Chapter 32 #2
“Even so … I wouldn’t know the first thing about being a queen,” I say quietly.
“Please.” He scoffs. “You handled those two trials like they’re nothing. Smashed every mirror in that maze without hesitation. Most people would have spent days trying to figure it out.”
I chuckle. “I pay attention.”
“Sometimes that’s all your partner needs—someone who sees the things we might miss.”
I can’t help but smile at how genuine his words are, but before we can continue our conversation, Aurora and Laia appear, flanking a rack full of glittery gowns.
I swallow hard.
“Stars,” Gideon mutters. “Are you trying to turn her into you?”
Aurora blinks at him. Her green eyes could cut him in half. “It’s not my fault I’m the only one with taste around here.”
Easy for her to say.
With that face and the hourglass figure, she could put on a rag and men would still throw themselves at her.
“I can’t wear those and walk around the Court,” I say, pointing at them. “And in case you haven’t noticed, it’s still autumn.”
“Beauty is pain.” She lifts her chin. “It could be a weapon, if you wear it well.”
Of course it could. Only Aurora would live her life by a quote like that.
“Let’s go. We have a lot to work on,” she says, glancing down my body, no doubt making mental notes of every single flaw I didn’t even know I had. “You can stay out here, Gideon. No males allowed.”
“Wouldn’t dream of it,” he replies. “Kieran would shred me into pieces, then bring me back, just to slowly shred me again.”
Aurora rolls her eyes like the mere mention of his name physically irritates her, then throws open my door and storms inside without so much as an invitation. Laia trails after her, awkwardly wheeling the rack.
“Let me help,” Gideon offers, politely taking it from her and steering it in himself.
I catch the glimpse of Laia’s pink cheeks as she drops her chin to hide a smile.
I raise an eyebrow behind them.
Oh, I do adore a secret love story between an apprentice and a loyal High Commander—so, please, let there be one.
He says goodbye and heads for the door—but not before giving Laia another irresistible smile as he pulls it shut behind him.
Okay, I’m invested.
“Where are all your clothes?” Aurora’s displeased voice snaps me out of my romantic side quest.
“At Kieran’s house.” I shrug. He finally had people move my things in the other day. “You’re welcome to look through the wardrobe.”
“Ugh, never mind. I was thinking of throwing them away anyway.”
“Then why’d you ask?” I throw both hands up.
She’s unbelievable.
And she doesn’t even bother to acknowledge me—just plucks a sequined maroon gown from the rack and shoves it into my arms. “Try this on.”
“And what occasion would I be wearing this for?”
Aurora’s expression doesn’t change when she says, “Tuesdays.”
“Right,” I murmur, blinking at her. “Perfect for a knife-throwing session or a stroll through the fish market.”
“Oh, dear,” Laia mutters, glancing between me and her boss like she’s about to witness two massive storms colliding. “Why don’t I help you with that, Cassandra?”
“Yeah, sounds good.” Before this turns into a cat fight.
“Oh, please. Can’t you dress by yourself now you’re Kieran’s mate?”
Fine, if a cat fight is what she wants …
“Well, who knows?” I tilt my head, blinking sweetly. “I figured as the future Queen of the Court I might get used to having a lady-in-waiting. Don’t you think?”
Laia swallows an invisible lump. Aurora’s jaw tightens, but she smooths a hand down her perfectly tailored dress like I didn’t just slap her on the face with those brutal words.
I am getting everything she wanted.
I know she hates that.
But I didn’t start this fight.
“That’s a lot of big talk coming from you,” she says quietly, her green eyes sharp with something bitter. “Especially from someone Kieran only took an interest in to spite his family. Tell me, Cassandra, are you sure this chosen mate thing was really chosen?”
“I beg your pardon?”
What the hell did she just say?
One confused look from me gives Aurora an edge. A slow, gleaming smile spreads across her beautiful face. She arches a brow, full of silent triumph.
“He still hasn’t told you, has he?”
“Told me what?”
Now she’s crossing her arms, fingers drumming against her bicep like she’s holding the winning hand.
She turns to Laia.
“Leave us, please.”
Poor, sweet Laia nearly sprints out of the room as fast as my heartbeat. As soon as the door shuts, Aurora drops into the armchair, legs crossed, completely at ease.
“You must be really na?ve to believe that Kieran fell stupidly in love with you on night one.” She scoffs, her grin deepening. My fingers slowly curl into fists. “Sure, maybe he did fall for you after, but why did you think he picked you? Why do you think he went to get you himself?”
“I don’t want to play a guessing game,” I grit out. “So just say it.”
Aurora’s eyes shimmer with cruel amusement. “You were bound to his brother at birth, Cassandra … the one who hasn’t fallen. The golden prince who can do no wrong—who could cause a war and still be cradled like a miracle child by the stars.”
I—what?
His what, now?
“Since you’re so desperate to become Queen, you’ll find out eventually …
but honestly, what do you think we do all of this for, huh?
” she asks, gesturing broadly like she’s addressing the whole Court.
“These trials. The feast. The jobs. The balls. All these temptations—they’re not just here to save the Fallen.
They’re here to prove that we shouldn’t be punished for you. ”
My blood runs cold.
“This whole damn Court was designed to expose your kind. To show the stars that humans are ruled by greed and lust. That every human who steps foot here can be corrupted. So why the hell should we suffer for your sins?” she adds, her voice bitter and hands shaking with fury.
“We’re at war, Cassandra. A war with the very Court we fell from.
” She leans forward, her voice dropping.
“And Kieran? He’s determined to win. To show them just how blinded humans are.
That’s why he took interest in you. Not because you’re special, but because if you fall …
his brother falls with you.” She pauses, her next words laced with poison. “You stupid, stupid human.”
I don’t—
Kieran’s brother? Bound to me?
This can’t be right.
Has all this … has everything been a lie?
But—
Kieran loves me.
He said he wanted forever.
Is it all just to spite his brother?
To prove a point?
Am I just a pawn? A weapon to stab his brother in the back with?
“Oh dear, look at you,” Aurora murmurs, shaking her head, lips curling into a smile. “That look is priceless. It hurts, doesn’t it? But what can I say … you fell in love with the devil. What did you expect?”
My brain can’t process any of it.
It refuses to comprehend.
I can’t move.
I can’t breathe.
My whole body is frozen, suspended in webs of lies I never saw coming.
And then—
The door slams open. It crashes into the wall with a force that rattles the floor.
Kieran stands in the doorway, his jaw clenched, fury burning in those storm-lit eyes.
His voice is a cold, lethal whisper as he turns to Aurora.
“Get the fuck out before I kill you.”