“Morning, Vanitee,” I say with a big smile.
There’s that fake fucking smile I worked so hard to perfect.
It’s back, motherfuckers. And so am I.
Vanitee’s gaze remains dark and dead, but she does sneak a glance at Nyra. Probably to see how she should react to me.
Kindly. And carefully, if you’re smart.
Nyra hesitates, but she does press the smallest of tense smiles against her full lips. Last night and the time we’ve spent here in general has strained our relationship—just like that strained pleasantry in her features as she looks at me at her side.
“You’re not mad...” she says—more of a statement than a question.
I was never mad. I was and still am confused.
I’m so fucking confused, I don’t think I’ll ever find all the answers I’m missing in my life. But little by little, I’ll find a way to be okay with it all.
“I was never mad. You have every right to be, though. I’m sorry for how much I’ve...” ruined her life... “For everything. I’m so sorry, Nyra.”
The false happiness in her eyes, it dims out entirely. She pauses, and no words pass between us. The tension tightens so hard, I feel like it’s going to snap and shatter me in the process.
Until she leans in and wraps her slender arms around my shoulders. Her head rests against my shoulder, and there’s a short passing of a second where the feeling of childhood is all around us. The embrace of trust and family is there in warm and calming waves, wrapping around our hearts until it’s all I feel, and all I want.
Until she pulls back.
Her hand lingers on the back of mine, and there’s a serene look on her pretty face.
The pounding of emotions fills my chest, and we gaze at one another with too many years pressing between us to ever get back that comfort of innocent childhood long gone. But we have each other still.
We always will.
"Why did she lie?" I whisper, and I can’t control the waver in my tone.
The sweet kindness in her features falls instantly, and she looks back at Vanitee so fast that I feel her own uneasiness.
“Not now, Cers,” she hisses before shoving a large, crimson helping of devil’s eggs into her mouth. I blink at her while Vanitee watches us closely.
My stomach falls as realization slams into me.
The lie... it’s bigger than I thought.
It means more than I could ever imagine.
And I’m stuck imagining until I can catch a moment alone with the one person who I trust more than anyone in all the realms.
Nine
The Secret
As night falls,the moon presses down on us from high in the sky. The goddess’s magic sparks alive and well among the castle gardens where everyone gathers with their wine and party tricks. Wings of demons and fae alike spread wide, swirling cool night air all around us as steady drums beat into our hearts.
The night itself is alive.
And I can’t stop watching Nyra mingle with her friends like the true creep I’m starting to become.
“Goddess,” I whisper into my cup as I take another bitter gulp.
“Are you trying to drink the kingdom dry?” A snapping sarcastic voice whispers along my neck.
