The Skin Thief

Chapter 20

Kiora turns around slowly to face Larissa.

"You?" she asks lowly. Larissa sighs and puts the brush down on the table beside her.

"Yes," Larissa replies, her voice even.

"So why aren't you going?" Kiora asks.

"People are selfish, Priestess. Myself included," Larissa says, sitting on the bed. Kiora closes her eyes and shakes her head. Larissa opens her mouth to speak but stops when Kiora slams her fist onto the dressing table, making the whole thing shudder.

"Do not lecture me," Kiora begins, sensing a speech coming. "You are no worse than your brother," Kiora hisses, her voice laced with venom.

Larissa shrugs nonchalantly. "I suppose not," she replies, looking into Kiora's eyes. "But I refuse to suffer because my ancestors made a stupid deal hundreds of years ago."

"That is your responsibility as princess of this country," Kiora seethes.

"Yes, it is. But as I said, I'm selfish," Larissa tells her casually. "Plus, without me here, who will keep my brother in check?" Kiora stands, glaring at the princess.

"Make all the excuses you want," Kiora begins, somehow managing to keep her voice even, "You and your brother are arrogant cowards. That's all there is to it. It was your ancestors that made that deal, not mine. It is you who should suffer the consequences. How dare you both expect me to take this punishment for you. How dare you both think yourselves so highly that you can steal from Winter to pay off your own dept."

Larissa doesn't say anything as Kiora stares into her eyes, her expression a mix of anger and pleading.

"Please, princess, do the honourable thing. Let me go home whilst you fulfil your responsibilities. You are wise of the ways of politics and court. You have grown up with it, you understand it. You will survive an environment like that, and thrive even. Do not force me to go to that place. Please."

Larissa sighs and looks away from Kiora. Her lips pull into a tight line, and she shakes her head.

"I'm sorry, Priestess, but I am not giving up my life or power here," she says.

Kiora closes her eyes and shakes her head.

"Curse this realm," she says shakily, "curse you and your monstrous brother. I feel sorry for your people being led by such pathetic cowards. Leave me. I do not want to see you again."

Larissa laughs cruelly and rolls her eyes. "Wow, do you ever stop with your self-righteous pity party? It's exhausting."

Kiora baulks, taken aback by the princess's sudden change in tone and demeanour. The princess stands up and pouts mockingly. "Here's another lesson for you, Priestess. You're nothing," she says lowly. "You are an inconsequential little bug. The emperor will devour you. Everyone will forget who you are and what you were. This realm doesn't need you here, not like they need me."

Kiora looks at Larissa, her eyes burning with hatred. Her jaw clenches as she tries to find the right words to say. Larissa shrugs and stands.

"Shame," she sighs nonchalantly, "I tried to show you some kindness whilst here, but if you don't want it, I'll just leave. It doesn't bother me either way."

"It isn't kindness if you're only doing it to try and ease your own guilty conscience," Kiora replies, her voice monotone.

Larissa's face pulls into a sneer. "I'll be back in two days to get you ready for the emperor. Enjoy your solitude." With that, the princess storms out of the room and slams the door behind her, making Kiora jump. A second later, the clicking of a lock fills the heavy silence.