Page 22 of His Ruin
The crowd quiets, but I don’t stop. Not when my goal is just out of reach.
As Vincent spins Melody out of his hold, I catch her, replacing his hand at her waist with mine and intertwining our fingers as I glide her away from him with practiced steps.
Her beautiful eyes widen as she gasps. “Kaden? What are you doing?”
I don’t answer her as we dance. I spin her around the ballroom, enraptured by her smooth movements. It’s like she’s on ice, fluid and conforming to her surroundings.I’m taller than her, towering high above her head, but she never falters. We’re like two perfect pawns—a rook and the queen he vows to protect.
As the music swoops into something fast and steady, I dip Melody low, my hand at her back as we stare into each other. It’s as if the whole room fades until it’s just us.
Her gaze bounces between mine, something unsure and frightened in her eyes. “Kaden…“ She whispers.
The way she’s looking at me makes me flustered. I quickly glance away, only to catch my dad’s stare from across the room. Mom is smiling so hard her cheeks must be hurting, but Dad appears ready to strangle me. I’m an obstacle to him, the son who stands in the way of anything and everything. I’m the kid who tramples over his perfect rules without hesitation.
I’m his enemy.
I have his sweet, precious daughter in my arms, my shrouded and dark shadows curling around her like a disease. And he can’t fucking stand it.
I rip my eyes away from him before pulling my sister back up and spinning her until she gives a breathless giggle. The sound is better than any delicate harp or sharp violin. As I pull her back into my arms, the smile I’ve perfected over the years eases onto my features. It’s so simple when it comes to her. The emotions feel natural—pleasant.
As the song comes to an end, I notice Vincent standing awkwardly to the side. He’s staring at us like he can’t believe what he’s seeing. There’s a bundle of uncomfortable small signals from him. Shifting from foot to foot, the tight, blank expression he wears, and his fist squeezing at his side.
To onlookers, we’re siblings who are extremely close, with an unbreakable bond. But to Vincent, I’ve made something very clear.
Melody ismine.
My sweet sister belongs tome.
She may not understand it yet, but she will. This whole city will know before I meet my fate. Even now, staring at the heir who gawks at me like a freak, those urges beg me to close the space between us. To strangle the very air from his lungs for even touching Melody.
My sister squeezes me into a hug, unaware of the vile bloodlust nipping at me. “If you wanted a dance, you just had to ask.” She whispers affectionately.
I place my hand at the small of her back, never taking my eyes off Vincent. “I don’t ask, Sunny. Itake.”
She rolls her eyes, giving me a friendly pat on the chest of my suit. “Okay, edgelord. I’m gonna go grab a drink. You should lay off the alcohol. You smell like whiskey.”
I let her go, my hand trailing after her until she’s out of my reach. “Don’t come near my sister again,” I warn Vincent.
He scoffs, shaking his head. “You don’t own her. You’re just—” His eyes flicker across me again. Calculating.Judgmental. “Too much.”
Cold fractals crack and shatter across me, my gaze darkening as I close the space between us. “You think you’re good enough for her? Because a room applauds at the mention of you?”
His eyes crash with mine, slight fear bleeding into them as he swallows. “I think she’s scared of you…”
I tilt my head condescendingly, sight burning into him. “Melody has nothing to be afraid of. You, on the other hand…” I let my words trail before pushing past him and slapping a rough hand over his shoulder. “Enjoy the party. It could be your last.”
Later that night, Dad yelled at me for interrupting Melody’s dance. I zoned out while he screamed until his face turned red. All I could think of was how I was going to bide my time for the next few years. I have to make every moment count.
And I don’t plan to waste a second.
Chapter fifteen
Melody
One Year Later
Collegeprepisharderthan I thought it would be. I’m still stuck between my two acceptance letters: one for Cornell and one for Columbia. I don’t know where I want to go…
Part of it is because I’ll be leaving everything behind. My mom, Dad, and Kaden. Just thinking of continuing life without my brother by my side makes my chest ache in a way I’m not comfortable talking about. Not even with Kodi.
