to figure that out,” I whispered taking a hold of her hands. “Don’t force yourself into healing when you’re not ready. I’m worried about you.”

She smiled but it didn’t reach her eyes.copy right hot novel pub