Page 50 of The Alien's Vicious Starflash Manor

Kila inhales deeply, and then lets out a huge sigh as she rolls her eyes. “I guess I can try to forgive you.”

“Thank you,” I say, trying to sound as grateful and humble as I possibly can.

Switching back into her usual cheerful mood as quickly as only a raya can, Kila flits over to land on my shoulder, where she takes a seat. “Good. Now, I have to tell you all the latest gossip.”

“Oh, my God.” Izzy finally speaks, never taking her eyes off of Kila. “Even with everything that’s happened, I wasn’t sure I believed you. But it’s true. You’ve spent the last year hanging out with a fucking fairy.”

“We prefer the termraya,” Kila says primly.

“Right. Raya,” Izzy agrees absently. “You’re beautiful.”

Kila preens under the attention. “Thank you. You’re pretty, too, for a Big.”

“The latest gossip?” I prompt her, though part of me dreads finding out who else might have died in Ivrael’s schemes while we were away. “What’s going on downstairs?”

Across the table, Ivrael’s shoulders tense slightly at my question. Interesting.

“Well,” Kila starts, settling more comfortably on my shoulder, “Ramira’s been absolutely unbearable since the fire. Strutting around like she’s the new head housekeeper just because she survived when Oriana didn’t.”

“Of course she has,” I say.

Kila pauses dramatically. “But Adefina put her in her place yesterday. Told her if she didn’t start actually doing some work instead of just ordering everyone else around, she’d find herself relegated to scrubbing pots.”

A snicker escapes me before I can stop it. I can perfectly picture Adefina’s no-nonsense expression, the way she’d plant her hands on her hips and stare Ramira down.

“Did she really?” Izzy asks, leaning forward with interest. She’s still staring at Kila like she can’t quite believe what she’s seeing. “What happened next?”

“Ramira turned this interesting shade of blue, like that”—Kila points at the wallpaper—“and stomped off to her room. But this morning she was actually seen dusting the library.”

“Miracles do happen,” I murmur, reaching for another piece of bread even as my mind spins with how surreal this all is—sitting at the formal dining table with Ivrael instead of serving him, my sister beside me, Kila perched on my shoulder gossiping like nothing has changed.

Except everything has changed.

I catch Ivrael watching me with that intense gaze that makes my skin prickle with awareness. Golden sparks dance in the depths of eyes, and heat floods my cheeks as I remember how his lips felt against mine.

But then I remember his plans to use us as a way to take the throne, and my stomach twists.

“Enough about Ramira,” Kila announces, wings buzzing with excitement. “Wait until you hear what Fintan did...”

I let her chatter wash over me, cherishing this moment of normalcy even as I know it can’t last.

Between Kila's stories and Izzy's wonder, I could almost believe we're just having a normal meal. But normal died the day Ivrael bought me in the Trasqo Market. For now, though, I let myself enjoy this moment of peace.

After all, in the Icecaix lands, peace—like everything else—shatters all too easily.

CHAPTER 14

IVRAEL

Iam the first to notice when Izzy winces, her hand flying to her temple. At the motion, Lara’s attention instantly switches to her sister.

“Are you okay?” Lara reaches for Izzy.

“Just a headache,” Izzy mumbles, but her fingers press harder against her temple, and she leans into Lara’s light touch.

“Allow me.” Power thrums through me as I study Izzy’s face. Her skin has gone pale—not Icecaix pale, but the sickly pallor of pain.

Or perhaps...

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