Page 67 of A Broken Promise

Florian.

“You have two seconds, Florian,” Priya hissed.

“Is it not good enough for me to want to visit my favorite business partner?” Florian tugged on his exquisite cufflinks.

He ducked to the side just as a sharp knife nearly grazed his ear, landing straight into the picture behind him.

“Priya!” I loudly gasped. “Seriously?”

Florian, though, was unfazed. He turned to look at the small knife sunk deep into the painting.

“It’s a shame. The picture was quite pretty.”

“I won’t miss next time, Florian. Last chance. What are you doing here?” Priya’s mouth turned into a thin line.

“Fine. If you must ruin my fun. We need a new batch of the opium in two days for the Royal ball.”

“I was already aware of that. There is such thing called messengers.” Priya already pulled another dagger out of her thin sheath. Unsure, I pulled out mine.

“I also came to check up on my friend.” Florian jerked his chin towards me. “She hasn’t stopped by, and I believe we have some unfinished business.” He smirked.

“She’s been busy,” Priya dryly replied. “And if you ever step inside my house uninvited one more time you will never see her again.”

My face frowned at that remark, though I stayed quiet. If Florian was irritated by it, he didn’t show it. Slowly, he turned to pull the knife out of the picture.

“Always so violent. Come on, Priya, aren’t we friends?” He took a few steps towards her. She clenched her jaw.

“I’d suggest you go take a walk, but dead men have a hard time walking,” Priya angrily spat, but Florian simply chuckled.

“I’ll have to tattoo that wisdom on my chest next time.” He slid his hand into his slick pocket, pulling out a letter. “Too bad dead men can’t deliver this to you either.”

Priya violently grabbed the envelope from his hands and viciously ripped it open. I watched as she read and reread the contents again and again. Florian’s eyes were going back and forth between her and I.

After too long of a silence, he finally spoke.

“Don’t go ahead and thank me all at once. I mean it’s not like it cost me an arm and leg and some questionable choices.” He smirked, slowly folding his arms.

“The Royals Queen’s ball...” Priya’s tone changed to low, calculating, as if she completely forgot the death threats thrown against Florian only a minute ago. Her dark copper eyes glanced over to the gardeners outside, raking up whatever was left of the burgundy leaves. She then turned to Florian. “Short notice, but I’ll make it work.” She glared at him.

“Oh, but wait, there’s more.” Florian’s frivolous lips stretched in a wicked smile.

“The Baroness is going to be there too,” Priya quietly mumbled. Not a question, but a statement. Her face was now expressionless, lost deep in her thoughts.

Florian nodded.

I quietly observed their silent exchange, stilling my body and folding my arms, hiding any of the irritation I was feeling. I had absolutely no idea why any of this was important. Whatever it was though, it overshadowed Florian’s little stunt, so it was big enough to ignore Priya’s number one rule of no males in the house. But I didn’t know the meaning of any part of that conversation. Lost, as a child between adults conversing. Secluded, as if I was an outsider.

“Anyone care to explain what’s going on?” I finally barged in.

Florian looked at Priya, giving her a chance to explain when she didn’t, he spoke.

“Well, you and Iare going to the ball, gorgeous.” He smiled.

“The Royals Queen’s ball?” I asked, not even sure what that entailed.

“Yes, the grandest ball of the year for the Death Day Celebration.”

“Death Day?” I tried hiding the sudden surprise in my voice. Has it really been a year already?

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