Batty Royale

Kingdom of Thorns

“Charly, whatever is wrong with you?” Harry plucked the still-burning cigarette from the crumpled bedsheets and stubbed it out in the crystal swan Charly kept by her bedside. He studied her face; she had gone pale and her hands were trembling as she held the heart shaped locket away from her body like it was a live wire. She wasn’t the kind of woman to tremble and faint, which is why he loved her. That, and she didn’t think women should ride side-saddle.