Page 34 of Lake of Sapphire

Miles let out a long sigh before grabbing my arm and leading me behind a tree I was sure Yuri’s father paid a fortune for. Once we were alone, he turned to face me, positioning his body to block the view of the hot spring. Only inches apart now, he spoke softly, “Then don’t, Scottie. Don’t marry him. Don’t go.” He wiped away a single tear. His fingers were soft against my cheek, nothing like my own callused hands.

“You know I don’t get to decide. I don’t have a choice. None of us have a choice once the High Council declares our future,” I said as the tears continued to flow. He wiped more away before cupping my face with his hands.

“Please, Scottie. You must know how I feel about you. This is torture for me. Please don’t marry him.”

“What are you saying, Miles?” I blurted as I pried his hands away from my face and stepped back.

“If things were different, if you didn’t have to marry him, would you be with me?”

“Miles, if I didn’t have to marry him, I would be trying out for the guard and wouldn’t be able to take a husband.”

He let out a frustrated grunt. “Scottie, come on. You know what I’m trying to ask you. Would you be with me?”

“Miles, Vallie is my best friend, and you are her brother. I could never be with you.” I couldn’t believe what he was saying, what he was asking me. Some part of me guessed that he had feelings for me, but I never believed he would act upon them. I always thought they would be tucked away in a chest, buried deep in the ground, and never opened.

“I don’t care about anyone else. That’s not what I’m asking you. I’m asking you to think about just you and me. Forget about Vallie. Forget about everything.” He bent down, leaning forward so that his lips were inches from mine. I could feel his breath against my cheek. I could smell the alcohol lingering on his lips, giving him courage. “Kiss me, Scottie. Just once,” he breathed, his voice soft as he leaned forward, closing the small distance between us.

I jerked my knee up to meet his gut, and staggered out of his grasp.

“What are you doing?” I rasped. “You can’t. We can’t.” I couldn’t find the words to tell him that I didn’t—couldn’t—think of him like that. It didn’t matter that I was now engaged or that he was Vallie’s brother. I would never be with him. I could never be with anyone. I could never date someone in Tennebris. I tried to speak, to open my mouth to explain, but words left me.

Miles took a hesitant step toward me, still clutching his abdomen. “Scottie, please. Just this once. No one has to know.”

“No.” I didn’t look to see his reaction as I stormed away from him. I had to get out of there before he could say anything else. Before he could do anything else. He was my best friend’s twin. How could he think that was okay? Frustration rose up inside me, swirling around my chest like an angry storm brewing, ready to be let out. I sprinted toward the house, the crowd not seeming as daunting now. I wanted to get lost in it.

I didn’t mind when someone shoved another drink in my hand. I didn’t mind as I downed it. I didn’t want to think about what Miles just said or what almost just happened.

A few drinks later, my mind was warm and fuzzy again. The alcohol rushing through my veins making me loopy. I realized quickly that I already had a love-hate relationship with the liquid. I didn’t like feeling out of control. I couldn’t keep one thought straight in my head, but as a result, it made me forget about Miles. And the Prince. And the banquet. And every other worry I had.

This was why people drank. It made you forget about everything. It took away your nervousness, your fears, your worries, and just made you feel happy and free. Laughing. I was laughing.

I didn’t last very long inside and eventually found myself outside again. I leaned against the home’s outside brick to support myself as the ground started to sway.

An unsettling feeling washed over me, like eyes were locked on me. I looked up and saw a male was watching me from across the yard. His shaggy, blonde hair and green eyes stuck out against the crowd. He looked familiar, but I couldn’t pinpoint from where.

He crossed his arms over his lean build as his gaze was fixed solely on me. I didn’t think much of it. People had been staring nonstop since the banquet. And I definitely didn’t want to talk to another male tonight. I gave him a crude gesture, making it known that I knew he was staring. I thought he would turn away, but he just smiled and… kept staring.

I was about to march over to the blonde and give him a piece of my mind when a figure approached me from the side. I turned, expecting to see Miles again. “I’m sorry—” I started to say to him, but stopped when I realized who it was.

Kole.

He grabbed my wrist and dragged me across the lawn. “What are you doing? Let go of me.” I think I slurred, but I honestly wasn’t sure if I spoke the words at all. He kept dragging me along, forcing me to trip and stumble over my own feet as he walked twice as fast.

“Shut up,” he grumbled as he led me to the far corner of the yard, behind the same massive, secluded tree. The same tree Miles had taken me to earlier tonight. I decided that I now hated trees, at least this one in particular.

He threw me up against the trunk and pressed his body against mine, pinning me so I couldn’t move.

“What are you doing? Get off…” I tried to yell, but it came out more in a slurred mumble. He covered my mouth with his fingers before I could say anything else. His hands were too large for my face—only my eyes were left out of his grasp. Gold circles flowed up his arm as a wave of nausea came over me.No, no, no.

“Don’t scream, don’t fight. You aren’t allowed to leave my side until I say so,” he compelled. His voice came out lighter, softer, almost musical. I didn’t want to listen, but my brain, though dazed from the alcohol, was drawn to his compulsion.

I stopped fighting underneath his grip. My body went limp in his arms, waiting on the strings he held, waiting to obey.

“Good,” he smiled. “Now look at me.” My eyes moved on their own accord, darting up at him like shooting stars. His hips were still pressed against mine as he leaned his upper body back to peer down at me. I couldn’t make out his expression. Frustration, maybe. Confusion and anger definitely.

“I don’t know what game you are playing or what you’re trying to do. There is no fucking way someone like you is going to be the Queen. You’re nobody. You’re not even worthy of being an Advenian. You’re nothing but a nix. A mortal. A fucking human. You have no abilities, no fucking talent other than that pretty little face of yours. So tell me, how did you do it? Did you sleep your way to the top? Did you sleep with everyone on the whole fucking Council? What’s your secret?”

He was still compelling me. I was about to answer him, the compulsion running through my veins, working its way up to my mouth when I heard footsteps approaching.

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