I was on a high the next day.
With Christmas almost here, the joyful energy from passengers and staff buzzed throughout the ship.Garlands seemed to have multiplied overnight.Laughter floated across the deck.And after another night with Darius, I felt incredible.Buoyant.Optimistic.
We’d had breakfast together and then we’d gone our separate ways.I’d just left the gym where Maribelle’s mate, Roan, a physical trainer, tried to get me to sign up for a boot camp class—again.
“No, thanks, bear.”I was happy with my routine, which included alternating between machines or free weights followed by getting my steps in circling the outdoor track while I listened to a podcast.I had to stay in shape to fit into the slinky dresses I liked to wear onstage.
We can burn calories with our mate again tonight,my panther suggested with a chuckle.
Good plan.
After walking for a couple of miles, I headed back down to my tiny room to take a shower.While crossing the deck full of people in line at various desks—customer service, restaurant reservations, excursions—I heard a familiar voice and froze.I leaned in like a love-struck kitten to hear more.
“We could easily add an excursion to your selections,” Darius said.
My heart spiked.I held back and listened as he presented more details.
I peeked from behind a potted pine, decorated with garland of course.Darius sat at a table near the dark polished bar.Across from him was Cedric.They each had a glass of what I’d guess to be rum.
“Right, I said I’d look at your proposal after the holidays,” Cedric replied.
I half-listened to their discussion as a spike of heat pierced my chest.
My breath stuttered.It all came crashing down.The hurt wasn’t just sharp—it was crushing, a familiar heartache tightening around my ribs.I’d been here before, tricked by empty words and promises, which was why I’d kept affairs fleeting, never letting anyone get too close.
But I’d slipped.And this time it was much, much worse.Because deep down, a naive part of me had believed him.How foolish.
Business.This was all pretend.
I’d agreed to play a part in Darius’s make-believe production to help him seal a deal with Cedric—which was exactly what he seemed intent on doing.
Darius was negotiating a lucrative deal, one that would make him infinitely more money.And me?I’d gotten so caught up in the fairy tale of us being mates.About the leisurely meals with us getting to know each other better and the hot nights continuing to do so in his luxurious suite.About the holiday celebrations…
I was so immersed in the whirlwind that I’d forgotten that our entire arrangement had been negotiated, just as Darius was doing now with Cedric.It had all been fabricated for financial gain.
Not real.
No,my panther protested.He’s our mate.
But I couldn’t listen to her, not when she’d push that ridiculous agenda.
He’s no different from any of the others—rich, suave, emotionally detached,I told her.Better to leave him before he leaves us.
A slow, aching hollowness spread through my chest.How stupid I’d been—to think the way he touched me, the way he held me, meant something more.Silly, foolish Bria.
Before I could second-guess myself, I stepped forward.“I almost forgot I was part of your deal,” I spat.
Two surprised faces turned to me—Cedric’s with furrowed brows and Darius with wide eyes.
“That this was all pretend.”My voice trembled.I swallowed and it felt like my throat was lined with shards of broken glass.
“Bria—” Darius shot to his feet.
“The deal’s off,” I declared and strode off.Because my heart couldn’t take it.I’d played this game before and knew how it ended—they disembarked and I sailed on alone.But this time it would hurt so much I wasn’t sure I would recover.
“Wait,” he called after me.“Let’s talk about this in private.”When he reached for my arm, I yanked it away.
“No.”I couldn’t look at him, couldn’t bear to see his eyes, which could make me crumple when I had to be strong.I took a deep breath.“Game’s over, dragon.”
