Page 53 of Enchanted Kisses
I reached inside but kept my eyes on Raysa. I was more interested in hearing about female Death Sentries. What they looked like. How they acted. Particularly, ones Caiden had been interested in or dated.
I tried for nonchalance. “So what do female sentries from the Realm of Death look like?” A mental image of raven-haired beauties dressed in black leather formed in my mind. I hoped I wasway off.
“You’ll find out tonight. One is living at the manor.”
When had that happened? My hand was still in the bag when Raysa reached inside and removed a pair of sparkly heels with lots of straps.
“To go with your dress.” She waggled the shoes in my stunned face. “What do you think?”
I took them, only to move them from my view. “How is that possible? I thought Death Sentries couldn’t go to the Realm of Life.”
Unless I was remembering the stories wrong, I thought spells were supposed to keep them from accessing each other’s realms.
“They can’t, unless they’ve been ordered there or have renounced their realm, like Caiden did. Still, they need his permission to stay on the property. Or mine, since I’ve been elected to be queen.”
“If Caiden’s helping the Death Sentry, then it’s a good thing. Right?” I was really asking if the Death Sentry was a good person.
“Not exactly. Being around another Death Sentry who’s defected can be overpowering, in a negative way.” Raysa sighed. “There’s no easy way to say this, but you need to know.”
I braced myself.
“The Death Sentry is Caiden’s ex-intended.”
“Intended?”
“Fiancée.” She paused, as if giving me a moment to find my breath. “Her name is Bianca. She showed up last night, seeking refuge. The fact that she was able to enter the manor grounds is proof that she has defected from the Realm of Death. But I, for obvious reasons, am wary to believe or trust her.”
I couldn’t speak. It was as if I’d been punched in the gut—no, the heart. Not once had I considered Caiden might have had a serious past relationship, let alone an ex-fiancée.
I forced words from my throat. “She’s there? Right now? With him?” No wonder I hadn’t seen or heard from him today. I tried to stay calm. “You should have told me this first.”
“I didn’t know how.” Her tone lightened. “But it’s not as bad as it sounds.”
I scoffed. “I doubt that.”
“He’s not helping her because he still cares, Lily. He feels responsible. Our kind rarely defects from their realm. He was the first to do it in centuries, and now he fears he started something that could become an epidemic. And from what I’ve heard, things didn’t end well between him and Bianca. Apparently, he’d begged to lead the quest to find you to get away from her. I imagine she’s heard about you, and I suspect it’s the real reason she’s there.”
My thoughts reeled. “Clearly, he doesn’t think so. He’s helping her. He allowed her to stay. And you did, too.” I couldn’t believe it. “Why?”
“Keep your friends close and your enemies closer. Until I know what’s really going on, it’s safer this way. I have people looking into it. If she’s telling the truth and not being manipulative with the facts, it’s better to have her on our side than pissed off and causing trouble. In time, perhaps she can be reformed.”
The thought of her staying at the Realm of Life made menotwant to join it. “Does Caiden trust her?” I stared at a small patch of the rug visible through the bags.
“I don’t think he knows what he feels right now. That’s why I need you there. Your presence alone makes him strong and keeps him in check. I’m counting on that.” She switched the black-and-white bag for a pink-striped one.
I ignored it. “What if I don’t want to be anywhere near him?” Like a balloon with a small hole, my heart was slowly deflating. Last night, Caiden had wanted to leave in a hurry. I wondered if he knew she was coming to his realm and wanted to be there. What if he still had feelings for her? And what did she look like?
I supposed it was good that I didn’t kiss him on the lips last night, but it was bad that I still wanted to.
“I know it won’t be easy,” Raysa said. “I’m not asking you to spend time with him. Only for you to be at the celebration. All right?” She nudged the bag until it touched my shins.
With my thoughts on Caiden, I absentmindedly reached past tissue paper and pulled out a plastic container. Inside the case was a white lily with green ribbon laced through diamond hoop earrings.
I could have made a funny comment like, “Very romantic of you, Rays,” or “You could have just asked me to be your date,” but I wasn’t in the mood.
“It’s from Caiden. For the celebration. I think he’s trying to bribe you to come. You see, he wants you there as much as I do.” Although Raysa smiled, it didn’t touch her eyes.
It was clear her hands were full, and what kind of friend would I be if I didn’t help?
