“She’s waiting in the formal ballroom downstairs. I came to get you as soon as she arrived, after assessing her intentions,” Blaise says as he walks towards the door. “I’ll wait outside so you can get ready, Aimee.”
The door closes behind him with a deafening thud, just as loud as the sound of my turbulent heartbeats in my ears. Killian picks up the dress from the ground before disrobing me and pulling it over my head, as if he’s putting clothes on a small child or a rag doll. I shake out of my daze just enough to grab his hand, my eyes imploring.
“Killian, listen to me. Something’s off.”
“Shhh, little umbra. Everything will finally be alright,” he says, his voice filled with hope. “I told you she would come for you. Nothing can truly break a sisterly bond. I knew that when push comes to shove, she would forget any petty squabbles between you and do the right thing.” He drags me out of the room easily, my body too disoriented to fight back. I’m lightheaded and feel a violent need to spill my guts all over the stoned hallway floors.
Nothing is alright, and as dread seeps into my bones, I realize I utterly fucked up.
I didn’t get the chance to reveal the truth to him, and now we’re facing whatever horrors my sister has planned for me.
What have I done?
CHAPTER 29
Killian
Ican’thelpthefull-blownsmile that takes over my features as I walk with Blaise and Aimee towards the formal events hall downstairs. The strange fuzzy limbs of mortal happiness creep all around me, mingling themselves with my shadows. Happiness is such a foreign concept for a vampire. It’s simply too ephemeral in its beautiful absurdity for us to bother chasing it. But as I eat up the corridors in hurried strides, clasping Aimee’s hand in mine, racing to meet my destiny, I can’t shake this warm, happy feeling. It can’t be anything but a sign from Akaori herself that right after I confessed my love to Aimee, her sister appears, willing to help. Akaori herself has bestowed upon us her blessings, approving of our union.
Her fingers tremble in my grasp, and I guess her nervousness is to be expected. She hasn’t seen her twin in five long years, and her childhood tales didn’t paint them as close. But bloodis always thicker than water, and there was no way in hell that her sister wouldn’t care at all about her, petty childish jealousies aside.
I push the ornate double doors open, revealing the gilded interiors, with vast hardwood floors, mirrored ceilings that gleam in the light, and golden walls painted with different serene scenes from our history: my coronation, the development of Drovillan, and numerous idyllic, hedonistic portrayals of vampires and mortals engaged in decadent affairs.
Just before we enter, I hear Aimee’s sharp intake of breath as she detangles her fingers from mine, taking two steps back, putting herself behind Blaise, as if he were a vampiric shield that can protect her. I frown at the sudden loss of contact, as well as at the fact that she chose my second-in-command’s refuge over mine. Doesn’t she know I would give my eternity away to safeguard her? Aren’t I her sanctuary just as much as she is mine? Or is this about her conviction that her twin would react badly to our relationship?
Aimee focuses her sight on the figure standing in the corner, her back turned to us, looking in fascination at the grand marble statue of Akaori herself. Her chocolate brown hair hangs pin-straight down her back, just a palm or two shorter than Aimee’s. The crown of her head is decorated with silver chains and moonstones, as the current Fae noble fashion dictates. Her periwinkle gown hugs her scandalous curves, and her naked arms are wrapped in snow-white lace gloves that reach the middle of her forearms. She is a vision of opulent beauty and grace, and yet she doesn’t hold a candle to my little umbra.
“Miss Vaureghain.”
I clear my throat to alert her to our presence.
With a swish of her layered skirts, Aurora turns towards us, her eyes widening as she scans each one of us. Her cunning amber eyes, so similar and yet worlds apart from Aimee’s, studyus for a second longer before crinkling in glee and relief. I can see the same shades of molten gold in them, but they lack the warmth of Aimee’s gaze, as well as her inner shadows. Aurora has the eyes of a pampered noble, born and raised in luxury, sheltered from life’s harshness and cruelty. They’re stunning, but lack the depth of Aimee’s gaze that mesmerized me from the first time we glanced at each other.
“Oh, thank heavens! By the mercy and grace of Alektrionna, Reythia, and Ereshkygall! You’re alive and safe, little sister!” she says, clutching her chest with her gloved hand as she approaches us. It’s so foreign to hear Aurora praise the Fae Godesses of life, love and death by their full names. Aimee never acknowledges them, sticking to the general term of “Gods”.
“What are you doing here, Aurora?” my little umbra asks in a voice so ice-cold that a shiver runs down my spine. I’ve never heard her speak so devoid of emotion, not even when she hated all our guts for believing we were evil, despicable creatures.
“Don’t be silly, little sister,” Aurora says, with a pang of condescension in her tone, before she covers it with a relieved laugh. “News reached me you were kept by the Vampire King in his castle. That he was searching for me and mistook you for me. I came to make sure you were alright, to bargain for your release.”
She directs her almond-shaped eyes at me. “I see the rumors were greatly exaggerated. My sister doesn’t seem to be in any peril.”
“Of course she isn’t,” I scoff. “Neither are you, Miss Vaureghain.”
“Aurora, please,” she offers in a saccharine voice. “The Fae’s perception of your rule, King Killian, might also be askew. I don’t feel threatened in your presence, as I was raised to expect. However, I am intrigued by your motives to guest my sister atyour castle. I assume your realm-wide hunt for me has to do with that Godsforsaken prophecy.”
“Doh,” Blaise snickers from beside me, rolling his eyes, and I don’t miss how Aimee grabs his biceps, squeezing lightly, and shaking her head slowly at him. Nor does Aurora, narrowing her eyes at the gesture, before a full-blown smile forms on her ruby lips.
“Ah, I see.” She quirks a knowing brow at her sister, giving Blaise an appraising once-over, before returning her gaze to me. Does she think Aimee and Blaise are frolicking? The ugly green-eyed monster coils around my insides, snapping its jagged teeth and hissing. My shadows react to my inner turmoil, pooling down at our feet. I feel a savage urge to stake my claim brutishly over Aimee, in front of her twin, and the whole wide world.
My centuries of strained diplomacy kick in, and I know such a rush move could blow up in all our faces. I have to play the perfect host, to deploy my charm like a honeyed blade, and to get Aurora to name her price for agreeing to help in defeating Morweena and the onpyrs.
“Indeed, my lady. We need your gracious help in facing an ancient force that is threatening the safety of my kingdom, and even the entire realm. I apologize for the unsavory way that we attracted your attention, but please believe me when I say it is for the greater good. Shall we discuss the terms of your support now?”
Aurora laughs, the sound shrill and somewhat rehearsed, not like the genuine crystalline giggles my umbra sometimes makes. Fucking hell! I seem unable to stop comparing the two sisters in my mind.
“None of that, King Killian, or can I call you Killian, darling? Where is that vampire hospitality that nobody talks about? I am positively famished and exhausted after such a long ride to reach Sangeries. I would like to be escorted to my chambers to rest. Wecan discuss all that later over a lavish dinner.” She throws me a pouty smile, and I can feel anger radiating from Aimee at my back. Well, at least I can find solace because she seems just as affected by jealousy as I am.
“As you wish, Aurora,” I say. “Blaise here can escort you and alert the servants to be at your disposal. We shall dine tonight in the formal dining hall and discuss it all.” I throw Blaise a pointed look, and he straightens.
