Page 42 of Enchanted Kisses
“Is it possible for you to rule together?” The question made me uneasy. I wanted to add, “Without being a couple?” but couldn’t. There was a lot about their world that I didn’t know. And even though Raysa and Caiden had never showed an attraction for each other, maybe ruling together would lead to one. The real question was, could I handle them being together?
When she faced me, her hair was twisted into a long, elaborate braid that hung over her shoulder. “It’s never been done. Not by two sentries with no desire to unite.”
Relief filled my heart, even if it was stupid. It’s not like Caiden and I had a future together. Was I attracted to the best friend who I developed feelings for? Yes. Was I attracted to his new physical appearance? How could I not be? But I didn’t know him like I thought I did.
Raysa strolled to my closet. “I almost forgot. Now that you know the truth, you should know you can’t lie. Not to another supernatural being. Humans are different. They’re not bound by the rules that constrain us. But since you’re half-goddess and know the truth, I assume they will apply to you now.”
“Okay, no lying. I can do that.” It didn’t seem like that big of a deal.
She smiled over her shoulder at me. “I’m impressed. I thought you’d be…I don’t know, on edge about it.”
“Why?” I stood.
“It’s harder than you think. You physically can’t tell a lie; your words will cut off. Think about it. Think about how honest you’ll have to be with Caiden.” She turned to the closet, pulled out a few fancy dresses—if you could call them that—and placed them so they hung outside the other clothes.
I picturedmyCaiden in my mind and the many times I’d confided feelings to him about my dad, my future, the loss of my mom…the list went on. “I think I’ll be okay. It’s not like I lie to Caiden anyway.” I joined Raysa at the closet.
She peered down at me. “What if he asks how you feel about him? What would you say?”
I shrugged. “I don’t know. I guess I’d tell him I wasn’t sure.”
Her smile stretched. “Then it must be true. If it weren’t, your words would have cut off mid-lie. It’s why sentries answer questions without really answering—a technique we learn early in life. It helps.”
“You’ll help me through all of this, right?” The weight of this new world and its rules suddenly felt like heavy bags of mulch on my shoulders.
“Of course I will.” She gave my arm a light squeeze. “Caiden will help, too. Though I’m not sure he’s the best company for you at the moment. Not until he works through his inner demons. But since you play a role in that, you can’t exactly stay away from him. And I know he doesn’t plan to stay away from you.”
“Actually, I don’t think that’s going to be a problem.” I plopped down on a furry green cube near my closet. “He told me to leave him alone after his grandfather… After I couldn’t save Alliston. For all I know, he blames me.”
“He’ll come around. He’s struggling. The darker side of him is resisting the changes he’s made. Transferring from one realm to another isn’t easy. He’s still working to sever his ties to the Realm of Death.”
“I don’t understand. I know sentries are bound to their realms by spells, but I thought leaving broke all ties.”
“The spells that bind our souls to our realms are hard to break. It can be done, but as a prince of his realm, his ties are stronger, deeper. Until you conjure your powers and begin to heal him, he relies on the healing energy from a piece of an enchanted stone in the Realm of Life. He wears it as a talisman around his neck. Its power is nothing compared to what you’ll be able to do. He believes you’re the answer to everything.”
My eyes bugged. “Seriously, Rays, I don’t think I have any powers. Look what happened to his grandfather.”
“Give it time.”
From the closet, she removed the only formal gown I owned. It was one I’d picked for my senior prom last year.
Raysa, Caiden, and I had planned to go together, but I’d backed out last minute. Dad hadn’t been feeling well that day and I didn’t want to leave him.
It would have been my first dance ever. I had just met Caiden. It had been his idea that we go, and when I told Raysa, she invited herself. To watch over me, I knew now, but at the time, I assumed she didn’t trust Caiden, which she didn’t. All of that seemed so trivial now.
“You’ll need something much more glamorous than this for the celebration.” She put the dress back and faced me. “Stand, please.”
I curled my upper lip in question.
She gestured for me to stand.
When I did, she lifted her hands as if holding an invisible tape measure and wrapped it around my waist.
“What are you doing?” I asked.
“Taking your measurements.” She fake-measured my bust. “I’m thinking something in blush with ruching, light sparkles, a full skirt, and strapless to show off your skin.”
“For what?” She wasn’t making any sense.
