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I sighed and looked around the room, my thoughts stuttering. Large white bows sat atop red boxes of varying sizes. They were stacked on top of each other and spread across the room. I gasped, surprise chasing away the lingering dread of the dream and my abrupt awakening.
I crawled toward the end of the bed, knocking the sheets off as I went. A tower of presents lined the foot of the bed, and I couldn’t stop my squeal of excitement. I picked up the closest box. It had a flower and a small note attached to it. I brushed the petals of the flower against my cheek before reading the card.
You spoke of gifts as a tradition, and I could not decide on just one thing to get you, so I got you a few of your favorite things.
Yours truly, Samkiel
I bit my bottom lip and tipped the flower to my nose, inhaling deeply. I jumped off the bed, my smile so wide it made my cheeks ache as I went through every box. Samkiel had given me shoes so beautiful I couldn’t believe they existed, perfume and jewelry I didn’t know where I would wear, and dresses. So many dresses. There were a handful of lacy items with a small note filled with promises of pleasure.
I changed into a black lace set before pulling on a loose shirt and cream pants. My smile never wavered as I moved around the room, putting away everything he had gotten me. I picked up one large box and realized I must have missed this one. Ripping the lid off, I gasped and squealed, jumping up and down. I touched the long embroidered silver dress almost reverently. This was way too nice for dinner or anything I could think of, so why did he get it?
Music flooded the downstairs, a soft melody that had my head whipping toward the door. I placed the dress on the bed and hurried down the steps to investigate. Maybe his meeting hadn’t taken as long as he thought it would, and he had come back early. If Samkiel had made me breakfast and was playing Celebration of The Fall music, I would have to admit that Gabby’s stupid fairytale movies were indeed real.
My heart leaped into my throat, and my steps faltered on the stairs as the melody picked up. A single note, a swift change, and familiarity washed over me. My mind supplied the memory of a small music box bought on the streets of Eoria for two girls who used to hate the dead silence of the desert. It would have been a sweet gesture if Samkiel had left me with a simple song this morning. But no one knew this song.
Only Gabby and I.
And, of course, Kaden.
I stood in the open foyer, terror making me a bit faint. “It’s about time you showed up.”
Kaden stood in the middle of the room with a veslir tucked between his shoulder and cheek, playing that damn song. He spun, his long coat flaring around his thighs as he spotted me and smiled.
“Do you like it?” He pointed at the veslir in his hand. “I remember you loved this song. Played it over and over until that damn box broke.”
I glanced around the room, checking my peripherals, but there were no Irvikuva. No flapping of wings or snapping jaws, just Kaden. I inched further into the room, looking for any object I could use to defend myself. If I could blind or distract him long enough, I could make it to the door. If I could make it out, scream, something, maybe Samkiel would hear me. I was useless like this. Powerless.
“Since when did you learn to play?” I asked, squaring my shoulders and hoping my scent didn’t reveal how terrified I was.
Kaden’s grin widened, his fingers dancing over the strings. “I ate a veslirist, and then I, you know, ate a veslirist.”
I nodded and crept closer to the end table. Kaden was so self-absorbed he didn’t even notice. I used what strength I had and kicked the small table toward him. I didn’t wait to see if it landed, but I heard it hit something, and then he laughed.
“You can’t leave, Dianna,” he shouted as I sprinted toward the open door.
He was right. I didn’t get far. Two figures filled the doorway, and my blood ran cold. I skidded to a halt, nearly stumbling over my feet as disbelief swamped me.
“I am not surprised by Vincent’s betrayal,” I said, backpedaling. I shrugged as if my heart didn’t feel like it would burst from my chest. “But Cameron?” I shook my head. “That I didn’t see coming.”
“Eh, don’t blame the kid,” Kaden murmured behind me. “He is just in love. It’s honestly my favorite thing and the perfect weapon. If you find the one thing someone cannot live without and wield it, they will do anything. You should know.”
Cameron and Vincent herded me back into the foyer, and I turned to face Kaden. I folded my arms, trying to calm my racing heart.
Kaden set the veslir aside and sat on the couch with a sigh. He crossed one leg over the other and draped his arms along the back.
“Cameron, whatever he has promised you—”
Kaden made a clicking sound with his teeth and held up a hand, cutting me off. “Let’s not be rude now, Dianna. I gave you a pretty amazing life until you betrayed me.”
“Betrayed you?” I scoffed. “You kept me on a leash, dangling my sister in front of me so I’d do anything you say.”
“Technically, she is not your sister, but a fair point.” He shrugged. Gods, I detested him. “How did you like finding out about that? Vincent has Onuna wired. Every camera feed you can think of. It comes in handy when trying to hide or broadcast a televised event across worlds.”
My head whipped toward Vincent, and even Cameron seemed to be surprised. Vincent held my stare. He’d known the whole time. He’d been helping Kaden the whole time.
“I saw you and Neverra break into the warehouse for those files. How does it feel to have your whole world tipped upside down by the lies of your so-called family?”
“Rot in Iassulyn,” I hissed at Kaden, tearing my eyes from Vincent and Cameron.
