“You must miss your Guardians,” I say, realizing yet again how hard this transition has probably been for her.
“I do.” She allows me to guide her down the bridge.
I don’t miss how much easier it is for her to admit to missing her Guardians than the land below.
“Let’s take your mind off all your worries tonight. You deserve a little break.”
I search her eyes, hoping she’ll say yes this time. She peers back into mine, squinting as though in deep thought.
“I need to change first. I refuse to show up to a party in this.” She gestures to the little black dress I love so much.
“Oh, yeah, you better hop to it. You lookhorrid,” I tease.
She drops her jaw as I wink at her. I keep my arm draped around her the entire path to the havens.
Fourteen
Cleo
Kai has no idea this is the first party I’ve attended in years—so many years, I’ve lost count.
I mean, how was he supposed to know? I didn’t push back nearly hard enough. I practically handed him a leash and obeyed.
So unlike me. So damn unlike me.
I gaze at my reflection in the mirror and take a deep breath, readying myself for tonight. There’s a chance that Stephen will be there. Actually, I’m confident he will be—he hardly ever misses a party. When he and I were an item, I almost always opted to skip parties, which bothered him a lot.
I pat my dress, focusing on the way the rhinestones feel against my fingertips. I’m sporting a silver dress covered in microscopic reflective crystals with a classic A-line silhouette. The dress molds against my upper half, framing my breasts and waist nicely, and fans out beyond my waist, ending mid-thigh, complete with a silver silk ribbon threaded around my arms.
I picked it up several months back at the clothing shop in the marketplace, Celeste’s, using my monthly allowance from the Archangels. The sparkling gown reminded me of a disco ball, and embracing a sense of nostalgia, I chose to splurge on it. Despite not knowing when I’d wear it, I couldn’t leave it behind.
This dress was meant to be worn by a girl who once loved the disco.
After applying a minimal amount of makeup—blush and lip gloss—I meet with Kai outside my haven’s building.
He doesn’t say a single thing about my appearance.
Not that I expect him to or anything.
During our stroll to the party, I keep my head held high, not shying away from onlookers. He has only lived full-time in the Middle Realm for a dozen days, and he has already gained a ridiculous amount of attention. It’s unprecedented.
Just before entering the atrium, he pulls me aside to a white brick wall bordering the courtyard, caging me in with one of his arms. With his free hand, he lifts my chin. I unintentionally shudder beneath his touch.
“Follow my lead for once, okay? Don’t overthink it. We’re getting back at him tonight, no matter what it costs us,” he says with a sly smile. I open my mouth to protest when he presses his fingers against my lips, shushing me. The sheer audacity of this man is unparalleled. “Just pretend?”
His eyes drop to my lips and linger there.
Little does he know, I’ve never been good at pretending.
I stare at him, not immensely enjoying the idea of following his lead, but nod soberly, nonetheless. His hazel eyes meet mine. I sigh and begrudgingly give in.
His mouth breaks into an easy smile as my cheeks growwarm.
It’s just harmless flirting—it’s not like this is new to me. I used to do it all the time. How hard can pretending be?
“Great. Let’s go, baby,” he says, grabbing hold of my hand and leading me into the outdoor atrium.
Baby.
