With that, the elevator opened and we rode down in silence, Tulya sliding a pair of sunglasses on as we exited.
Outside, we waited for the valet to bring the car around. We slid into our respective seats, and I connected my phone with the GPS and put the car in drive.
“Do you have a plan? Or are we going to aimlessly cruise around?” She didn’t turn to look at me but kept her shaded eyes looking ahead.
“Listen, Tulya, I’m sorry you have to be here. I don’t want to be doing this either, but we both know the wishes of our mothers come before anything else.” I felt the lie all the way to my gut. I did want to be here; I needed to right my brother’s wrong and I didn’t mind the time with Tulya. These were stolen moments.
“You’re not the one whose power is going to be compromised, and we all know you don’t have to do what your mother wants.I do. Your mother isn’t related to the Minister.”
I felt myself nodding, but not able to agree verbally. “My family’s name is on the line. I can’t stand around and watch Mag destroy everything my dad built. And you and I both know if he goes through with this love affair with Valerie, the Minister will darken our name. He’s your uncle, not mine.”
Her lips pursed together; she had no rebuttal because I was right.
Darkening was a real thing in Rubia. If the Minister felt you disobeyed him or the rules, he’d cast a spell on your family, turning all your wealth and happiness into nothing.
We continued on in silence, Tulya cracking a window and allowing the air to flow over her face. The GPS guided me to what I thought should be our first stop.
“Is this where she lives?” Tulya asked as I slowed the car in front of a small bungalow in Fort Lauderdale. The white house sat on a small parcel of land a few blocks from the beach, and I knew for certain Valerie couldn’t afford to live here on her own.
I nodded and explained, “This is where she grew up and still lives with her mom. Her dad apparently passed a year or two ago.”
Tulya shrugged. “I still live with my mother…”
Fuck, I can’t catch a break when it comes to this woman.
“Hardly. You live on your own. You support yourself.” It was the first time I’d mentioned her career to her.
“You know about me?”
Putting the BMW in park, I turned toward her. “It’s not a secret, is it? You should be proud.”
She shook her head. “No. No, it’s not a secret, but Mother would prefer I not do it. Mostly, I’m proud I make my money.”
“Well, looks like I’m not the only one who doesn’t have to do what their mom wants.”
Without responding, she opened her door and stepped out into the sunshine. I took a beat and wondered why her mom didn’t care for her writing. I’d never heard anything about it.
I watched Tulya stride in front of the car, the light fracturing off her sleek hair, I got out myself.
Maybe her inner secrets and mysteries were best kept from me.
“Brothers or sisters?” she asked as we walked up the pebbled path.
“One. Brother.”
“Do you expect to find her here? Just waiting to be reprimanded by you?”
“No. I suspect worse,” was all I gave her. I hadn’t shared with Tulya that my brother likely told her about our plan, the powers involved, and to run.
Pulling her shoulders back, giving the appearance she had no such fears, Tulya rang the bell.
In the background, I heard a woman say, “Let me get it, Blake.”
I knew the brother was Van—rolling my eyes at them both having names starting with V—so I had no idea who we would find named Blake until the door swung open, and staring at me was a small girl, maybe five or six years old, with the same fucking green eyes as myself…and my brother.
Feeling like the air had been squeezed from my lungs, I breathed in and out as Tulya’s hand came to my shoulder, trying to steady me as best she could.
“Hi,” the small child said to us as a woman in her late fifties rushed up behind her.
