Page 111 of Fake Fae-Ancée

Kai

Exactly twenty-three very chaotichours later I stood in the dark hallway of the building that had once been my home, and a very confused and very pregnant looking Lily opened the door to me.

"Whoa, what are you doing here?"

"Well…" I scratched the back of my neck. "Looks like I lost my keys. Would you mind letting me in upstairs?"

"Is that Kai?" Claudio’s voice droned from somewhere in the apartment. I could picture him on the couch, watching football or something. I shot Lily an imploring look, shaking my head. I just couldn’t have him interrogate me right now. Just couldn’t explain. All I wanted right now was to crash in my own bed and sleep for a week.

Lily raised her eyebrows, but gave me a tentative nod in return, before turning and shouting back: "No, just one of the neighbors. I’ll be right back!"

"Okay!"

Snatching the spare key, she slipped outside and shut the door.

"What happened?" she whispered as we made our way upstairs to what was now Gabe’s and Charly’s apartment.

"Long story." I shrugged.

"Where is Yuri?" asked Lily.

"He is now the King of Bears." Saying it out loud made my throat go tight.

"Excuse me?" Lily shot me a confused look.

"Just as I said, it’s a long story."

Lily stopped, grabbing my hand. "Where’s your ring?"

I shrugged again. "I had to give it back, I guess."

The look she gave me hurt even more. The one thing I didn’t need right now: more pity. I’ve had enough pitiful looks off Yuri’s family. Kostya had shot me the same knowing look when he had done me the favor and driven me to the airport.

"I am so sorry, Kai," Lily whispered, stroking my arm.

"Don’t be." I wrapped my arms around myself. "It was a long shot, anyway."

Lily let me into my former apartment, then gave me a long hug that crushed my soul some more, before returning to her home on the first floor, and promising me to not tell Claudio I was here for at least twenty-four hours.

Thank God, Charly and Gabe weren’t home as well, so I wouldn’t have to tell my sob story to anyone tonight.

When I took a shower, the hot water pounding down on my aching shoulders, I stared at my finger where that darned ring used to glimmer back at me.

I was finally divorced. I even had my Fae-Powers back. Or at least, they would gradually return, as far as Baba suspected.

Yuri, my ex-husband from hell, was no longer part of my life. He was back to his world. With Yegor dead, and witnesses who saw them fight, King Yuri Alexejewic Kalinin had officially returned to his throne. Yli-Pekkala Baba’s plan had worked like a charm.

He would never bug me again. Never interfere with my work again. He would never, ever annoy me with that smug grin of his.

It was better this way. Really. He would have to find another bride though, now that Anastasia was on the run with Nox. A rogue assassin and a princess — what a story.

Yuri would find someone else. Someone he’d deserve. Someone who could actually give him heirs and secure his line.

When I went into my old room, my stuff was gone of course, but my bed was still there. Someone had even put on fresh sheets and my favorite eye-watering pink bedding. I sniffled when I found a fresh pair of pajamas underneath the pillow.

It would break my heart all over again to leave my friends as well. But right now, all I wanted was sleep. I could disappear tomorrow. So I slid in the pajamas and underneath the blanket and went out cold the second my face touched the pillow.

Kai

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