Ruined Read Online Free PDF Page A

he planned to ignore her entirely. His parents had arranged this marriage; maybe he had a girl somewhere who he loved, and he would pretend Em didn’t exist.
    When she’d concocted this plan, she’d known, in the back of her mind, that she’d have to deal with the wedding night. Sex was generally expected immediately following a wedding, which meant that tomorrow night she’d have to be in Cas’s bed. She’d never been in anyone’s bed.
    She just wouldn’t think about it. She still had another day until the wedding, and pretending the issue didn’t exist seemed the best course of action.
    Perhaps she’d focus on her plan to kill him instead. She needed Cas, at least for a little while, but she hoped to dispose of him before leaving Lera. She’d kill him before the king and queen, so they could experience a bit of the pain she’d felt when her family died.
    â€œI’m sorry,” Em said, trying to compose herself. “I love the dress.”
    â€œOf course you do,” the queen said. “I have excellent taste.”
    Em laughed despite herself, which earned a smile of approval from the queen.
    The women took some measurements and put pins in the garment, then helped Em out of it.
    â€œHave you spoken to Cas much since arriving?” the queen asked as Em slipped the pink dress back on.
    â€œOnly a little,” Em replied. If him saying hello to her yesterday at dinner counted.
    â€œDon’t worry, you’ll warm up to each other soon.” The queen’s lips twitched, as if she was thinking something she didn’t want to share. “Have you been told about the Union Battle?”
    â€œNot that I recall,” Em said carefully, not sure if Mary was supposed to have that information. A maid pulled her dress tighter, trying to button it, and she sucked in a breath.
    â€œIt’s a traditional part of a royal Lera wedding,” the queen said. “The royal’s intended battles someone of his or her choice for the entertainment of everyone. With dull blades, of course.”
    Em tried to hide a smile. That sounded exactly like her kind of wedding festivities.
    â€œThe point is to prove your worth and skill in battle,” Jovita said. “I, for one, am looking forward to it. You know, the queen beat the captain of the king’s guard at her battle. It was a very tough choice of competitor, and she demolished him. Everyone still talks about it.”
    â€œJovita, stop,” the queen said lightly. “You’ll make her nervous.” She patted Em’s hand. “You’re allowed to pick whomever you want, dear.”
    The condescension was so thick Em almost laughed. It was just like the Lera royal family to think they had everyone beat.
    â€œI was ordered to kill the Ruined king in order to marry Cas. You don’t think that proved my worth and skill in battle?” Em lied, swallowing down a wave of nausea. Mary murdering her father had been nothing more than a test to these people.
    â€œThen I guess today won’t be a challenge at all,” Jovita said. Her smile didn’t falter, but her eyes flicked to the queen’s.
    â€œAre you done?” the queen asked the maid who was fastening the last button. “Let’s call for Cas.”
    â€œOh, you don’t have to do that,” Em said quickly.
    â€œWe’ll just have him escort you back to your room,” the queen said with an amused expression. “He can’t avoid you forever, after all.” She told one of the maids to fetch him.
    Em sighed and ran a hand over her hair. A glance in the mirror confirmed that she appeared tired and pale (and utterly ridiculous in the too-small pink dress), and she hoped Cas found her exceedingly unattractive.
    The door opened only a few moments later to reveal Cas, wearing an expression like someone was poking him in the back with hot knives. He appeared angry, bored, or both. He