Chapter 27 #2
"Well, well," he said, extending a hand toward me. "How lovely to see you again. And at The Palace, no less. It's been far too long." I stared at him, confusion washing over me.
"I'm sorry, but I've never been here before. You must be mistaking me for someone else." A flicker of something, amusement? surprise?, crossed his face.
"Is that so? How interesting. Then I don't believe we've been properly introduced," he said. Sylvia sighed, the sound heavy with resignation.
"Cade, this is my father, Dominic Blake. Father, this is Cadence Turner, the Covenant Consort." Dominic Blake. The name struck a chord of recognition, though I couldn't place why. Had Logan or Cole mentioned him? Had Ryder? Blake's eyes gleamed with interest.
"The Covenant Consort. How... fitting." He gestured around us. “And welcome to my Palace.” He reached out again and took my hand, kissing the back with a slight bow, the touch sending a shiver of repulsion through me.
“Your Palace?” I asked without even thinking. I pulled my hand back as soon as I thought it was polite enough to.
“Yes, I'm the owner, this little piece of heaven belongs to me.”
"Oh, well, it's beautiful," I said, the words automatic and hollow.
"Beauty often conceals the most fascinating secrets," Blake replied, his gaze never leaving my face. He leant slightly closer, as if to share a confidence. "Perhaps we could-"
"Cadence, there you are." I nearly sagged with relief at the sound of James Killingham's voice. He approached our group with measured steps, impeccably dressed in a tuxedo that probably cost more than my entire education.
"Mr Killingham," I greeted him, unable to keep the relief from my voice.
Despite his connection to the Trivium, he had been one of the few people to show me any kindness since my arrival at Regents, helping me secure the "no sex" clause in my contract after Logan had tried to use it against me, even if the Regents had found ways around it, I was still grateful to him and at least felt like I had one person on my side at the time.
"You look absolutely beautiful tonight," Killingham said, his smile warm but his eyes calculating. "How are things at Covenant House? I trust the situation has... improved?" I felt a flush creep up my neck, remembering our last conversation, after my punishment, when I'd been at my lowest.
"Much better, thank you."
"Things are going wonderfully," Ryder's voice cut in as he materialised at my side, sliding an arm possessively around my waist. "Cadence has adjusted beautifully to her role.
" He pulled me closer, his body heat seeping through the thin silk of my dress.
"Haven't you, Poison?" I forced a smile, playing my part.
"Of course." There was an unmistakable tension in the group, especially between Ryder and Killingham.
Luce cleared her throat.
"Cade, I need to use the bathroom. Come with me?
" I nodded, grateful for the escape. "Excuse us, gentlemen.
" As we walked away, I heard Blake say something to Ryder about "keeping her close," but I couldn't make out Ryder's response.
The weight of Blake's gaze followed us across the room, making my skin crawl.
"Thank you," I whispered to Luce once we were out of earshot. "That was getting uncomfortable."
"I could tell," Luce said, guiding me toward the ladies' room. "Dominic Blake gives me the creeps. Always has." I nodded in agreement, still shocked that he was Silvia’s father.
The bathroom was as opulent as the rest of The Palace, marble countertops, gold fixtures, plush velvet seating, and fresh flowers. A uniformed attendant offered towels and an array of perfumes and lotions. We declined politely and retreated to a quiet corner.
"Any sign of Knotty yet?" I asked, keeping my voice low. Luce shook her head.
"Not that I've seen. But there are so many people here, Cade. It's hard to keep track." I sighed, disappointment settling heavy in my chest. I'd been so sure tonight would bring answers about my mother. Every lead seemed to dissolve into more questions, more dead ends.
"We'll keep looking," Luce promised, squeezing my hand. "The night is young." I nodded, trying to hold on to hope.
"I just... I need to know, Luce. Who she was. Why she left. If she is even alive." I swallowed hard. Luce's expression softened.
"Oh, Cade." She pulled me into a gentle hug, careful not to wrinkle our dresses or smudge our makeup. "We'll find out. I promise."
We spent a few minutes touching up our makeup and gathering our composure before heading back out into the fray. The ballroom was even more crowded now, the air thick with perfume, cologne, and the heady scent of wealth and power.
"I'll keep an eye out for Knotty," Luce said as we emerged from the bathroom.
"Let's circle the room once more." I nodded, scanning the crowd for Logan, Ryder, or Cole.
I spotted Logan still deep in conversation with Aaron Purcell and Mr Kaserwick, his posture relaxed but his eyes alert. Ryder was nowhere to be seen.
And then I saw Cole.
He stood against a wall, his back pressed to the ornate wallpaper as if trying to disappear into it.
His face was ashen, his eyes wide with something close to panic.
A woman stood in front of him, so close they were almost touching.
From what I could see, she was beautiful in a cold, polished way, blonde hair swept into an elegant updo, a sleek silver gown that hugged her curves, diamonds glittering at her throat and wrists.
Cole looked sick, trapped. The woman leant in closer, and he flinched away as her hand came to rest on his chest. I remembered Logan's words: "We're presenting a united front tonight.
" And more than that, I couldn't bear to see Cole so distressed.
Whatever history he had with this woman, it clearly wasn't pleasant.
"I'll be right back," I told Luce, already moving toward Cole.
As I approached, I caught snippets of the woman's words, her voice low and intimate.
"... been so long, darling. You’ve grown into such a strapping young man.
I would love to spend some intimate time with you.
For old times' sake." Who the fuck was this woman?
I was momentarily surprised at the apparent rush of jealousy that rushed through me.
Cole's eyes met mine over the woman's shoulder, widening in alarm.
He gave a subtle shake of his head, a warning to stay away.
But I was already too close. The woman noticed Cole's attention shift and turned to see what had caught his eye.
As she did, I got my first clear look at her face.
And my world stopped.
Older, yes. Different hair colour, different style.
But the same blue eyes, my eyes. The same nose, the same curve of the jaw.
I couldn't breathe, couldn't speak, couldn't move.
The room spun around me, faces blurring, voices fading to a distant buzz.
All I could see was her, the woman who had abandoned me, who had left me with nothing but questions and a hole in my heart that had never healed.
"Mum?" The word escaped me as a whisper, broken and disbelieving. Her lips curved into a smile that didn't reach her eyes.
"Hello, Cadence. It's been a long time."