Stefani
* * *
“What is this?”
I’d invited them in and we’d gone straight to the kitchen, mostly because I knew Kovo had a bigger appetite than a teenage boy.
I ran my fingertips over the delicate symbols and swirls on the outside of the metal box. About the size of a shoebox, the piece was obviously heirloom, high quality, and very old. It didn’t look exactly like gold, but it didn’t look like anything else, either. It was unique.
“That belonged to Velik’s grandmother. He wanted the girls to have it.” Kovo’s explanation made my heart skip a beat.
“He what?”
“He wanted Alena and Terra to have his grandmother’s cuffbox. They were very close when Velik was growing up. The piece has sentimental value as well as practical.” Kovo sounded like a lawyer informing me of the terms of Velik’s last will and testament.
“Why are you telling me this? Why doesn’t he just give it to them himself?” I found the delicate clasp and released it. Slowly, I lifted the lid to see what the beautiful antique held.
Mating cuffs. His and hers. They rested on a black material that looked softer than silk. The detail carved into the cuffs matched that on the outside of the box. Lining the edges were a handful of small pockets, in each pocket a glittering crystal about the size of an almond. They didn’t appear to be jewelry. The crystals were not attached to pendants or bracelets that I could see.
Did they slip into the mating cuffs?
I lifted one of the smaller cuffs, turning it this way, and that, to look for a place to attach one of the crystals, but found none. They were stunning works of art. “These were his grandmother’s?”
I glanced up from the female mating cuff to find Adrian wiping a tear from her eye. “Yes. They have been in his family for generations.”
“What’s wrong? Why are you crying?”
I looked at Kovo for answers, but his arms were crossed and he remained mute.
“Adrian?”
“Stefani?” She mocked me.
I glared. “Don’t do that. Whatever you have to say, just say it.”
She sighed and Kovo reached over to gently rub her back. She leaned into him, and I bit back tears of my own. Every second I missed Velik more.
Adrian took a deep breath. “I love you, and you know I will support you, no matter what.”
“I know.” We were twins. Even more important, we were sisters who had survived growing up in a poor neighborhood with a single mother. Loyal didn’t begin to describe our relationship.
“Henry is a great guy. And I know he spent a lot of time with you, helping you with the girls.”
“What does any of this have to do with Henry?”
Adrian reached across the table to grab my hand. “I don’t know why you chose him, but it’s your choice. Not mine.”
“What choice?” Was she implying that I wanted to be with Henry?
Kovo finally decided to butt in. “Normally, in situations such as this, the assets remain under the control of the warlord’s family on Atlan. But with the birth of his daughters, Velik wanted to ensure his wealth transferred to them.”
“To the twins? Why is he giving mating cuffs to the twins?”
He inclined his head. I realized he had totally misunderstood my question as soon as he spoke. “A warlord’s wealth is extensive, Stefani. You know this. Your father has accepted the role of guardian, at Velik’s behest. He will maintain the properties and assets until such time as the girls come of age, or in the event you should relocate to Atlan.” He cleared his throat. “I would have accepted the responsibility myself, but I can never return to Atlan. For this reason, the duty belongs to your father, the twins’ grandfather.”
“I don’t understand. Why doesn’t Velik just take care of it himself?”
“He cannot. He is not your mate. He has been deemed unworthy.”
