Page 95 of Reign of Betrayal

“I know. Nothing’s decided yet.” I glance back toward Kylo, who stands with Lilyana, Reign, and Elm, making them laugh—no doubt with his usual charm.

“I’ll see what I can do,” I mutter, though my attention is already drifting back to Reign.

The ballroom is packed with the king’s closest subservient subjects. Trying to ignore all the curious eyes glancing my way, I down another glass of wine that Kylo hands me, watching Lilyana and Elm spin around the dance floor. My fingers reach for the blade strapped to my thigh, a comforting reminder of who I am and where I come from. Lilyana tried to convince me to leave it behind but eventually gave up with a laugh.

Kylo extends his hand, a playful grin lighting up his face. “Come on! Let’s show them how it’s done!” His energy is infectious, and I can’t help but love his carefree spirit. Taking his hand, I let him lead me to the dance floor, and soon, we’re dancing and laughing, the tension slowly slipping away.

Even as I try to lose myself in the moment, I can feel Lukene’s gaze. His presence is magnetic, tugging at me like a force of nature. There is a pull to my dark prince. Like a cat chasing a mouse, I can’t escape it. I don’t want to escape him.

He is sitting at the table with James, talking. The handsome, formidable dark prince is wearing his usual black attire, a shadow incarnate. He keeps his attention on me like I’m the only one in the kingdom for him. I can’t help but wonder why he left his bed so early yesterday and hasn’t seen me since. I wonder if I did something wrong.

Eventually, Kylo, Elm, Lilyana, and I regroup at the side of the dance floor, laughing and catching our breath. When we realize we need more wine, I offer to grab it, making my way to a table loaded with glasses of sweet blackberry wine—Lilyana’s favorite, and mine too.

While walking over, Cora steps into my path, forcing me to halt. I can’t help but roll my eyes.

“Reign, I heard what happened to your bedchamber. I’m so sorry about that,” she says, her voice dripping with insincerity. “What a shame that beautiful silver dress was torn to shreds.” Her smile is smug, and my stomach clenches. Only a few of us knew what happened to that dress—Sasha discarded it in front of me. Cora must have been the one who trashed my room.

“It’s fine. I wasn’t that attached to it,” I reply coolly. “This dress suits me better anyway. Lukene picked it out himself.” I spin in place, showing off the gown, knowing the dig will sting.

Her smile turns sinister. “Cherish that dress because I doubt he’ll ever do that again.”

“Oh, and why is that?” I flick my curls over my shoulder, heat flushing my cheeks.

“You didn’t hear?” Cora’s voice drips with triumph. “Prince Lukene and I are engaged to be wed.”

Engaged to be wed.

Engaged to be wed.

Engaged to be wed.

The words echo in my mind, shattering me. Is that why he’s been avoiding me? My vision blurs, and I struggle to breathe, the weight of her words crushing me.

Pushing past her, I bolt toward the balcony, needing air. I barely register her mocking call. “I hope you can make the wedding!” Her voice fades as I burst through the doors. Leaning over the balcony railing, I gasp for breath. The cold autumn wind bites at my skin, but it does nothing to cool the rolling rage simmering beneath the surface.

Once I catch my breath, I extend my hands over the railing of the balcony. Pulling my power into my palm, I let my flame ignite. It burns hot and bright, fueled by my emotions. My pain turns to anger. The more I let myself feel—the angrier I get and the brighter it blazes.

“I take it you just found out?” James’s voice startles me, and I quickly extinguish the flame. He steps onto the balcony beside me.

“You all knew?” I demand, my voice defensive.

“We only just found out, as did the prince,” he says calmly.

“She did that to my room. She practically admitted it.” I extend my hand again, summoning another flame, this one even fiercer. The fire taunts me, urging me toward vengeance as I stare into the burning red and orange hues.

James’s voice is stern. “I know that look. Clear your head of those thoughts. No good will come from them.”

“She deserves it!” I snap, the flame dancing dangerously in my palm.

“When seeking vengeance in the name of justice, one risks crossing the line into darkness,” he warns.

I turn to face him slowly, the words echoing painfully familiar. They were the exact words the blood wielder I poisoned said to me.

“Come… Give this old man the honor of a dance.” James smiles as he holds out his arm. I hesitate for a brief moment, thinking of how he and the blood wielder could have said the same thing to me in such a short period of time. It can’t be a coincidence, can it? Shaking off the thought, I grab the crook of his arm, and he leads us back inside. I grab a glass of wine as we pass a waiter, downing it while James waits patiently.

We step onto the dance floor, and the weight of my situation presses down on me, suffocating me. As we move to the melancholy tune, I notice Prince Lukene dancing with Cora. His eyes lock onto mine, and I quickly look away. He is betrothed now, no longer mine. Was he ever really mine?

“He’s a prince. His life isn’t his own. He has a duty to his kingdom and takes orders from the King and Vanna,” James explains calmly.

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