Total pages in book: 134
Estimated words: 127026 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 635(@200wpm)___ 508(@250wpm)___ 423(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 127026 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 635(@200wpm)___ 508(@250wpm)___ 423(@300wpm)
Darby looked between her and Hadrian in alarm. “But you’re with him.”
“I am.”
Hadrian wrapped an arm around Clover’s waist and pulled her close. “And she intends to continue to be with me.”
“Then, why are you saying this?”
“Because … I’d like to be with you too. However I can be.”
“I don’t understand,” Darby whispered.
“I think you do,” Hadrian said.
“But … we cannot all be together,” she said, her voice pitched high.
“Why not?” Clover asked. “What rule says that we cannot?”
“Hadrian wouldn’t want that.”
“I want Clover to be happy.” Hadrian kissed her once on the temple. “I do not think her feelings for me waver just because her heart also yearns for you.”
Darby shook her head and took a step back. “This is … this is too much. I can’t …”
“Think on it,” Clover said. “You don’t have to make any decisions today. I understand that you’re still going to get married. I was wrong to push you to make choices. I want us all to be happy.”
“If that means that at least we can all still be friends, be here for Kerrigan,” Hadrian reminded them both, “then I think that has value.”
“I can be here for Kerrigan,” Darby said willingly. “The rest … I … I think I need more time.”
“I understand,” Clover said.
Though she wanted nothing more than to taste her honeyed lips and make Darby her own. She’d known Darby wouldn’t say yes. She knew it wouldn’t be that easy. But … she hadn’t exactly said no either.
That was more than she had expected.
More than she had hoped for.
18
THE HOUSE OF CRUSE
The party officially began at midnight. Granted, it was less party and more a meeting for her eighteenth name day. She and Kivrin had decided that the fewer who knew about this little soiree, the better.
Kerrigan stood alone at her father’s desk in the study at the House of Cruse Row mansion. A stack of paperwork rested before her. The official documents she would need to sign to hand the entire House over to her. She still couldn’t believe that it was happening. That she had agreed to this. As ridiculous as it was to bestow the head of household to an eighteen-year-old, it was worse, knowing that so many would detest her ascension to this position because she was half-Fae.
She would officially be the lady of the house. It was a responsibility that she had never envisioned for herself. In fact, she had shunned the very idea of rejoining Bryonica. And now, she was here, right where she had started.
“What is this about, Kivrin?” a voice asked, carrying down the hallway.
“I’ll explain when we’re all together,” Kivrin said. “This way.”
Kerrigan took a deep breath and straightened her skirts as she waited for her friends and family to join her. This was happening whether she liked it or not. She might as well take it head-on, as she did with everything else.
Helly entered first, appropriately dressed in a stiff Bryonican navy dress. Her eyes were calculating as she took in the sight before her eyes. “Kerrigan, what is going on?”
“Please take a seat.”
Kivrin nodded his approval as he entered next, and then her friends followed—Clover, Hadrian, and Darby.
She had been worried about inviting the three of them to something so intimate. They hadn’t been around each other since Darby had discovered the true nature of Hadrian and Clover’s relationship. She had expected there to be wary glances and uncomfortable silences, but it was as if they had gone back in time.
Something had changed. They all seemed fine around each other. None of the awkwardness that had been there at the last Season event. Maybe it wasn’t precisely the same, but Darby didn’t shy away from them. Clover’s eyes lingered longer on Darby’s features. Hadrian seemed pleased.
Well, good for them.
“Thank you for coming,” Kerrigan said warmly. “Please take your seats.”
The party sat before the large desk, and Kivrin took the chair behind it. Only Kerrigan remained standing. She was dressed in Bryonican navy silk that draped across her figure like a sheath. The material fluttered gracefully to the ground with a modest neckline, especially for her. The House of Cruse brooch her father had given her was attached to the front of the dress.
“Shall I take the floor?” Kivrin asked.
“I’ll start.” Kerrigan took a breath. “Today is my name day. Well, midnight tonight.”
“But I thought it wasn’t for weeks,” Hadrian interjected.
“So did I. However, my father apparently lied about my birth announcement.”
“Whatever for, Kivrin?” Helly asked.
“I was trying to keep her safe,” he said, as if that explained everything.
“Regardless, my official name day is tonight. I will turn eighteen and be considered an adult. Which means that there are certain rights that can be bestowed upon me.”
“You can’t be.” Helly sat up straighter. Her head swiveled between Kerrigan and Kivrin, as if she couldn’t believe what was being said. Her voice laced in shock, she said, “Kivrin?”