ARIA’S POV

Watching her face flush with rage gave me a strange sense of satisfaction I hadn’t felt in a while.

“Enjoy it while it lasts,” the blonde hissed before slamming the door shut, their laughter echoing faintly as they left me alone.

I lay back on the bed, staring at the ceiling, my mind turning restless circles. I refused to be branded as a promiscuous queen who shared her bed with soldiers. If they wanted to paint me black, I would become an actress in their play—only I ...