Twisted-Games

His words echoed in my head, taunting me.
I had never, not once in my life, entertained the possibility Nikolai
wouldn’t take over the throne. He’d wanted to be king. Everyone had wanted
him to be king. He’d been ready.
Me? I didn’t think I’d ever be ready.
When did Nikolai propose to Sabrina? How long had everyone known?
Was his planned abdication part of the reason for Grandfather’s collapse?
I didn’t remember seeing an engagement ring on Sabrina’s finger at the
hospital, but if they were keeping it under wraps until the announcement, she
wouldn’t be wearing one.
I was in the dark about something that affected me more than anyone
except Nikolai, and I was so consumed by my inner turmoil I didn’t notice
the low-hanging branch speeding toward me until it was too late.
Pain exploded on my forehead. I fell off my horse and landed on the
ground with a hard thud, and the last thing I remembered seeing was the
storm clouds roll in overhead before darkness swallowed me whole.