Contracted to the Uncrowned King novel Chapter 17

Chapter 0017 

I frowned, meeting his gaze in the mirror. 

“It’s perfect for you,” he said softly. “Do you like it?” 

“I think it’s more a matter of if you like it ” 

“You’re wearing it.! 

“I’ve never really cared much about what I wore.” I shrugged. “So long as it was neat and presentable.” 

He hesitated. “… was that before or after you 

… met Lucas?” 

I blinked, glancing at him. Suddenly, my chest felt tight. My eyes were burning, I could hear someone speaking to me, but I couldn’t make it out. Images flashed through my mind. The smell of alcohol drifted through my nose, and the pain surged through me– ripping and cutting like glass. I felt sick, and my strength started to wane. 

“Violet?” 

I pressed my lips together and clenched my jaw against the cry of pain that wanted to escape me. I could hear Lucas and Nora’s voices again. It felt like the bond was breaking all over again. Wedding bells chimed in my head. I could hear his vows. 

Fidelity and love… 

For as long as the moon shines…. 

My stomach lurched from the pain. I shook, trying to keep standing, but I couldn’t. 

“I should get out of this,” I said as evenly as possible. I turned back toward the dressing room, moving as quickly as I could. I don’t remember closing the door behind me. I don’t remember anything when my knees buckled and I slid to the floor trying not to damage the dress, trying not to pass out, trying to hold on to what little dignity I had left. 

I ended up in a ball, curled into myself, leaning against the wall, my heart pounding against my ribcage, and my fist shoved between my teeth, fighting the urge to scream. 

It would pass or I would pass out. Those were my only options. 

My shoulder throbbed from where the bullet had been. 

I closed my eyes, trying to push the memories away, but they refused to leave. My soul was screaming, replaying every moment of betrayal: the cruel joy in his eyes and voice when he’d seen the mark, the way he’d disrespected me in public, the fact that he’d shot me…. 

A whimper escaped me as the pain intensified. My vision started to go spotty, so I closed 

my eyes. 

Chapter 0017 

+25 BONUS 

Please. 

Goddess, please just let it pass. 

The door creaked open unexpectedly. I sucked in a sharp breath and seconds later, I felt Theodore’s warm hand on my shoulder. His body pressed closer to me, warming the air. I shivered. When had I gotten cold? 

He pulled off his jacket and wrapped it around me before pulling me toward him. 

“Stop,” he whispered, tugging at my wrist until I could stand to pull my teeth out. “It’s not that kind of wound.” 

I wanted to ask him what he knew about it, but couldn’t trust myself to speak. 

“If you want,” he said, his voice low, “I can give you a new bond.” 

Everything in me screamed.