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her father had done this to her. She knew that he was frustrated, and maybe she did push him too far, but she hated being pawed at and having men whisper lewd remarks in her ear. She shuddered again remembering Fallon’s comments. She didn’t like the nobles or who she was when she was with them. She wanted a man to love her for herself, all of her. She knew that riding horses like a man, and dueling with swords, grated on her father’s nerves. He had hoped that she would be demure and petite, but that just wasn’t who she was. She had always known she was odd, always had the feeling everywhere she went that she was different, but as a youngster, it never bothered her. As she grew and endured the looks and the whispers by the other girls in court, she knew that she was not a proper girl. Kevaan taught her things that he shouldn’t have, but those things came so easily to her. Maybe there was something wrong with her. Everyone told her how lovely she was, how much she reminded them of her mother, but it didn’t seem to matter. As soon as she showed a little bit of her private side, people snubbed her. Only the people of the kingdom loved her for her real self, respected her and came to her when there was a problem. They loved and respected her father and Kevaan too, but she just seemed to have a natural rapport that her father and brother didn’t have. She understood them. She knew how to deal with people, real people, not the fake demeanors that plagued the court.
    She had known that eventually her father would put his foot down, but she never thought he’d resort to something so awful. She never thought he hated her that much. She always knew Kevaan was his pride and joy. He was the son after all, but she thought that he still loved her enough to just be patient a bit longer. She should have known he’d lose his temper, but this? And Kevaan, her brother, the only man in her life she loved with all her heart, had betrayed her. He knew and he didn’t tell her. He had said that he wouldn’t because it was father who should be the one to break the bad news, but she was angry at him anyway. He probably did nothing to try and talk father out of it. He was probably fed up with her lack of choices too. He should have told her, softened the blow, made her try to understand. He should have told her he would help her, that he would talk father out of it somehow. But no, he was the heir and could no longer be embarrassed by her either. This would be his kingdom soon; he needed to keep his honor intact. An old maid for a sister does not look good. She didn’t think twenty-one was old, but for most of the court it was. She was now even more enraged at him. How could he do this to her? How could Kevaan betray her like this, especially after knowing what Fallon tried to do to her. Well, it didn’t matter now. She decided. In the morning, she would be gone.
    She had been crying in her pillow for about an hour when there was a knock on the door. She lifted her head and sniffled, then lay back down, not answering the visitor. She didn’t want to see anyone. The person knocked a second time, this time with more force. Then she heard a voice. “Mel, it’s me, Kevaan. Let me in.”
    She lifted her head once again. “No. Go away. I don’t wish to see anyone, even you.”
    “Mel, let me in. We need to talk.”
    “You had your chance earlier. You chose to hide the truth from me. Nothing you say to me now will do any good,” she yelled.
    There was silence for a few moments, and she thought he had decided to give up and leave her alone. It was too much to ask.
    “If you don’t get up and unlatch the door young lady, I will kick it in. Do not test me, Melenthia, you know very well that I will!”
    She rubbed the tears from her eyes and wiped her nose with the back of her hand. Not very lady like she knew, but at this point, what did it matter? The pillow case was drenched with her tears, her shift completely wrinkled now, and her