Epilogue
I watch her. Her green eyes, so full of joy. Her pale, heart-shaped lips and the dimples that appear out of nowhere when she laughs. Does she look like me? Could I have guessed she is my half-sister?
At my request, Caden brought me back to the palace. He wanted me to stay with him—for my own protection and because he didn’t want to leave me alone with my gift. But I couldn’t. Not after everything I experienced. Not after everything that happened.
I know I can’t stay holed up in the palace forever. I still don’t have my sin magic properly under control. I might hurt someone or cause them to harm someone else.
And then there’s my father, the king. One day he’ll wonder what I’m still doing here, and if he finds out I’m his daughter… I don’t even want to think about what will happen then.
For now, I sit with Ophelia in the sitting area of her bedroom having tea, laughing and joking as if nothing has happened. As if I don’t feel torn up inside, mourning the death of my best friend.
Caden took care of Ava’s body. His people cleaned up the apartment so that no trace of the terrible deed remains. I asked what I should do if Mrs.Hughes or anyone else asks me any questions, but he said no one would . Ava simply vanished like she never existed.
“Earth to Kaya.”
“Huh?”
Ophelia waves her hand in front of my face, laughing. She seems chipper today. Maybe because Erin complimented her on her new dress.
“A penny for your thoughts.”
I force myself to smile.
Trust me, you don’t want to know, little sister.
“Can I have another cup of tea?” I ask to avoid answering.
“Of course.”
Ophelia reaches for the round pot and pours me a cup. The water’s steaming. The smell of sage hits my nose. Harmless. Without any temptation. I catch myself thinking how much I’d like to stir a spoonful of honey into the tea.
“Let me guess, you’re thinking about Mr.Nox. You two have been spending quite a bit of time together over the past few days,” Ophelia says, giving me a curious look.
“That’s over,” I say more harshly than I intended. I put the cup to my lips far too quickly and end up burning my tongue.
Ophelia raises her hands in apology.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to imply anything.”
Yes, you did, and you’d be right.
But whatever Caden and I had—the kisses, the touches—it’s over. And I can’t let it happen again. Caden is the darkness, and I won’t get lost in it.
I told him I don’t want him in my life anymore. He gave me a long look and then nodded. I expected him to object, but he didn’t, and part of me was disappointed by it.
I may very well never see Caden Nox again.
There’s a knock at the door and Erin comes into the room. She looks over at me, and I know she’s thinking again about that night I disappeared from the palace. She couldn’t make sense of Ava’s call, and all I told her was that my roommate hadn’t been feeling well, but everything was fine now. She doesn’t believe me, and rightly so. How I hate these lies!
Erin raises her hand, holding up a white paper bag.
“Chocolate croissants?” Ophelia exclaims, and her cheeks turn rosy.
I don’t think it’s necessarily the croissants that delight her but the fact that Erin is the one delivering them. Now that I’ve been training my powers and have a better handle on them, I can taste Erin’s desire on my scalded tongue as the guard joins us at the table.
She opens the bag, and my sister sniffs.
“They smell heavenly!” she says and gives Erin a beaming smile, which the woman returns.
I watch the two of them. They would never dare to openly admit their feelings for each other, yet they can’t live without each other either. Something connects them. Something stronger than all the rules and restraints. I think I understand it now.
Ophelia reaches out to accept the bag. I feel the thread that connects the two of them and draws them constantly toward each other.
And perhaps for a brief moment, I allow myself to embrace my powers. To see them for what they are—neither good nor bad. Maybe I gently tug on the thread that binds Ophelia and Erin together. And maybe, just maybe, Erin’s thumb furtively strokes the back of Ophelia’s hand.
END OF BOOK ONE