Twisted Kingdom (Royal Elite #3) by Rina Kent

I dive straight in and bury my face in his chest. Dad’s arms wrap around me in a warm, soothing hug. The tears I fought since I saw him today stream down my cheeks. “You’re… Y-you’re back.”

“I promised you I would never leave you. I’m sorry I’m late, princess.”

I shake my head frantically. “You’re back.”

For what seems like forever, I continue to cry against his chest. My fingers dig into his shirt as if I’m back to being that little girl.

Daddy’s little girl.

“I’ll never leave you again. I promise.”

I hiccough into his chest, my breaths coming in and out in a frenzy.

“We’re here!” Knox shouts and then murmurs. “Thank God.”

“Are you ready to go inside our house?” Dad strokes the hair away from my face.

I pull my head from Dad’s chest and nod, but even then, a riot starts at the bottom of my stomach.

Am I ready to go into the house where I lost my childhood?

Only one way to find out.





4





Elsa





Home.

Such a strange word.

Here I am again. In Birmingham. At home.

Knox has already hopped out of the car as if his arse was on fire.

The distance from the front gate to the mansion is long. A stylish garden extends as far as the sight goes, and it’s filled with trees cut into different geometrical shapes.

A tremor shoots through my limbs as Dad and I stand in front of the mansion’s grand gate.

Two lion statues decorate the entrance, just like in my fragmented memories.

I don’t think I ever realised just how big our mansion was when I was younger. I remember the wires, the private lake, and the long runs Dad and I took within the perimeters of our property.

Our house is larger than the King’s mansion. Perhaps it’s because they’re in London while we’re far away from the city, in Birmingham.

The cloudy sky casts a gloomy shroud over the two towers standing tall on the eastern side.

A shudder runs through me at the sight, clawing at my ribcage like a prisoner needing release. There’s something about those towers, but what?

“Welcome home, princess.”

I rip my gaze from the architectural masterpiece to stare at my father. He watches me with pride and accomplishment like he wanted to bring me back here all along.

“I… I thought the whole house was burned down in the fire.”

“It was.” Nostalgia covers his gaze before it soon disappears. “It wasn’t easy, but we renovated it to make it look like before.”

“I see.”

It’s all too… surreal.

If it becomes red and foggy right now, I would know for sure it’s a dream. Maybe I’m still in Dr Khan’s office, reliving the memory of my first meeting with Aiden.

Maybe this morning never happened. Maybe Aiden isn’t engaged to Silver.

I inwardly shake my head. I won’t think about him. I won’t think about him...

Dad takes my hand and interlaces it with his arm. “Let’s go inside. You must be tired.”

My feet move of their own volition as we step into the foyer.

Marble.

That’s the first thought that jumps to mind. Marble flooring, marble stairs, and even a marble lion statue.

Wait. Is that a thing?

A middle-aged man — who resembles Robert De Niro — and two women dressed in maids outfits bow upon our entry.

I nod back awkwardly. It’s so weird to have people bow like we’re royalty. Though, from what I’ve learnt about Steel Corporation, Dad might as well be considered nobility in Birmingham.

He doesn’t seem the least bit fazed by the staff. He acknowledges them and moves along.

I’m like a lost orphan walking by his side. With my semi-wet clothes and dishevelled hair, I also look the part.

Dad and I stride into the enormous lounge area with its vaulted, golden ceilings and dazzling light. Two large lion statues decorate the sweeping marble stairs. Two tall Chinese warriors paintings stand on either side of the stairs in perfect symmetry.

Now I know where my love for old Chinese war books and philosophers comes from.

Several French windows are strategically lined throughout the lounge area, allowing a peek into the garden.

It’s exactly like in my vision.

Maybe this is a vision, too. Maybe I’m hallucinating, and my father isn’t alive.

That thought brings a bitter, sticky taste to the back of my throat. I squeeze his hand in mine to make sure this isn’t a mind trick.

No. Dad is here.

He came back for me.

“There you are.”

My attention snaps to my right. A middle-aged man comes down the stairs with a polite smile on his face.

He’s dressed in a three-piece, striped suit, appearing fit and well-built for a man his age. His pale blue eyes resemble a snow tiger and, although he doesn’t appear old, his hair is peppered with white strands.

Wait.

There’s something familiar about him.

I take a closer look at the man and my eyes widen. “You.”

“Told you she’d recognise you.” Knox crashes into the man from behind, wrapping an arm around his shoulder, grinning with mischief. “Pay up the hundred, Agnus.”

“Do you recognise me?” The man — Agnus — asks without paying attention to Knox.