Page 122 of Enchanted Kisses
Two more glasses of pink bubbly and four hands of poker later, I felt good—reallygood. Raysa threw down a straight, winning the last of my cupcakes, so I took off in search of more.
Most guests were dancing. A few had taken our lead by starting card games of their own. I weaved in and out of tables and found my way to a row of open French doors, leading inside the manor. The creamy yellow room beyond had a formal ambiance. Oversized gold furniture filled the large space and soft lighting cast a warm glow.
I stepped through one of the sets of doors and froze, half in, half out. My smile and good mood shriveled at the sight of Bianca and Caiden. He sat in a chair near the fireplace, Bianca nestled on his lap as he stroked his fingers through her glossy hair. Her head rested against his shoulder and her lips pressed against his neck, delivering a series of kisses.
I stumbled backward, my heart on the floor. The hem of my dress snagged on the door hinge. I yanked it up with a force that tore the hem and sent me toppling onto a table behind me. A vase of flowers fell over with a thud as lilies, roses, and water spilled to the floor. My face flushed with heat. I glanced around, hoping the incident wasn’t as loud as it had sounded to me.
Fortunately, the music was louder, and no one seemed to notice my embarrassing fumble. I glanced in the room to see if Caiden and Bianca had heard or seen me.
Caiden stood at the door with Bianca behind him, her arms around his waist, her chin resting on his shoulder. “Do you need help?” he asked.
I fumbled to push unruly curls from my face and straightened my spine. Sweat moistened my neck and back as nervous heat spread throughout my body.
“She’s fine, Caiden. Come.” Bianca pulled his jacket, turning him a little.
Look away, I ordered myself. But I couldn’t. Like a sick freak, I stared, wishing it were my arms around Caiden, my breath near his cheek. Would my draw to him ever subside? The desire to curl up in his arms and linger eternally, basking in his warmth and aromatic scent, was torture.
Unable to bear another second, I turned to leave. Chaos erupted with a blast that shook the ground. I stumbled and gripped the doorframe for balance. Stampeding feet and shrieking guests drew my gaze over my shoulder. A black swirling cloud spread out from the middle of the dance floor, covering everything in its path. The air turned frigid, and my muscles clenched from the dramatic change in temperature.
“He’s here for me,” Caiden and Bianca voiced in unison.
I looked at them both. They wore matching expressions of fear and worry, but neither ran away.
Before I knew what I was doing, I shoved the two of them into the room. “Get out of here. I’ll…cause a distraction or something.”
Caiden didn’t move. As if entranced, he stared at the five dark figures emerging from the ashy haze.
Bianca yanked his arm and tugged his jacket, but he wouldn’t budge.
Around us, people fled in different directions—many of them calling for Raysa.
I turned back to Caiden. “Go! What are you waiting for? Take him, Bianca.” I snarled. “Make him leave. Cross or whatever. Just get him out of here.” My hands waved frantically.
Caiden grabbed my wrist and glared down at me, the look in his eyes grave. “You have to go, too.” His words were quiet, but I heard them clear as a bell, even among the frenzied crowd.
Bianca jerked him away from me.
His fingers, still around my wrist, caused me to stumble forward as he was lurched backward.
“Leave her.” Bianca’s blue eyes pulsed with light and rage. She put her hand to his cheek and forced him to look at her. “You and me, we’re all that matters. Forget her. We have to keep each other safe.”
Caiden’s fingers slipped from my wrist the moment his eyes locked with Bianca’s. Then, he left with her, never looking back. I knew he wouldn’t, knew he’d forever choose Bianca over me.
The pain of that harsh reality nearly brought me to my knees, as if his action had severed the truss between us once and for all. My heart felt chilled, hard, and empty. My entire body shuddered with a wave of cold that permeated my bloodstream until every part of me was numb.
I understood now that my hope to befriend Caiden and rekindle our love was the unrealistic wish of a naïve young woman. On the floor, in a pile of purple tulle, I finally accepted it was over. Caiden and I would never be anything again, and I had no one to blame but myself. The world around me muted and my thoughts ceased. I was lost—deaf and unfeeling. I might as well have been dead.
I glanced around, but the motion felt slow and unnatural. Five tall, warrior-dressed males headed my way. The one in the middle, the leader it seemed, pointed at me. His eyes caught mine, and I couldn’t look away.
Brilliant and shimmering, their turquoise color was intense and familiar. Disheveled caramel hair, streaked with gold, fell to his broad shoulders. His skin glinted like treasure and his features portrayed an older version of Caiden.
“Take her.” His deep, forceful voice cut through my silent world. “I want Bianca dead and Caiden brought to me.”
My mind told me to run and hide, but my body refused to obey. Or maybe I didn’t care enough to try. Did it really matter where I ended up?
The King of Death was only a few steps from me when Laken plowed into him, sending him across the garden. In an instant, Laken stood in front of him and continued his attack. The king was fast, blocking and matching Laken’s every blow. A group of other Life Sentries attacked the four warriors sent to collect Caiden, Bianca, and me.
Suddenly, everything roared back to life. Crashing, screaming, and fighting flooded my ears. I covered them, cringing as static electricity crawled over my skin. Sparks and beams shot between the battling sentries. The loud noises and thrumming energy were too much. I had to get away.
