Page 56 of Retrograde

“Glad I’m on your side because you are someone I don’t ever want for an enemy,” Joris said with equal parts awe and shock.

Damn right I wasn’t.

14

Sagan

People did backpedal. They changed their whole tune that they assumed it had been for charity since I’d been fighting for women’s causes.

Some criticized that and I was making up these sexist problems and other bullshit… But they still said they didn’t think I was trying to fill the royal family’s coffers.

I could practically feel Vex’s annoyance from Applerest when Toni announced that we weren’t dropping the lawsuit and where the damages awarded would go… Because I would obviously win given that even the police charged Kole now.

“I want to change this,” I had muttered as I gestured to the TV. “This walking outside to the waiting press is so—it’s trashy. I always hated it, but Father thought—it’s so outdated and stupid.”

“Okay, you are exhausted,” Maple had worried. “What do you want then?”

Treena cleared her throat. “Father doesn’t invite the media into our castle and thinks that’s too much for the royal family’s home. He keeps those lines distinct.Butthere is a designated press briefing like… House off the guard station. There are reporters who are always assigned to the royal family andgovernment. It’s just easier to show them to one area and control it.”

I couldn’t have agreed more and made it clear that was what I wanted.

But the bum day was great. My first ever that I could remember or… First ever. And it was definitely needed.

Beyond needed.

I did let Onyx sleep over since he was obviously affected by all of this too, and while there was some making out, it was all gentle and soft. It wasn’t the goal.

It was the comfort.

So I wasextra annoyedwhen I woke to the news that the texts had been leaked. I knew it would happen, and I was glad I’d prepared a statement through Toni. Vex wouldn’t like it, but he could bite my big ass.

He really could.

And I even made it worse. I didn’t feel bad for that at all, but I wanted him to publicly state that even out on bail he had Kole under control. That he didn’t have nudes of me or would fabricate them.

But also the statement of I was keeping with my schedule. The texts were threats and against the law—way over the line to be sure—but from a desperate loser who couldn’t get what he wanted and resorted to suchwords.

Fuck him. Obviously, Toni said it better than that, but—fuck Kole.

I felt okay with that and ready to move on… Until one of the threats I didn’t read had me needing to sit. I read it over three times before Treena snatched my phone away.

“Disgusting. Fucking disgusting piece of—what do you need?”

“His head so I feel safe?” I snorted. “So I know my future children will be safe?”

Because that was what Kole had threatened.

My unborn children. According to him, that was the least I deserved since Istolehisrightto be the father of the future king. That he would kill any child I had that could rule—especially if I was a whore and had any with Onyx.

Or have his way with any daughters I had to see if they were just as bad at sex as I was.

“I didn’t know the threats got this bad,” Treena muttered. “I’m sorry, but I think those of us helping need to read them all.”

I snorted. “They’re posted on severalnewssites. Have fun.”

“They really posted it all and not just—well, I guess excerpts are just as gross,” she said, sounding ready to pull out her hair.

The only amusing part of any of it was what the “leak” from the castle said about me wanting Khirriln wine… And the leader of Khirriln putting out a statement that if anyone deserved having a few drinks—or a few bottles—it was me.