Chapter 31
THIRTY-ONE
EMMA
Friday night.
Ball-night. Ball-night? Sounded more like a tea bagging situation than the fancy dance party I was preparing for.
Looking in the mirror, I was surprised to find I wasn’t entirely disappointed with the reflection staring back at me. A sleek, red-and-black gown hugged my figure, its high slit daring and the plunging neckline, edged with lace, barely covered the sides of my breasts.
My hair was styled up, though a few loose strands framed my face, softening the look. Heavily adorned with gold jewelry, I looked like a high-end escort on her way to a royal ball.
It seemed heartbreak and perpetual anxiety suited me.
Thoughts of James tried to force their way to the surface, but I shoved them back down.
We were on a diplomatic mission—there was no time to dwell on the pain I had expertly locked away in that little black box, buried deep in the recesses of my mind.
I gulped in air as if preparing for battle and exited the room, my high heels clicking against the marble floor, propelling me forward—though not as quickly as I would have liked.
As I entered the ballroom, my eyes were immediately drawn to Caden. He stood among a group of at least ten other magi—looking a lot hotter in a suit than I wanted to admit—all laughing at whatever crap had spilled from his lips.
A charming grin played at the corners of his mouth, and his face glowed with what seemed like genuine amusement. I shook my head, unimpressed by his fake display of charm and wit—the dark prince of deception disguised as the perfect gentleman.
Though, as I stared at him for a second, I couldn’t ignore the way he radiated confidence—like he fucking owned the place.
Black suit, white shirt, collar open just enough to suggest he didn’t have to follow anyone’s rules.
He looked like a walking power play, equal parts ‘alpha-genes’ and ‘billionaire crime lord,’ depending on who you asked.
As if sensing my perusal, his head turned sharply.
The grin vanished, replaced by something darker, something dangerous flickering in his eyes as they roamed unapologetically over my body.
His gaze dropped to my breasts and stayed there.
I thinned my lips, and it took every ounce of self-control not to flip him off.
Ignoring him, I moved toward the large table filled with appetizers, feeling his stare trailing me the entire way.
But Caden wasn’t the only one watching. The dress I’d chosen to wear, was clearly doing its job, drawing attention from every corner of the room.
Within seconds, even Petru had sidled up to my side.
"Miss Emma, if I may say so, you look absolutely exquisite this evening," he murmured, his voice dripping with charm as he smoothed a hand through his silver-streaked hair.
I flashed him a coy smile. "Thank you, Petru. You don’t look so bad yourself."
His eyes twinkled as he extended a hand with an inviting smile. "Would you do me the honor of a dance? I think it's the least I can offer in light of recent discussions."
I let out a small chuckle, nodding. "I suppose I can spare a dance."
He led me onto the floor, his movements practiced, though lacking any grand flair. It was a comfortable, easy rhythm as we moved, the other couples around us blending into the soft music filling the room.
Petru didn’t speak much as we danced, only the occasional polite comment, and for that I was grateful. It was nice to simply float along for a moment.
After a few turns around the room, he broke the silence, sounding suddenly a lot more thoughtful. "Emma, I hope you don’t think I’m a coward for not immediately agreeing to your proposal."
I blinked, caught off guard. "Of course not. You had the best interests of those close to you at heart. Which is what a true leader does, not a coward."
He nodded, though he seemed lost in thought. "You’re kind to say, but I still feel the need to explain."
I gently rested my hand on his. "You don’t have to. Fatherhood has a way of changing a man, or so I’ve heard."
A slight frown appeared on his hardened features. "Fatherhood? It’s not my child or wife I’m worried about."
"Oh," I replied, taken aback. "I’m sorry—I shouldn’t have assumed."
"It’s my sister, Oxana," he clarified quickly, a hint of protectiveness creeping into his voice. "We’re the only ones left of our entire family, and she’s pregnant. Her husband was killed in a freak accident, and now I’m all she has. Honestly, she and her baby are all I have too."
I smiled, sympathy softening my opinion of him. "I understand. There isn't anything I wouldn't do for my own family either."
The music ended, and I let go of his hand, but he grasped it again briefly. "Thank you for understanding. I look forward to working with you in the future, though I hope it won't be as necessary as I fear."
I smiled back as we walked to a quieter corner of the room but caught the subtle shift in Petru's demeanor as he glanced to his right.
"May I ask you a more personal question?" he inquired, handing me a glass of champagne he’d snagged from a passing waiter.
"Sure," I replied, then took a sip of my glass.
"Are you and Caden Colt an item?"
I nearly choked on my drink. "Gods, no. No, no, no. Not now, not ever. No."
"Are you sure? Because he keeps looking at me like he might murder me right now."
My attention darted toward Caden. Petru wasn’t wrong—Caden's death stare was back, more intense than ever. Gone was his charming facade, replaced by the ruthless warrior I knew he really was. I flared my nostrils. Seriously, what did he have to be angry about?
"Trust me, it's me he wants to kill," I muttered.
"I think he might like you," Petru suggested.
I snorted. "I think you're delusional."
Petru smiled, a glint of amusement in his expression. "I think I might like you."
"Are you hitting on my subordinate?" a stone-cold voice demanded.
I frowned at Caden’s interruption, irritation prickling at the edges of my composure. "I’m not anyone’s subordinate, and I’m certainly not your anything," I replied dryly.
Caden’s lips curved into a smile, but the warmth didn’t reach his face.
The rich, whiskey-brown softness I’d seen once or twice was long gone, replaced by that familiar cold edge.
It was always there—the danger simmering beneath the surface.
But when he turned to Petru, however, his entire demeanor shifted.
"I noticed your beautiful library when I walked down to the gardens this afternoon. Impressive collection you have there."
Just like that, he’d switched personalities again.
To the untrained eye, this Caden appeared effortlessly charming, the very picture of social grace.
But as I studied him—the ease of his manners, the lightness in his tone, the way his shoulders seemed relaxed—I realized the ruthlessness never left him.
I recognized his strategy all too well. It was the same one I had tried perfecting during my days as a lawyer: charm your opponent, get close, and then strike when they least expect it. Like a snake, coiled and ready to devour its prey.
I didn’t know what Caden’s endgame was, but it terrified me. And honestly, he terrified me. The dark prince of deception. Such an apt nickname.
Unease settled in the pit of my stomach, and I quickly excused myself from their conversation, mingling my way through the crowd.
As I wandered through the room, the music swelled, and almost everyone was dancing. I kept to the sidelines, content to observe. But then my line of sight landed on someone standing in the corner, all by himself.
Someone familiar.
Someone who still haunted my nightmares.
It felt as if the ground shifted beneath me. My breath hitched, and my heart started pounding in my chest as I struggled to process the sight of him. He shouldn’t be here. He couldn’t be here. And yet, there he was, standing casually among the crowd, like he belonged.
The memories came flooding back, raw and vicious, pulling me into that dark place again. My entire body froze as a primal fight-or-flight-or freeze instinct surged through me, making my muscles tense and my blood run cold.
How the hell was he here? Every nerve in my body screamed at me to run, to get away, but I couldn’t move. My legs felt like lead, my lungs like they were shrinking.
I stood rooted to the spot, the room fading into a blur around me, as if the world itself was spinning too fast. The past and present merged right then and there, and all I could think of was the last time I had seen him, how I’d escaped with my life by the thinnest margin.
And of the people who hadn’t.
"You okay?"
Caden’s question cut through the fog of fear clouding my mind, snapping me back to the present. I hadn’t even noticed him approach until he was right beside me, his presence grounding me, pulling me away from the brink of panic.
Without thinking, I grabbed his arm and pulled him onto the dance floor. Shock flashed across his face as he stumbled slightly.
"What the hell do you think you’re doing?" he hissed.
I leaned in closer, my lips brushing against the shell of his ear. "Do you see that man in the corner, the one in the brown vest?"
Caden’s demeanor changed at once. He narrowed his eyes as he turned me, fluid and sure, adjusting our movements so the man slipped into his peripheral view. His grip on my waist tightened.
“What about him?” he asked, voice low—quiet enough to disappear beneath the music—laced with dark suspicion.
"He was at the Spring Palace with the Radicals," I murmured, the words almost sticking in my throat. "When they attacked Cyclos with the Amplifier."
I felt the tautness ripple through Caden’s body. His muscles stiffened beneath my touch as the gravity of my words sank in.
"Are you sure?" he growled.