Page 78 of Ruling Destiny

I shoot another glance at Killian, and when he finally lifts his chin and his eyes square on mine, they are filled with apology, along with a glint of something else I can’t easily identify. Then I lift my shoulders and reluctantly nod my consent. Because while my heart is in pieces, my brain has worked hard for this moment, so that’s where I focus.

I’m heading for the launchpad when Arthur calls, “Oh, and Natasha—”

With my heart ripped to shreds and the anger only just beginning to fade from my cheeks, I turn toward him, wondering what he could possibly say that would make up for any of this.

The lines around his mouth deepen. His obsidian gaze glints hard on mine. “I believe in you,” he says.

A moment passes between us before I nod, press my hands together in thanks.

And as I turn back toward the launchpad where Killian waits, my head swirls with the question:But do I still believe in you?

45

“I don’t think you’ve ever been so happy to see me,” Killian says.

“Don’t,” I snap, barely able to control my anger. “Don’t make jokes. Don’t even talk to me.”

“Fair enough.” He nods. “But first, can you tell me how long I’m to take this vow of silence?”

“For the duration.” I glare.

He scratches his chin and squints until those swimming-pool eyes practically vanish. “That might be a bit hard to pull off,” he says.

“Well, give it your best shot.” I bite off the words, aware that I’m being unfair, but at this point, I’m too angry to care.

“Look—” He bends toward me. “While I won’t pretend that I’m sorry this happened, I take none of the credit. I got a message on my slab telling me to meet Arthur here, and the rest unfolded from there. None of this is on me.”

“All I heard was the first part,” I say.

“Then you are seriously overestimating me if you think I wield that sort of power around here. Though I am flattered.”

“Don’t be.”

Killian regards me for a long, uncomfortable beat. “I get that you’re mad,” he says. “I get that you probably had fanciful visions of you and your boy swooning around in Renaissance times. I get that—in your eyes, anyway—I am one sorry replacement and probably the last person you ever wanted to Trip with. But I’m hoping you can at least try to find a way to get through this, because the whole point of us traveling together is we’re supposed to make people believe we’re a couple.”

“Couples fight,” I say. “We just happen to be one that fights all the time.”

Killian is about to reply when Roxanne appears by our side. Looking so pristine and efficient with her trusty clipboard in hand, you’d never know she spent the previous night swigging champagne and burning up the dance floor.

“So,” she says. “I understand there’s been a change of plans. But you both look well rested and ready, so I’m sure you’ll find a way to move past the drama and get the job done.”

That last bit was for me. And I know this because her gaze fixes on mine when she speaks.

“Is there an envelope?” I rise onto my toes, trying to get a peek at whatever’s attached to her clipboard, but she drops it to her side before I can see.

“No envelope.” Her gaze is flat, her lips pulling into the world’s stingiest grin. “Though I’m told you already know you’re going to Renaissance Florence and exactly what Arthur expects once you arrive.”

Well, I know what not to expect—a magical night in Venice with Braxton.

I take a deep breath and nod.

Roxanne gives her own brisk nod and goes on. “Then I suppose there’s nothing left to say but safe travels.” That grin of hers pulls so wide and tight, I expect to see her lips crack and bleed. And I can’t help but wonder how I could’ve been so wrong about her. Just because she was nice the first time we met doesn’t mean she’s not working an agenda.

As Killian once said,Everyone on that rock should be on your radar.

But was he included in that?

Once Roxanne is gone, Killian leans toward me and says, “Shiv, will you look at me, please?”

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