Page 125 of This Dark Descent
Talyana’s hand seized hers. “Think about it, Kira.” Her eyes flitted over Mikira’s shoulder, and she pulled back.
Mikira turned just as Reid broke free of the crowd. He looked from her to Talyana and back again, scowling, but forced himself to bow to the princess.
“Mikira, I need to talk to you,” he said.
“What about?” Mikira snapped. “I’m a little busy.”
“It’s—”
“For me.” Damien stepped from the crowd, his expression set in its usual implacable mask. “Your Highness, could I borrow Miss Rusel for a moment?”
“What for?” Talyana asked, but Damien didn’t spare her a glance.
Princess Eshlin frowned just the slightest. It was her reaction that set Mikira on edge. “By all means, Lord Adair. But I’d like to see her again before the night is through.”
“Of course.” Damien bowed, then offered Mikira his hand. She sought Reid, whose panicked expression told her everything.
Damien knew.
“Mikira.” Talyana sounded nervous, but Mikira didn’t look at her. She forced herself to take Damien’s hand. He led her out onto the dance floor, where the latest set had begun. His hand was cold against her waist as they took their positions, his movements stiff and sharp.
“Listen very carefully,” he said in the cool, objective tone of a blade. The music struck up and the dance began. “We’re going to make a new deal.”
“Damien—” She cut off as his gaze snapped to her. There was nothing there of the boy who’d smiled at her earlier that day.
“I am going to keep your winnings.” He guided her through the first turn. “I will distribute them to you in a monthly salary. In exchange, the information you know about me stays with you. You will not testify. You will not tell a soul. If you do, I will take more than your funds from you. Rezek is not the only one who knows your father’s secret.”
Her breathing came quick and shallow. Once, she’d wondered what it would take to get under his skin. Now she wished she didn’t know.
“You can handle your father’s release yourself.” He spun her, bringing her back in a sharp motion. “Do we understand each other?”
She nodded.
“Good.” He spun her once more, but this time he released her hand, allowing her to turn to the edge of the crowd. When she turned back, he was already gone.
Mikira stared at the spot he’d occupied, her heart thudding painfully in her chest. He hadn’t even given her the chance to explain herself, to tell him how it had really happened.
He wouldn’t care.For all she knew, Reid had already told him, and Damien had dismissed him.
This, too, is your fault, she thought to herself.
What had happened to Ailene and Iri—they were because ofher, and her choices. She’d been so angry, so convinced the world owed her something, that she’d made decisions that once would have revolted her. She’d lied, and she’d cheated, and she’d thrown her lot in with the nobility whose power had crushed her family for years, all because she’d thought that for once, the rules should bend in her favor.
This was what came of playing a game of kings.
Yet Mikira could not bring herself to regret all of it. Bending the rules had seen her safely through the Illinir, won her father’s freedom and enough money to save the ranch and pay for Ailene’s medical bills, and brought her closer to people than she ever thought she’d be again. Her father’s unyielding trust in what was right over what was necessary would never have allowed for that. But just as his rigid beliefs were impractical, neither was the answer to become like the very people she despised.
This was what happened when she let her uncertainty rule her. It was time she started trusting herself. If she didn’t, the indecision would burrow beneath her skin and spread like rot. Her fear would rule her, as cruel and vicious as Rezek ever could be.
She was done allowing it to.
Lifting her head, Mikira cut through the crowd toward Princess Eshlin’stable. She wasn’t the same girl Rezek Kelbra had forced to her knees. She was Mikira Rusel, the youngest winner of the Illinir in history and the best enchant breeder in Enderlain.
If Damien Adair wanted to make her his enemy, then his enemy she would be.
CHAPTER 48
ARIELLE
