River nodded, her smile smaller now but sincere. “Yes, truly.”
Isabelle scoffed quietly. Not enough to be loud. But just enough to be heard.
The silence that followed was suffocating.
River glanced her way. “Something to say, Isabelle?”
Her sister didn’t look up. “Not at all. Just admiring how quickly you’ve adapted to life as a princess,” she said coolly. “You’ve always had a talent for falling upwards. Even if is with a beast.”
River’s heart clenched. The venom was subtle, but unmistakable.
“I didn’t ask for this, and I would not allow you to speak like this of my mate,” River said in a decisive tone.
“No,” Isabelle replied, still not meeting her eyes. “But it always seems to land in your lap anyway.”
Their mother shifted uncomfortably. “Girls—”
“It’s fine, Mama,” River said, he
