Page 67 of The Never List
Memories flash through me of other uninvited hands, other unwanted touches, and I cringe. I wonder what Turner did when I didn’t meet him that night at midnight. I wonder if he’s read the royal post, seen the illustrations of my face paired with the Occuli’s stories about me. More than once, I’ve worried about him racing to the palace to reveal my identity to the kings, to the Legends, but he hasn’t. Or if he has, no action has been taken.
Apprehension tangles in my stomach, settling in a knot that is hard to breathe around. I force myself to workaround it. If the time comes, I’ll deal with it then. For now, I can only be thankful that Lumathyst is a large kingdom with countless enforcers who don’t have direct access to the royals.
I have to stay on the path I’ve started.
One that leads me straight to the kings in a few seconds.
“One last thing,” Mirren says, holding out a small vial of contraceptive tonic. I take it from her and quickly knock it back, then return the vial to her waiting hand.
“Good luck,” Mirren says as I step through the doors. “I’ll be here when you get back.”I flash her a smile, trying to express how comforting her words are. Mirren may be feisty and harsh on the best of days, but she’s been a constant in this new life I’m living, and I adore her for it.
I turn a corner and slow my steps at the sight of Kal waiting outside the golden elevator doors. He looks so striking at the end of the hall, his crimson-and-black suit cut to the perfection of his tall, powerful body. His dark hair is slicked back, showing off the chiseled features of his face.
It’s only a heartbeat before he looks at me, nearly fumbling the small box in his hand. His blue eyes go wide as I reach him, and he places his free hand over his heart as if he’s at a loss for words.
“I…” A smile makes up for the words he can’t find. “You’re stunning,” he says, pride and warmth and something else beaming from him—something I can’t put my finger on but can feel in my heart, feel down that connection that buzzes to life in his presence.
“You look edible yourself,” I say, and he laughs. We stand there a few moments, but he doesn’t reach for the elevator button. “I wanted to ask you,” I say, still feelingslightly foolish for this. “Will you come with me tomorrow? At least for the first day or two?”
Kal dips his head. “I’ll stay with you for however long you want.”
I sigh with relief, happy to have that matter settled. I know Axl and I will need alone time together, but at least for these first few days, I’ll have Kal’s support.
“I had something I wanted to ask you, too,” he says, eyes on the small box in his hand. “I wanted to see if you might wear this tonight.” He tilts his head back and forth. “Or at least accept it.”
My heart races as he cracks the lid on the box.
I gasp at the sight. An oval ruby the size of a robin’s egg sits inside a platinum band with whirling details that flank the top and bottom of the stone.
“Kal,” I say, reaching for the ring but pulling my fingers back at the last moment.
“It’s my token,” he hurries to explain. “From me to you, reflecting on our time together, and a promise for the future.”
My eyes flicker up to meet his, and I choke on a response. Mirren told me about the Choosings before mine. None of the Legends have offered their tokens before. None of the potentials had earned it or they’d never given the princes the chance, rejecting them as soon as they could.
Does this mean Kal truly trusts me? Or is he doing it because he’s desperate for a mate after six years of failed Choosings?
“You’re not expected tochooseme now,” he assures me, grounding me in the present, and I breathe a little easier. “Wearing this won’t mean as such,” he continues, “but itwill signal to anyone who sees it that you are mine, even if you haven’t declared that I am yours.”
I close my eyes as emotions claw up my throat, and I inwardly search through them. Longing, pride, warmth, and desire with a hint of fear. If I was a normal girl from Cedar and Silk with no hidden powers to speak of, I’d take this ring without a second thought. Kal has shown me nothing but kindness, understanding, and a hefty dose of passion these last few weeks. If I was a normal citizen of Lumathyst, I wouldn’t hesitate to snatch this ring right out of his hand.
And that’s who I need to be…who Iwantto be in this moment.
I open my eyes, smiling up at Kal. “I’d love to wear it,” I say, tears threatening the backs of my eyes.
Kal looses a breath, his smile infectious as he slips the ring out of the box and reaches for my right hand. He slips it on the ring finger there, and the fit is perfect. I marvel at the slight weight of the stone, at the significance it bears. I’ve never owned a piece of jewelry before, and here I’m drowning in options, but this? This is special, coveted. I’ve spent enough time with Kal that I decide to wear it proudly.
“I’ll never take it off,” I say, and he draws me in for a kiss.
But you may rip it off my finger once you figure out what I really am.
I silence the painful voice, losing myself in Kal’s lips.
“Are you ready?” he asks, breaking our kiss too soon.
I nod, and he pushes the button. The elevator doors glide open immediately.
Kal loops my arm through his, his eyes darting to me every few seconds before he chuckles to himself.
