by K.N. Lee
“Listen,” Cecilia said, moving a step closer. She lowered her voice as if someone else was listening in. “We sent Olivia out to kill Harrington Prince.”
Cailyn’s face turned ashen. That was the last thing she expected to hear.
“She was successful...”
“But, Harrington died from a spider bite.”
“Yes. He did.”
Cailyn’s brows furrowed. “I don’t understand.”
“Olivia is a shifter. A Spider shifter.”
It seemed that everyone had a secret. What was next?
“Go on,” Cailyn said, her legs feeling weak. “Please.”
“We thought that killing Harrington would end the war between our families.”
“How could you do such a thing?”
“We do what we have to. We are Alexanders, and no one threatens us,” she said, slamming her wine glass into her desk, shattering the glass into a hundred pieces.
Cecilia’s face reddened. Her chin tensed. Cailyn was stunned by the hardness of her mother’s voice. She watched her mother raise her hand, blood dripping onto the mahogany wood. Within seconds, the gash in her palm closed seamlessly, until her skin was smooth once again.
“You’re not a child anymore,” Cecilia proclaimed. “I’ve done all I can, but it’s time you step up and do your part. For Huntley...before it’s too late. He has less than two days left in his curse.”
She came from behind her writing desk and knelt before Cailyn’s feet. Her eyes filled with tears. Cailyn hadn’t seen such tenderness from her mother in ages. Seeing her so vulnerable saddened her. She held back tears of her own and caressed her mother’s head, running her hand through her soft blond locks.
Such sadness tugged at her heart.
Cailyn was afraid to ask the question, but she had no choice. Her chances of leaving Haven Cove were slipping from her fingers with each moment that she lingered in that office.
“What do you need me to do?”
Coming to her feet, Cecilia tucked her hair behind her ears. Her hands clutched into fists. “Go to Connor Prince.”
“What does Connor have to do with this? How can going after Connor save Huntley.”
And so it’s revealed. What was Connor’s deal?
Cecilia turned to the window and spoke to the storm. “He cursed your brother and gave him an ultimatum.”
“What ultimatum?”
“Connor will let Huntley’s body deteriorate from the curse...unless Huntley kills himself or gives you over to him. What he really wants is you.”
Cailyn shot to her feet. “You want me to freaking give myself to him? What the hell does that even mean?” Cailyn was livid. Her heart rate kicked up speed, just thinking of Connor’s nerve.
“Yes. That’s exactly what you must do.”
Cailyn’s jaw dropped. She shook her head, appalled. Cailyn hadn’t cursed since she was a child and her father told her that ladies did not let filth come out of their mouths.
“Fucking unbelievable,” she said, grinding her teeth. Through tears, she glared at her mother. “I’m engaged. Did you know that? Do you know what this whole mess will ruin everything?”
Cecilia didn’t skip a beat.
“I’m sorry, Cailyn. But none of that matters right now. If we do not keep the truce, war will rage between the clans.”
She sniffled, her heart breaking every time her mother opened her mouth. She knew the importance of keeping the peace between the clans, but all she could see was Asher’s sweet face smiling at her when he proposed.
Broken, she pushed that image aside. Cecilia was right.
This was life or death.
“I told you not to fall for the Fox boy”
“Don’t go there,” Cailyn said, shaking her head.
Cecilia sighed. “I’m sorry, Dear.”
“What does this all mean?”
“It means we no longer have any options. You have to go to him by morning or the clans will sense we aren’t upholding the truce. Can you imagine what would happen if the wizard families went to war? We would all suffer.”
“I can’t believe it all falls on me. Its not fair.”
“Life is rarely fair.”
“Why are still upholding this ancient tradition,” she said. “I am not a slave, or a prize. How can father promise me to another, without even asking me?”
“Because, he knew the importance of keeping the peace. And, bringing our two families together will do just that. Now, will you be a good girl and do this for me?”
Cailyn wiped tears away. She gazed past her mother, and out the window.
What choice did she have?
“Fine,” she said.
“Good girl.”
Cailyn closed her eyes, her entire world crashing down around her. Somehow, she would find a way out of this. Still, she knew one thing; Asher will never forgive me for this.
Chapter 16
She knew she wouldn’t be able to do this without losing her composure. She stood in the living room of Asher’s condo, her engagement ring in her hand.
In between sniffles she tried to speak.
“I can’t,” she said.
Asher stared at the ring in her hand, his eyes confused.
His face turned ashen. He swallowed. “What’s going on?”
Cailyn shook her head. She had to do this quickly. The way his voice wavered threatened to send her into hysterics.
Be strong.
“I can’t accept this, Asher. I was wrong to lead you on, but it’s really not going to work.”
Asher ran his hand through his hair.
Pain shot into her gut when she saw his hands shaking.
I can’t do this. It’s too hard.
“What? Where is this coming from?”
She shook her head and sat the ring on his counter when he wouldn’t accept it.
Her heart thumped in her chest.
Cailyn couldn’t be engaged for this plan. Her family depended on her.
Asher didn’t back down. Instead, he caught her in his arms when she turned to walk out, wrapping them around her thin body.
“Come now. Explain yourself. Did your mother make you do this?”
Yes. She did, she thought. But it was more than that. He deserved better than she could give him. He deserved a normal girl without baggage—someone who hadn’t been sold off like cattle.
The tenderness of his voice broke her heart even more. She buried her face in his chest. How did she let herself do this? Her heart would never forgive. She doubted that she would ever forgive herself.
He held her tight as if savoring her scent and presence. “I love you, Cailyn. Don’t leave me.”
She drew in a breath. She pulled back and grabbed his face in her hands. She had one chance to do this and she needed to do it quickly before she lost the strength and resolve.
The look in his eyes, full of sorrow and love, made her pause.
She sniffled and closed her eyes. She couldn’t look at him like that. It killed her. She’d never felt physical pain from a broken heart. She didn’t think it was possible.
She took in a deep breath, opened her eyes, and faced him full on.
She lowered her voice. “I can’t love you, Asher. Not right now.”
Asher reached for her hand on his face and pulled it away. He stepped backward.
“What the hell are you talking about, Cailyn?”
“Just forget me,” she said and ran out the door, too afraid to look back. “It’s better that way. Forget I ever existed. I wish I didn’t right now.”
Chapter 17
Cailyn lowered her eyes the moment Connor Prince walked down the main black stairway of the mansion he’d purchased.
Her bags were packed and stacked at the door as she waited to find out exactly what Connor had in store for her.
He was one of the most attractive men she’d ever seen, but she hated him. Wearing a black suit and expensive black shoes, he was the man who could ruin her chanc
e at happiness.
His bright green eyes brightened when he saw her face.
“Cailyn,” he called. His voice echoed off the walls.
She looked up, her hands shaking. She gripped her purse strap to steady them. “Connor.”
Amusement came to his face as he reached the bottom of the staircase. The butler didn’t betray any emotion on his face as he stood at her side, just inside the foyer.
“Lovely.” His reached an arm out for her.
Cailyn stared at his arm, wishing she had an ax to chop it right off.
His charming grin at the reluctant expression on her face only angered her more.
“Come now. Let’s have a little chat. Walk with me to the sun room.”
“Fine,” she said. She stepped to him and laced her arm through his. He stood a foot taller than her, and beneath his suit she could feel his hard muscles.
“But I want to know what your expectations are for me.”
He placed his hand over hers, surprising her by its warmth. She’d half expected his hand to be frigid.
“Of course. It’s only natural that you’d want an explanation.”
Cailyn had expected a bit of resistance, not the gentle kindness he displayed at that moment.
Hesitant, she nodded. “Good.”
They walked through the first floor toward the back of the mansion. Her insides were in a bunch, but the beauty of his home still overwhelmed her.
For a home so large, it was bright and airy. The scent of fresh cut flowers and berries tantalized her senses.
The heels of her boots made soft tapping on the exquisitely painted wood floors as they crossed hundreds of square feet to get from one end of the mansion to the other.
They went through two dining rooms, an elegant sitting area, a long hallway, and a ballroom before reaching the French doors that led to the sunroom at the back of the house.
“You came at the perfect time, Cailyn.”
“Why is that?”
“Because I’m hosting this year’s Halloween party, and I want you by my side.”
“A party?”
“Yes. It’s a big tradition here. Isn’t it?”
She nodded.
“Well, the mayor wants it held here. It will be part tradition and also a way to welcome me back to town. Of course, there will be all of the pomp and circumstance fit for a king.”
Connor put his hand on the small of Cailyn’s back. “And his queen.”
She tensed at feeling his hand on her body as he led her into the room.
She stepped away from him, his hand slipped down her bottom. A glance caught him smirking before folding his hands before him.
Inside the sunroom were some of the most beautiful flowers Cailyn had ever seen in one place. Lush greenery and vibrant colors mixed to create a sight worthy of being immortalized in a painting. Caged birds chirped and sang from their perches, making the room feel like a fascinating exhibit at a zoo.
“Fit for a king, huh? You really think highly of yourself,” Cailyn said.
“Why shouldn’t I? Do you not feel the same about yourself?”
Cailyn stopped and faced him. “No. I really don’t think I’m better than anyone else.”
He nodded, dropping his hands to his sides as he took a step toward her.
Cailyn didn’t back down. She tightened her jaw as she glared up at him, her chest pressed against his abdomen. Cailyn didn’t flinch; she wanted him to know exactly how she felt about the entire arrangement.
The green in his eyes was especially ethereal in the bright sunlight. She didn’t like how enchanting they were, and yet she couldn’t bring herself to look away.
“I sense you don’t want to be here.”
He lowered his voice as he spoke to her, the smell of mint escaping with each elegantly spoken word. The thickness of his accent was incredibly sexy, but she refused to let her expression betray her.
Cailyn swallowed.
“I want you to understand something, Cailyn. I know you probably think I’m a terrible person for coming here to claim what our fathers arranged. I’m not sure if that makes me an awful person, but I know the importance of keeping the peace. Aside from that, I find you mesmerizing. It won’t be hard to fall in love with you, and I can only hope you can do the same with me.”
Cailyn was surprised by his words. She pursed her lips, and searched his eyes.
“You may think I’m just an overprivileged Scot without any morals, but the mayor is actually honoring me because not only did I donate enough money to build a second elementary school, but I funded the cancer research center at the hospital.”
Her face softened. “You did?”
“Yes,” he said. He looked past her, his smile fading. “My mother died of cancer. I know that her chances were faint, but I want to do what I can to help others survive her fate.”
Cailyn swallowed, her resolve faltering further. Her shoulders lost their hardness, her face relaxing from her frown.
She wanted to hate him, but he was making it hard. She kept her face blank.
“I still don’t know what you want from me.”
They walked over to a small table next to the floor to ceiling windows.
“Sit.”
She sat in the brass chair that he held out for her. She folded her hands in her lap and watched as two servers walked over with trays of food and a bottle of red wine.
Her stomach grumbled as she looked at the tray of roasted potatoes, vegetables, and steak.
“I hope you’re hungry,” he said, as the servers put white cloths over their laps.
“Answer my question.”
He raised a brow and smirked.
“Fine.” He sipped his wine.
She watched him, folding her legs.
“It’s simple, Cailyn. The remaining dragon clans are enjoying the longest stretch of peace they’ve ever had. We can keep it going.” He leaned across the table, reaching for her hand.
Cailyn didn’t know what to do. She felt awkward holding her hand to him, but she needed to know his motives. The last thing she wanted was to upset him.
“I like you,” he said, stroking her knuckles.
The sincerity in his eyes startled her. She hadn’t expected that. She found herself unable to look away from his beautiful green eyes. Seeing him up that close revealed hazel around the center. The longer she looked, the more she could actually see the magic inside of him.
“What I want from you is simple.”
Cailyn held her breath when he kissed the back of her hand.
“I just want you to give me a chance at winning your heart.”
Chapter 18
Her first week with Connor went by quickly. He stayed busy making arrangements, and she spent her time focusing on her studies, learning about the other clans, and doing anything she could to force Asher out of her mind.
One evening, they were dropped off at the front door of a restaurant.
Cailyn trembled as her eyes scanned their surroundings. She knew that if she saw Asher that she would lose her composure. She prayed that she’d never have to look him in the eyes again, and see the pain that she put there.
Under the chauffeur’s umbrella, they walked to the awning of Terrace Café.
Haven Cove felt different with Connor at her side. Like a stranger, Cailyn walked side by side with the man that had nearly destroyed her family, the one that had ruined her chance for happiness with Asher.
Still, when they entered the restaurant, something was different.
She couldn’t quite place what it was, but the room didn’t turn cold at her appearance. Instead of dirty looks, glares, and quizzical stares, everyone looked to Connor with curiosity and adoration.
Cailyn gave him a sidelong glance.
With Connor at her side, the people of Haven Cove had also changed.
Was this some form of dragon magic she hadn’t learned about? Did he charm the entire town?
“We have a table set for you, M
r. Prince,” the host said, motioning for the two of them to follow him.
Cailyn pulled held her clutch before her as she stepped through the new bistro in a black cocktail dress. She was thankful that Connor had her wardrobe shipped to the mansion. It seemed that everything was cause for formal dress.
Cailyn sat in the circular booth at the back of the restaurant. It was private and cozy.
When Connor sat next to her, she couldn’t help but notice the way he looked at her exposed thighs.
“You look nice,” he said, accepting his menu. “Not that you don’t always.”
Cailyn forced a smile. “Thank you,” she said, looking down at the menu.
“Get whatever you like,” he said.
“I already know what I want.”
“Do you now?”
Cailyn nodded, closing her menu.
“Good,” he said, giving her thigh a squeeze. “I already have what I want.”
She swallowed, looking into his eyes. The heat his hand sent through her body was unwanted, but undeniable.
“Here’s a little sparkling water to start you off. Can I get you a cocktail or glass of wine?”
Unable to break her gaze with Connor, Cailyn never turned to the waiter.
“The strongest red wine you have,” Cailyn said.
Connor cracked a grin, smoothing her thigh with his soft palm. He took his hand away, leaving her cold.
He’s messing with me, she thought. He has to be using magic. I cannot melt like a desperate school girl whenever he looks at me or touches me.
She shivered and lifted her glass of water to her lips the second the waiter was done pouring from the glass jug.
“I’ll have a whiskey,” Connor said.
“Very well,” the waiter said. “I’ll be back for your orders.”
Cailyn drank her entire glass of water before setting it back down on the white tablecloth.
The wine and whiskey were brought to their table by another server. Cailyn took a hearty sip, wincing at the bitter flavor of the rich cabernet. Connor swished his whiskey around in his glass before taking a sip.
“Do you like your new room?”