Page 28 of Betrayed in the Dark
I roll my eyes and scoff. “Anyone who knows me knows pink is not on my color palette. I’m all about neutrals, gold, black—”
“Hi, Madeleine.”
I jump, placing a hand on my chest. Turning around, I find Cressida, the mastermind responsible for today’s festivities, standing behind me.Oh, fuck me.
Her long, platinum-blonde hair cascades over her shoulders, gliding across the pink fabric of her knee-length dress. Her brown, wide doe eyes only enhance the princess image she portrays. She’s petite, quiet, and normal—completely the opposite of her twin brother, that’s for damn sure.
“Do you not like it?” she asks softly, her eyes glistening. Shit, is she about to cry?
“Of course I do!” I quickly reply, catching Scarlett’s eye.
“It’s just so…beautiful,” Scarlett adds as she peers around, feigning awe.
I place my hand on Cressida’s shoulder. “I appreciate this, really.” Yeah, her brother is a goddamn asshole, but she doesn’t deserve the hatred I feel toward him.
“You’re sure? Because I can change things before anyone else arrives. Maybe I could—”
“Oh my God.” Alina approaches my other side, her deep brown eyes wide as she takes in this atrocity. “Who decorated this—”
“Cressida designed everything,” I swiftly interject. “Isn’t it lovely?”
Alina looks too stunned to speak, so I lightly elbow her in her side. “Ow… Oh yes. Yes! It’s just so…elegant.”
Cressida beams at the compliment, dabbing at her eyes. “I’m just so happy you’re marrying my brother. I wanted to help in any way I could.” Her pink glossed lips widen. “After all, we’ll be sisters soon enough.”
The floor feels like it just opened beneath me, sending my stomach free-falling.
I’ve always wanted a sister. Scarlett and Alina, my two best friends for as long as I can remember, have always been the closest I’ve had to sister figures in my life. But Cressida? Sheseems nice enough, but anyone who shared a womb with Alastor for nine months isn’t someone I can ever fully trust.
I muster a tight smile.
“Oh, I see the caterer sneaking out the back,” she says. “I need to catch him before he leaves! I’ll be right back!” She hurriedly strides after him in her six-inch heels, calling out his name.
I sigh. “She means well.”
Alina interlocks her arm through mine, pressing the side of our heads together. Her long brown strands blend with my black ones. “At least I spotted a chocolate fountain in the corner; we can totally ambush it later.”
I frown. “I’m not sure chocolate will lift my spirits right now.”
A gasp escapes Scarlett, and she abruptly places her hand on my forehead. “Oh my God, are you sick?”
I laugh, waving her hand away. But just as quickly, my smile fades.
Sick? No.
Depressed? Most definitely.
“Hello, ladies.”
The deep timbre of Eli’s voice rushes over me, sending a pleasant shiver down my spine.
“Eli, thank God you’re here.” Alina laughs as she adjusts her glasses. “Madeleine just told us she didn’t want chocolate. We think she might be sick.”
I roll my eyes, tugging my arm from Alina’s. “I’m not—”
The palm of Eli’s hand presses against my forehead, and my whole body stills as words escape me.He’s touching me.And yeah, it’s not in a sexy way since he’s merely checking my temperature, but his touch alone does something funny to me. Leaving me momentarily incoherent and disoriented. His brows furrow as he looks me over. A flush spreads across my skin, heat coursing through me.
“You’re a little warm,” he notes with concern in his tone. “Should I take you home?”
