My father wouldn’t recognize the woman I am today. Not at all.
For once, I’m grateful my father isn’t alive to see the daughter he raised. I’m grateful he isn’t alive to see the destruction I’ll bring to the mortal realm.
Someday, the Eminence will come and it’ll either rain wrath on this already demolished world, or it’ll restore it to the beauty it once was.
“Kara.” My name’s a shadow of a whisper against his lips. “I knew my step mother better than anyone. Don’t pity her because of her appearance. Her ambitions were dangerous. She harmed so many people; my father and myself included. Do not let her fool you into feeling guilty for your actions. If anyone knows anything about judging someone at face value, it should be you.”
My breaths halt, and slowly, I tip my head up to look him in the eye.
Sincerity is there. I used to think this fae was nothing more than an expert liar. He’s not. Ryder’s as noble as the blood running through his veins.
His head tips down to mine, our hair mixing together where our temples touch. Soft cotton caresses my fingertips as I push up his hard chest, feeling every line of muscle before my hands lock behind his neck.
“Thank you,” I whisper, his warm breath kissing my words.
“You didn’t tell me you were dating the angel, Ry,” Mesa’s words break the trance Ryder and I were starting to fall into.
I pull back from him, stumbling only slightly until my feathers hit the bar. A heavy sigh falls from Ryder’s lips as he shoves his hands into his pockets. I stare into her deep dark eyes and a small smile pulls at my lips.
“Actually, we’re brother and sister.” I smirk as I throw a quick glance toward my baffled prince.
He slowly lifts his attention to me, his lips parting with confusion.
What?He mouths.
I keep that smile in place even as worry knots up my stomach.
I’m worried about myself.
A part of me is terrified I’m getting lost in my life. Darrio loves me. Someone actually loves me, and I’m here in a realm outside of the human world flying through the air and being chased by creatures of the night. And also being pressed up against the twins’ best friend for comfort.
After sleeping with Darrio’s brother, let’s not forget.
So, the best thing for both of us, is to find camaraderie instead of lust. I needed a wall between us. A sibling lie is as good as I can get.
“She’s your sister?” Her perfectly sculpted brow rises as she studies me carefully. Another flash of neon pink dances through my vision. “She does look like you sort of. Prettier of course, but I do see the resemblance.” She gives Ryder a teasing smirk, but he’s still looking at me with his mouth gaping open, probably wondering why I’m a total pathological liar.
His back meets my hand as I clasp him on his shoulder, trying to grasp the image of sibling love the best I can. As an only child, I have no idea what sibling love looks like. I barely know what love in general looks like.
So, I lay it on a little heavy. The shaved side of his head is coarse against my fingertips as I tousle the longer locks on top, then I give him a quick one-two mock fighting jabs against his shoulder, a few pew pew finger guns and the cheesiest wink I possess.
And still he stares at me like I’ve lost my damn mind.
Gods above, maybe I have.
Chapter Three
Unlikely Friends
“Why did you lie, Kara?” The door closes, and he leans against it. As quickly as my throbbing leg will carry me, I’m on the other side of the room, with as much space as possible between him and I.
The dark, metal walls cage us in together, forcing us to talk. There’s no décor here; just sleek, shining walls and a single hanging lantern to light the shadows of the small room. There are only two doors; one’s the exit and one appears to be a tiny bathroom. No closet, no dresser. Just a bed to keep myself and my prince company.
Perfect.
I toy with the thin quilt, straightening it until it’s pressed tightly across the small mattress.
The mattress he and I will share.
