27. Burying the Bride Before the Wedding
Chapter 27
Burying the Bride Before the Wedding
CINDER
T he smile plastered on Charming's face is so forced that I'm surprised it hasn't cracked under the strain. Despite his amazing ability to hide it, I can see the anger simmering just beneath the surface.
It’s been there since I saw him bruised and battered, barely able to feed himself.
I play with the new engagement ring, an oversized planet made of opalescent diamonds, flanked by sapphires. Spinning it on my finger, I can’t help but think it suits me.
But the way Kai casually passed it to me to wear before this event made my stomach twist in uneasiness. As if it were an afterthought—as if I were some kind of obligation he was fulfilling.
The dark energy is a living demon shadowing him, haunting and digging at him. I see it because it hovers next to my demons—who hung out with me so long I decided to friend them. The skulls inked on my arms are some of my very best friends.
Doesn’t make it healthy, but I feel it makes the most of that darkness.
No one else notices, though. A few weeks ago, I might not have recognized it either. But I do now. I can’t miss it. It’s in his eyes, his posture, his very essence.
The pain and resentment within him are palpable.
Feelings I understand all too well. But I know how to shove those deep down into a lockbox before putting that in a different box and locking that one until I'm barely aware of what’s at the center of my nesting containers of feelings.
I don't know what happened to him earlier, but the bruises and cuts that marred his face spoke volumes. And his hands. Sweet witchtits, they were beyond mangled.
My heart broke at the sight of them.
Or was it the way he tried to put on that Charming persona and brush it off?
He can’t get anything past me. Not even that cock-and-bull story about a jealous boyfriend or husband kicking his ass.
Not that I doubt he’s pissed some people off in the past, but that isn’t the cause for that barely restrained violence I sense vibrating in him.
But now as we sweep through the ballroom arm in arm, he's the picture of a confident, proud prince showing off his bride-to-be. If only they knew the truth behind our little arrangement.
Though so far, I’ve gotten nowhere on my side of the bargain. I only grow more suspicious of the fairy court, of Kai’s father, of the darkness I know is swirling underneath this glittering fa?ade of Midnight.
Everywhere I look, the richness of the Midnight Kingdom is on full display, from the intricate ice sculptures to the dark, opulent tapestries with depictions of King Charming leading the realm into independence. The grand ballroom, bathed in cool, ethereal light, glows with hues of deep blues, velvety blacks, and rich purples.
Crystal chandeliers hang from the high, vaulted ceilings, casting a shimmering kaleidoscope of light across the polished marble floors. The air is cool, almost chilling, and carries the faint scent of night-blooming jasmine and ancient, cold stone.
The fairy court is in rare form tonight, their ignorance and disdain for humans on full display. I catch snippets of their inane questions, each one more ridiculous than the last.
While I tune it all out, Kaison is forced to answer for both of us.
“No, I'm not sure what you mean by the human musk being a potential issue,” he says in an airy voice. “I find my bride's natural scent utterly intoxicating.”
“I can't say I've given much thought to making burial arrangements for her just yet. My bride and I plan to have many joyous years ahead of us.”
“Watching her eat doesn't make me gag. Yes, I've seen her do it many times and have coped just fine.”
If this is what the court believes passes for polite conversation, I can’t imagine what they must say behind closed doors.
With each question, I push away further and further from where I am. My eyes find solace in the massive paintings my father created, in the archways that frame the exit to the carpet of lush green grass under a sparkling sky.
I want to be there now.
A wave of lightheadedness washes over me and I blink rapidly, trying to clear the spots from my vision. Between the stress of the ball, the lack of substantial food, and my ever-present anemia, my body is starting to rebel. I down iron pills dutifully, but it’s not enough.
Fuck, I hate this weakness. I’m determined not to let anyone notice I’m close to swaying on my feet.
Charming's hand flexes at his side, and I can tell he's struggling to maintain his composure. If I'm barely tolerating this, I can only imagine how he must feel, having to play nice with these priggish assholes.
There's been a distance between us since I helped feed him.
No, earlier than that.
Since he kissed me in the cemetery.
The memory of his lips on mine, the taste of his tongue, the way his body pressed against me—it's all seared into my brain, impossible to forget.
Prince Kaison Charming has bled for me. Has burned himself on my tongue piercing, and still kept in control to keep kissing me.
While I was scared shitless when he pinned me to the counter, a large part of me believed he wouldn’t do it. He wouldn't bite me.
He controlled himself when I cut myself. He protected me from that guy who assaulted me at the bar. And apparently, he’d been trying to protect me from those boys.
That realization caused a pinch in my heart that has yet to release.
I thought I was branded by his scathing look, marked by his hate and disgust, but I couldn’t have been more wrong.
Had the young, serious-face prince been trying to communicate a moment of solidarity?
Whoa, Nelly. I’m spiraling over here.
I can't let myself get carried away. This thing between us, whatever it is, can't be real. I'm just a means to an end for him, a way to piss off his father and thumb his nose at Midnight society.
Since the incident with the blood he’s not come close to touching me again, giving me all the space I’ve said I need. Even now. His hands are folded behind him in a royal posture. But a traitorous part of me wishes he would put his hand on my back or set my fingers at the crook of his arm. Anything to make me feel like I'm not just a pretty accessory.
What are you even saying, Cinder? You don’t want him to touch you. Especially not after he almost lost control.
“Won't she get dreadfully jealous of all your other. . .dalliances? Humans are so emotional about such things, or so I'm told.”
The question snaps me out of my thoughts, and I glance up to see Charming clear his throat. Several pairs of eyes bounce between us, searching for some kind of reaction. Some weak point they can needle into and then later wag their tongues.
Another rush of dizziness sways me slightly to the left. My gaze latches on the moving lips of the jerk speaking, but my vision swirls. Cotton might as well be stuffed in my head and ears, making it impossible to focus. Heaviness weighs my limbs down, but I stand my ground, refusing to fall.
“Now that I am an engaged prince, Cinder will not need to worry about me straying,” he says, his hand finally coming to rest on the small of my back.
I stiffen at the contact. Not because I dislike it, but because I hadn’t been prepared for it. As quickly as it's there, his touch is gone, leaving me strangely bereft.
The couple in front of us shares a knowing look, doubt and amusement plain on their faces.
“Come now, Your Highness. We all know your reputation. The playboy prince, always chasing the next thrill. This little experiment with a human bride is amusing, but let's not pretend it's anything more than another passing fancy, hm? You couldn’t commit to a woman any more than you could to anything else.”
I bristle at their words, the dismissive way they talk about me like I'm not even here. But before I can open my mouth to tell them exactly where they can shove their opinions, Lady Newcomb chimes in, her laughter grating on my last nerve.
“Indeed. A leopard can't change his spots, after all. It's only a matter of time before you tire of this novelty and return to your. . . usual pursuits.”
Her husband nods in agreement. “As fun of a circus show this marriage is, do not fear, we all know how it will end. Managing a kingdom requires more than charm and good looks. It requires a steadfastness that, frankly, your history does not demonstrate. You clearly lack any aptitude to handle the throne and deal with the complicated decisions that affect all of us so.”
I key into Kai enough to see the flinch. It’s barely perceptible, but the blow this Baron Von Douchebag threw hit its mark.
It’s one thing for them to think I’m unworthy scum, I’m used to it. But I'll be damned if I let these pompous windbags get away with talking to him like that.
“Oh, spare us your shitty, short-sided judgments,” I drawl, my voice dripping with disdain. “You think you've got His Highness all figured out? Please. He's not some two-dimensional caricature you can dismiss with a wave of your bejeweled hand. There's more to him than meets the eye, but I wouldn't expect you to understand that, considering how far your heads are shoved up your own asses.”
The group gapes at me, their shock and outrage almost comical. But I'm not done yet. The exertion of speaking up, coupled with my already weakened state, makes me sway dangerously. I grasp onto Kai's arm for support, trying to play it off as a casual gesture. Tremors vibrate through my hands, the telltale signs that my body is about to give out on me.
“Come on, darling,” I say, rolling the pet name on my tongue. “Let's find more champagne and drink away the pain of such tedious company.” I practically drag him away from the sputtering nobles.
Kai turns to me when we're finally out of earshot, his eyes searching mine with an intensity that steals my breath. Which is not good considering I need all the oxygen I can get right now.
“You stood up for me,” he murmurs, his voice rough with an emotion I can't quite name.
I shrug, trying to play it off as no big deal. “Don't read too much into it. I just can't stand pompous windbags who think they know everything. It's not like I actually give a damn about you or your reputation.”
But even as the words leave my lips, I know they're a lie. Because despite everything, despite the fact this is all just a charade, I do care. More than I should. More than I'm willing to admit, even to myself.
The lopsided curve of his lips says he knows I’m lying too.
Kai’s gaze lingers on mine, and for a moment, I swear I see a flicker of something real, something raw and honest and vulnerable. But then it's gone, replaced by that familiar mask of charm and bravado.
And I'm left wondering if I'll ever truly know the man beneath the crown or if he'll always be just out of reach, a beautiful illusion that's never quite within my grasp.
“So I’m guessing you’ve forgiven me then?” he asks.
“Forgiven you?” I repeat, bringing a fresh glass of champagne to my lips while sneaking a longing glance toward the outside terrace.
My grip on his arm tightens as another wave of dizziness hits me. I blink hard, trying to will away the black spots dancing in my vision. Not now, I plead silently. Just let me hold it together a little longer.
Catching where my attention is fixed, Kai takes my arm and leads me in the direction I desire. As soon as we are outside, I suck in what feels like my first real breath all night.
“For losing control,” he clarifies in a low, rough voice.
I lean heavily against the balcony railing, grateful for the support. My legs are jelly, my heart racing in my chest. I curse my stupid, traitorous body for failing me now when I need to keep my shit together.
“I—” Do I forgive him? Did I really think he would lose control? Everything he’s done of late has been to protect me. Something I’m wholly unused to.
Kai's cool hand brushes my cheek, his brow furrowing with concern. “You're paler than usual. Did you take your iron supplements today?”
I nod wearily. Something warm curls in my stomach at his concern. “'Yeah, but some days they barely take the edge off.”
“Psst,” a voice from off in the bushes calls.
We both snap to attention and turn to the sound. I catch sight of a lanky man emerging from the brush. He wears a loose beanie cap on his head, and loose clothes over his stick figure. The fangs give him away as a Midnight fairy.
Kai immediately tenses, checking the area to see if anyone notices the newcomer. “Jack, what are you doing here?”
The lanky vampire doesn’t even flinch at the hissed question. “I got the info you wanted.”
With that, Kai grabs me by the arm and leads me out of sight from the ballroom until we are in the shadows with this Jack guy.
“Tell me,” Kai orders, his grip tight on my arm, but I don't tell him to let go. I'm barely hanging on now, the world tilting dangerously around me. I cling to Kai, my fingers digging into his jacket, as I try to focus on Jack's words.
Jack side-eyes me with hesitance but speaks. “You were right, Charming.”
“What are you talking about?” I ask, a zip of heat goes through my blood as my attention sharpens.
Kaison nods to me. “Tell her.”
Jack hesitates but turns to face me. “Prince Kaison sent me on a mission to unearth proof if your father had been murdered. We found original notes from the medical examiner, and he covered up Byung-He’s true cause of death.”
My breath freezes in my chest. “What was it?”
Jack winces as he tells me. “Exsanguination.”
The shock and horror wash over me in waves, threatening to drown me in a sea of grief and anger.
A part of me wants to deny it, but the unbearable truth settles in my chest like a lead weight.
My father was drained of his blood. Someone fed on him and killed him.
“Cinder? Breathe.”
I vaguely hear Kai’s plea, but it’s muffled by the roar in my mind.
Part of me didn’t believe it. Didn't believe Kai’s claim. But now I have to accept the terrible fact that when I thought things were bad, they could still get worse.
My heart feels like a battlefield, torn between denial and acceptance. Part of me wants to believe it's all a twisted lie, but the other part knows that the truth is laid before me.
As the weight of realization crushes down on me, my world goes dark.