Page 159 of Diamond Kisses

Three a.m.

I lay beneath comfy silver blankets alone.

The novelty of being utterly by myself after six months of being surrounded by Masters and jewels left me oddly uncomfortable.

My skin prickled every time I heard a creak or a crack.

I couldn’t stop staring at the door, just waiting for Victor or one of the guards to come barrelling in.

Rachel told me what happened to Victor. How the jewels had left him in pieces, each sharing a role in his demise, but…I couldn’t quite trust that he was gone.

Just like I couldn’t believe Peter was dead.

It didn’t feel right.

He’d survived so much for so long. He’d seemed almost immortal to me.

And yet…whenever I asked Rachel if she was positive Peter died protecting me, she’d burst into tears and could only nod.

I glared at the useless phone in my hands. The brightness of the screen made my eyes ache. All the tears I couldn’t shed sat like a swamp in my chest. I wanted to grieve, but…I couldn’t let myself fall. Not while Henri was still out there. I didn’t think I’d survive mourning for Peter and all the others only to have to mourn him too.

I need you to come back.

Sniffing back the wet pressure within me, my fingers flew over the keyboard for the millionth time. I might not be at full strength yet, but I had enough energy to run to wherever he was in the world if only he told me where.

I texted him.

Adding to the long, one-sided conversation I’d already sent.

Please, Henri. If you get this…I’m okay. It’s Ily. I’m the one trying to ring you. I know you saw my heart stop, but I’m okay. Truly. Please pick up. Please come back. Don’t get yourself killed. I’ll be incredibly mad if you do.

Sighing, I clicked off the screen and tried to sleep.

* * * * *

Five a.m.

I couldn’t turn my mind off.

Climbing out of bed, I went to the window and looked at the pretty countryside blanketed in the dark. Stars twinkled. The same stars we’d looked at when Henri and I took our nightly strolls around the citadel’s gardens.

Are you looking at those same stars, Henri?

Sitting in the chair, I curled my legs up and texted him again.

Me again. It’s Ily. I know you have no reason to believe me. Knowing you, you probably think it’s your brother trying to get you to come back. But it’s truly me. Want me to prove it? You said I was your wife the moment I agreed to be your girlfriend. I said I didn’t want a diamond ring. That a piece of string would do. If you come back with a piece of string and tie it on my finger right now, I’ll marry you. This very moment. Just…please come back.

The door to my bedroom opened.

Every droplet of fear from living on that terrible island exploded through me. A cold sweat misted my skin. My breath caught. My heart tore through my ribs.

A man appeared.

A man who padded toward my empty bed and—

“Ily?”

Bone-breaking relief swamped my terror. I puddled into the chair, pressing a hand to my heart and feeling utterly stupid.

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