Chaos’ Heir (Chaotic Reign #1)

Chapter 1

Love

He’s coming back today.

Declan. He’s coming back…

It’s been four years. We have changed, but the simple thought of him still makes my heart skip a beat.

Declan’s mother was murdered four years ago.

Max Denfell, his father. He decided it wasn’t safe for Declan and Rian to stay in Cilinm.

They moved to Caltin, and Rian came back a year later, when it was safe.

Declan decided to finish his residency there.

It ended a couple of weeks ago. And just like he promised Rian, he’s coming back.

I’ve barely talked with him these past few years.

Declan has crazy shifts, and I didn’t want to intrude.

On top of that, my brother was a suspect in his mother’s murder.

So for three years we didn’t speak at all.

The rest of the time was happy birthday, happy new year, and merry Christmas.

It’s actually the first Christmas we’ll be spending together with the Denfells since the tension lifted.

“Hey, pretty girl,” Rian whispers in my ear and I nearly punch him.

“Sorry, reflexes,” I say laughing, “What’s up?” I ask him, and he smiles wickedly at me. I look at him confused. He just points at the door.

“You’re not supposed to be here until 7pm,” I explain surprised, walking in Declan’s direction.

“Does that mean I don’t get a special Love hug?

” Declan asks, our eyes meet. His eyes are still the most beautiful colour, midnight blue.

I rush towards him and wrap my arms around his waist. “Did you think you’d get rid of me that easily?

” Declan whispers in my ear, and a shiver goes down my spine. I punch him in the arm.

“I always knew it was difficult for psychopaths to let go of their target,” I say and smile at him.

“Careful, they aren’t known to be very patient either,” Declan warns and walks past me to the kitchen. “You changed the whole decoration,” Declan says, and Rian watches the scene unfold from the living room like we’re his favourite reality show.

“A lot has changed,” I declare and go towards the Oreo cookie’s cake dough in the making. And restart working on it. Declan stares at me. I look everywhere but at him. Which is difficult since I can feel his eyes burning through me. “What?” I finally find the courage to ask.

“I missed you. That will never change,” he says, and I feel my delusional side gain a little power. I crush it. He chose to be away for four years. He doesn’t get to have me anyway. Not even if I also want him, which I’m not sure of anymore.

Four years ago, we were starting to connect. For the first time in a romantic way. Now I just can’t. I can’t trust that he won’t run away again with the smallest misunderstanding. This wasn’t the first time he drifted away.

“We missed you too,” Rian speaks for me, and I notice I spaced out. I turn my focus back to the cake. “Want help with getting your things to your new room?” Rian asks, Declan glances at me.

“You two go, I have plenty to do,” I say, and Declan looks at me one more time before rushing outside.

I put the dough in the oven, thinking maybe it’s been too long, I mean, it’s Declan.

I think it’s always been Declan. But I met someone I might be neglecting for the scarce possibility that Declan may be the one.

When I have everything on the making, and the boys are outside with their father. I call the one I’ve been avoiding.

“Hey, Cherry, what’s up?” Dominik says concerned, almost as soon as I touch the call button.

“Hey, Dom. How are things going with your cousin?” I ask, trying to avoid the reason I called him. But still wanting to know, Christmas isn’t a happy time for Dominik. His father is dead, and he and his cousin just don’t get along.

“We’re keeping our distance,” Dominik says, and I sigh in relief. “Did you call me to ask about my cousin?” he questions, and I’m not sure what to say.

“Just wanted to make sure you’re ok-”

“He’s there, isn’t he?” Dominik asks, he may know I had a crush on him. He may suspect it’s more than that.

“Yes, he’s on the front porch with his father.-”

“I don’t need pity if that’s what you called for,” Dominik whispers, and I know I have to say something.

“No, that’s not it. I was just wondering if you still can get here with Damian by 8?” I whisper back as Declan and Rian walk inside.

“You sure?” Dominik replies, and I nod; only remembering it’s a voice call seconds later.

“Yes, you’re family come over,” I answer, “I need to go, see you later?” I ask, and Dominik says “Yes”.

“Was it Dominik?” Rian questions, and I nod.

“Yes, he and Damian can make it. Josh will be so happy,” I reply. Josh, my brother, is the reason I know Dominik and Damian. They’re friends of his and Rian.

“Sure, “Josh” will be,” Rian replies laughing. He’s the sunshine boy of our group.

“Who’s Dominik?” Declan asks Rian almost inaudibly, and I pretend I didn’t hear it. I check the time until the sweets are ready and walk outside as I hear a distinctive car parking outside. Josh’s sports car.

“Damian called, I thought they couldn’t make it,” Josh says with a small, rare curl on his lips, the closest to a smile he can provide to anyone.

“Turns out they can, Dominik just called me to ask if the offer for dinner was still up,” I say, omitting the truth from my brother.

Dominik and I had a deal. He’d only come if things were calm here.

Since Declan isn’t usually so easy-going or friendly with Rian or anybody else. I didn’t want to add extra tension.

“Josh made friends?” Declan asks from behind me. I shiver.

“Yes, so did Rian,” I answer, and Declan sits on the chair next to me on the porch. I put my hands in my pockets and walk to the porch’s railing, leaning my back against it.

“It was about time we made some allies,” Declan says, turning everything darker. Allies, not friends. Allies. That’s all Declan and Josh care about. Finding families outside of ours, we can connect with and benefit from their protection. It’s all about making and maintaining power.

“Where’s mom?” I ask Josh, trying to get away from this conversation.

“I don’t know. Try the living room. Dad’s car is in the back,” Josh says and joins Declan, hugging him briefly as they start to catch up.

I get out of there to give them some space and go back inside.

When I reach the living room, I can see my mom’s rose blonde hair and tall figure in our open-space dining room.

She’s behind the running glass doors that are half open.

“Make room for two more. Josh’s friends managed to make it, they’ll be here for dinner,” I say, and my mom smiles widely.

“Honey, go get dressed, I've got the kitchen.” I look at my mom and hug her from the side.

“Will you be ok?” I ask, and she assents.

“Yes, I left you a dress on your bed. Maya helped me pick it!” she exclaims excitedly, and I walk upstairs.

Mom likes to take photos of our family on rare occasions when we’re all together.

And she wants us dressed according to the festivity, Dad makes sure we’re also dressed to our status.

Knowing my cousin, the dress is more revealing than I’d like it to be.

I run upstairs, and when I see the dress, I look at it in awe. It is a beautiful, Christmas red slip dress with a fluffy stripe on the shoulders. I take off my clothes, video calling Maya when I’m dressed and putting on my soft makeup.

“Hi, Vee! You look beautiful. Let me see the full picture,” she screams in an excited, high-pitched tone. I get up, and she smiles. “I knew that dress would be fire on you”

“Thank you, and especially thank you for not making it see-through or something,” I reply laughing as I sit back down by the mirror to finish my cat eyeliner. “Oh, Damian is joining us by the way”

“No! Girl, tell me you’re lying,” Maya says blushing.

“You two just kissed, don’t be like that, he won’t even comment on it,” I assure her, but her face goes even redder.

“Stop talking or I’ll have a heart attack. He can’t comment on it, can he?” Maya asks and Sammy joins the call. I must’ve accidentally put it on our girl group, good thing it’s only the three of us.

“He won’t, he isn’t an asshole-”

“You literally don’t know him,” Maya says, and Sammy laughs.

“What are we talking about?” Sammy asks, and I laugh. “Or better, who?” Sammy asks.

“No one, don’t worry, Sammy. Declan’s here,” I inform after a few accidental minutes of not talking about it. Or maybe not.

“He’s there? Please don’t tell me you threw yourself at him”

“Not literally, but I did hug him,” I say, putting on my lipstick, the final step before setting.

“And?” Sammy asks.

“I think I’ll always like him,” I admit and someone walks down the hallway.

“But…?” Maya says. I smile nervously and Sammy opens her mouth in an ‘o’. I turn the volume down, expecting something I don’t want anyone to hear.

“Oh my god, don’t tell me you like someone else. Are you over Declan? Thank god, thought I’d have to beat him out of your system.” Sammy says and Maya covers her mouth, “Who’s it?”

“Is it Dominik?” Maya asks, and I shake my head.

“I’m not even sure what it is yet. Not a word or hints to anyone, especially not Rian,” I say and hear steps to my door. I turn off the video and lower the volume.

“Oh, Rian’s love blind, he’d never discover it-”

“That’s why you two can’t tell him,” I plead, and Maya seals her mouth with her fingers as a zip and lock, throwing the key away. Someone knocks on the door.

“One minute,” I scream and check my cherry blonde curls. Which are falling perfectly on my shoulders.

“Go ahead, my mouth is a tomb,” Sammy says, and I hang up the call. I smile when the door opens. It’s Declan. He’s wearing a tuxedo and his hair is slightly arranged, his midnight blue eyes fixated on me.

“Guests are here,” Declan says, and I look at the clock thirty minutes have passed since I called. They were near and already waiting for my call. Declan seems uncomfortable; I would be too. Everything has changed.