Chapter 11

Kaine took a deep, steadying breath before walking back into the event. He was trying his best to act as if everything was fine, but he couldn’t shake the uneasy feeling his revelation had left him with. From across the room his half-brother Jasper smirked as he called out “Everything okay, big brother? You seem… distracted.”

Kaine scowled at Jasper, but didn’t reply as he made his way back toward Bianca, who smiled reassuringly at him. “Is everything alright?” Bianca had seen Ember’s exit and was upset that Kaine had followed her but was trying not to let her jealousy show.

“It’s fine,” Kaine snapped, a little more harshly than he intended before fixing his tone. “Sorry yes, Ember looked like she was going to pass out. I didn’t want to upset you, so I went to check on her myself.”

Kaine took a deep breath before leading Bianca over to meet his father, and stepmother. Kaine had needed a few minutes to gather himself, before returning to the event and now, his father, the King, was looking at him with clear disapproval.

“You know that I don’t like to be kept waiting,” the King barked harshly at his son.

“I’m sorry Father, it will not happen again.” Kain replied, bowing his head, knowing that an excuse would be worthless to his father.

Bianca spent the rest of the gathering trying to re-engage Kain by impressing his family, but his distraction lingered. Refusing the ignored, she pulled Kaine aside, as the event ended and everyone else had left.

Bianca, smiled at Kaine excitedly and said “I need you to come by my room in thirty minutes. I have a special gift prepared for you,” before rushing off without receiving a response.

Thirty minutes later Kaine knocked on Bianca’s door unsure of what to expect. Bianca opened the door to reveal she had put on a lacy, blue teddy. She grabbed Kaine by the hands, and pulled him in, laughing.

She hoped that if she could get Kaine to sleep with her, everything would fall into place. Her Mark was fake, but no one would be able to question her if she was able to consummate their relationship. She quickly walked over to the bed, and sat down, only to find Kaine wandering toward the window and looking up, still distracted.

Bianca opened her mouth to speak, but Kaine beat her to it. “Are you and Ember close?” He asked, still staring out the window. Bianca sighed, thinking Ember must have been shit talking her to Kaine when they made their exit

“Well, we’re fraternal twins,” Bianca said, dancing around the question. Kaine turned briefly to look at her with a thoughtful expression on his face, before turning back to the window.

Embarrassed at Kaine’s lack of interest, Bianca turned to Kaine. “Would you like to come sit over here with me?” She asked, gesturing toward the bed.

Kaine regarded her for a moment before shaking his head, “I’m sorry Bianca I have to be up early tomorrow. It’s best if I go.” Kaine turned and left without another word, leaving Bianca furious.

Thirty minutes later, the Captain of the Guard caught Bianca exiting her room and made a beeline for her, ready to gain the approval of the future, Luna. Bianca, remembering his and Ember’s previous disagreements, smiled as he approached.

She lowered her voice, “Captain, I am worried about my sister. Ember is disgustingly ambitious for a female, and I fear she’s gunning for your position. It would disgrace my family to see her end up in that role.”

The Captain grinned, eager to put Ember in her place, “I have seen one subordinate acting a bit strangely. Perhaps he could help us.”

Ember

I groan as training comes to an end, my muscles sore and my mind exhausted. It feels like my body is rebelling against me and everything I do feels a little bit slower, a little bit weaker than before. I sigh knowing that the potion I had purchased from the apothecary was not doing its job properly.

The woman at the apothecary mentioned that they make a stronger version, but it is prohibitively expensive. I have already drained my bank account to buy the weaker potion and I know there is no way I’ll be able to afford anything stronger.

I head to my room, quickly to take a quick shower, and change before heading to my car. I finally have free time and the events of the last few days have been taking their toll so I decide to head to my favorite coffee shop to get some distance from the Palace.

When I arrive, I’m surprised to find my best friend Ella already seated inside. Despite my predicament, I can’t help the wide grin that spreads over my face at the sight of her. “Ella!” I can’t hide the excitement in my voice as I rush over and sit down in front of her.

“Ember! Wait… are you okay? You look like shit.”

I look at my best friend, deciding how much to say before settling on a half-truth, “I’m having a little bit of trouble financially. I need a quick way to make money.”

Ella frowns at me, concern etched across her face. “You’re not in trouble are you ‘Em?”

I let a sigh slip, feeling guilty about not being completely honest before continuing, “Not in the way that you mean, no.”

Ella squints at me before evidently deciding to let it go. “Hmm, well Callie works as a nanny for a couple of rich Mundanes. You would be surprised at how much she makes.”

She pauses thinking for a minute, before continuing. “You could also help out on the Oakleys’ farm. I’m sure with your strength they would pay you well.”

I think about it for a minute, but all of her suggestions will keep me away from my post for too long. “I appreciate it El, I don’t think any of those suggestions will work for my particular situation. I’ll figure something out.”

I’m about to say something else when Jake comes rushing into the cafe heading directly toward me. I look up at him. “How did you know I was here?”

Jake gestures for me to get up saying,” It doesn’t matter, Prince Kaine has requested your assistance immediately.”

I stand asking, “What is this about?”

“You’ll find out when you get there,” he. said shortly.

Jake leads me down the street on foot to a high-end boutique in the same neighborhood that only serves nobels. I have passed the shop a few times, but I never even imagined going in.

Jake turns to me and says “he’s waiting for you inside,” before striding away.

As I begin to walk through the door a well-dressed store attendant stops me, eyeing me up and down. “This store only serves nobles.”

I feel my face heat at the attendant’s accusing tone and hurry to explain, “I’m here to meet someone,” I explain, trying to sound confident.

The store attendant stares at me like I’m a piece of gum they found on the bottom of their shoes before rolling her eyes and saying, “If we let in every commoner who used that excuse, we wouldn’t be in business anymore.”

I stare at the attendant, unsure of how to proceed. The store attendant stares right back unwilling to move from the door to let me in when Prince Kaine walks over from inside the store. “Why are you still outside?” He asks.

I hide my grin as the color drains from the attendant's face and she stammers, “She’s…she’s your guest?”

Prince Kaine doesn’t even look at the attendant who scrambles out of the way to let me in. “Next time, just tell them my name. No one will dare to stop you.”