Ruined Read Online Free PDF

glanced at her briefly but said nothing, and she shifted uncomfortably. She suspected he made everyone uncomfortable.
    But he was handsome in a way that was hard to ignore,unfortunately. He had his father’s dark hair but his mother’s blue eyes, and together the effect was striking. The king had an olive complexion much like Em’s; the queen had slightly paler skin. Cas fell somewhere in the middle, his skin tanned from the constant Lera sun. He wore a thin white shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, and she could see muscle definition through the material. She quickly averted her gaze.
    â€œYou requested my presence, Mother?” When he finally spoke it was stiff, almost angry.
    â€œI thought it would be nice if you escorted Mary back to her room. We’ve finished fitting her wedding dress.”
    Cas didn’t glance at Em for even a moment. “Of course.”
    â€œLovely talking with you, dear,” the queen said. Jovita smirked, obviously still pleased with herself for throwing the new princess off balance.
    Em murmured a polite reply as she stepped away from the mirror. Cas extended his arm out to her, and she took it, trying not to grimace at the contact.
    Cas turned to the door so suddenly that Em almost stumbled when he tugged her forward. She grasped his arm tighter, quickly regaining her footing before she embarrassed herself by falling down at his feet.
    â€œHow was your journey to Lera?” he asked as he steered her down the hall.
    â€œIt was fine, thank you.” Honestly, she was exhausted and her body still ached from days on the back of a horse. After hermeeting the Lera guards at the border, it had taken several days to get to the castle with that stupid heavy carriage in tow.
    â€œAnd your rooms are adequate?” he asked.
    â€œThey’re very nice.”
    He nodded once, and then didn’t attempt any further conversation. Em didn’t know whether to be relieved or think he was incredibly rude, so she kept her mouth shut as well.
    Two guards and one maid passed them in the hallway, and she eyed the swords at the guards’ hips. Disarming a member of the Lera guard wouldn’t be easy. She’d probably have better luck yanking a rope off the curtains and using it to strangle Cas. Strangulation took awhile, so she’d have to pull him into a deserted room or corner for at least a full minute.
    He stopped in front of her door, and she slipped her arm out of his. “Thank you,” she said, grasping the door handle.
    â€œYou’ve been told about the Union Battle this afternoon?” he asked.
    â€œI have. Sounds like fun.”
    He lifted one eyebrow, a hint of amusement crossing his face. “I’m glad you think so.” He lowered his voice. “I have it on good authority that one of the guards drank too much last night and isn’t feeling very well today. He has a red beard and a lot of freckles, if you’re looking for an easy choice.”
    She blinked, unsure if this was some kind of trap. “Am I supposed to want the easy choice?” The queen and Jovita had just given her the opposite impression.
    â€œWell, it will make you look good.” He took a step back. His face was far less annoying when he smiled. “I won’t tell, I promise.”
    â€œTh-thank you?” This felt like a trick. King Salomir seized every opportunity to prove Lera was the best, and it seemed this was no exception. They wanted her to fail so they could all laugh about her lack of skills in battle.
    The edges of Cas’s mouth twitched, further convincing her that this tip was his way of trying to embarrass her in front of everyone.
    â€œI’ll keep that in mind.” She wrapped her fingers around his arm and gazed at him steadily. “How kind of you to help me.”
    He took a step back, clearing his throat. “Uh, sure. I’ll see you later.” He turned on his heel and strode down the