Page 28 of Pieces of Halves

There are stars in her eyes as she gives me a lazy smile. My heart twists and turns with pure and ecstatic joy.

Mother’s Death.

Chapter Eleven

ISABELLA

he walk towards the castle gates is peaceful and quiet. The afternoon sun is pleasant, streets busy with merchants selling everything from spices to rugs. Strolling next to Jacob, my hand brushes against his and heat travels from my hand and into my core.

Just a single touch reminds me of the way his fingers held mine while he made me feel the most incredible things. His tongue against my skin felt like heaven when he pressed my fingers against my nub. The tone of his voice was everything I needed to drown in bliss.

It was terrifying at first. I worried that my monsters would squash the yearning I have for him – the desire to be free –andforce me to refract. He moved slowly though, giving me time to adjust, and magical shivers ran through me.

Ever since that beautiful moment we shared, my heart flutters every time he looks at me. My fingers itch to lock with his. Biting the inside of my cheek, I brush my fingers against his palm and slide them through his. His head tilts to look down at me with a playful smile, melting me with his gaze.

Am I a fool for giving my heart to him so easily?It doesn’t matter. With him, I don’t feel like I am suffocating.

A guard walks us through the halls of King Adiran’s castle, his hands on the spear. I expected the castle to be more lavish, like my father’s, or even more so, but it is simple. The woodwork and brick are elegant, and the stone is smooth and shiny. A few walls have some gold and silver decorations that spread around with intricate shapes. I like it; it gives me a sense of respect and confidence.

Jacob walks next to me with his shoulders straight and head held high. My palms, on the other hand, are sweating. King Adrian is a dangerous man who has a strong dislike for vampires.

Our steps echo in the massive open space. I try to focus on the elegance of the white statues we pass, instead of the possibility that King Adrian could choose to kill me. Jacob said that Rosie is his childhood friend, and King Adrian would do anything she asks of him. I would like to believe that, but the deeper we enter, the more my fear grows.

“I already told you, all Rosie needs to do is just look at him, and he will melt into a puddle. Trust me,” Jacob whispers into my ear and presses his hand on the small of my back. “It is actually amusing to watch.” He chuckles in a hushed tone.

“Jacob!” A female voice, full of pure joy, yells.

I turn to the sound. A stunning, short woman runs towards us. For a moment, I stare at her. Her curves are something out of a painting – luscious and soft. The way her black hair messily sits in a bun makes her appear like a delicate flower. Her wide smile is the definition of happiness.

Her body collides with Jacob’s, and he embraces her, lifting her off her feet and spinning her in the air. His body a few steps away from mine, I feel exposed and alone. My chest aches at the way he holds her.

Childhood friends. I remind myself.

“Look at you!” He takes a step back and locks his eyes on her face, a bright grin on his. “A queen and a princess in the Underworld.”

Jealousy claws at my heart. I hate it. My mind forces me to feel small and insignificant. Inhaling, I focus on the way he held me last night.

He cares about me.I ball my hands into fists to chase away the thoughts.

“Stop it.” Rosie giggles.

I want to hate her laugh, but it is soothing and disarming.

You are nothing to him. Just a distraction. The small voices snicker in my head.

A tall man with black hair and piercing blue eyes saunters to us casually, his glance falling on me. King Adrain. My body shaking at his flat expression, I take a step back. He quickly turns his attention to Rosie and Jacob, his lips twisting with disgust. Then he looks at me again – assessing.

“This is Izzy.” Jacob’s arm wraps around my waist and tugs me toward Rosie.

At his touch, I can breathe again. Rosie looks at me, her eyes such a deep brown that it is mesmerizing. She smiles – a pure, genuine smile that makes my heart ping. Unsure how to greet her properly, I bow with Jacob still holding me. The woman bolts towards me and squeezes me in her arms. Freezing on the spot, I don’t know what to do. Even though it feels as if she has knocked all of the air out of my lungs, her touch is soft.

“Such a pleasure!” she exclaims, pulling away from me.

“A vampire and an angel. Interesting,” King Adrian says, his voice calm as he looks at me. Fear grips my chest at how quickly he figured me out. “Angels, they love too easily. That was Cassandra’s downfall.” There is still no emotion on his face as he speaks.

Cassandra?I tilt my head with my brows together. I do not know anyone by that name.

“Of course, Victor would not let his pet project know that he made her mother fall in love with him, deliver him a child, and then kill her,” he says bitterly.

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