Page 76 of A Broken Promise

I already knew that those new slick, black leather boots she was wearing were full of weapons. I also knew that the large gold choker covering most of her neck with the fist-sized stone in the middle was hollow, filled with powdered smoke to choke out and paralyze any threat. Each hair pin in her well-braided bun also contained deadly darts. And those long, golden earrings were filled with deadly poison, giving the silver stones a black hue. A few strands of her curls were left dangling loose, calculatingly placed there for pretend ease and carelessness. A predator’s trick to lure the naïve prey, unaware of the danger hiding behind the veil of smiles and bouncy, chestnut curls.

A deathly queen indeed.

38

GIDEON

“Last chance to back out.” I shook Kaius’s hand as he opened the door to the carriage. He laughed as he squeezed my hand back.

“You could only wish.” He confidently smiled, buttoning up his brown vest, his invitation hidden well in his pocket. “Tell Ophelia I’ll be back by dinner.”

“Good luck, my friend.” I patted him on his shoulder and watched the carriage depart.

The sky was layered with thick, heavy clouds. Dark and gloomy. Not even a star or a ray of silver moon getting through them but the air—the air was cold and crisp, filled with anticipation. As if it too was aware of what we were planning tonight.

“Xentar didn’t disappoint.” Zora snuck to me from the shadows of a townhome, also watching as more clouds bunched up together—courtesy of Xentar. Dressed in all black, she was like a shadow herself, moving quickly and undetectable.

“Is everyone ready?” I asked Zora, eyeing as more people joined the crowds striding towards the Royal Castle.

“Yes. Everyone is in their positions, waiting for the signal,” Zora whispered, running her fingers up and down the thin black chain linked at her belt—the only sign of her nervousness. I scratched the two-dayold stubble on my face. I didn’t have a chance to shave today, and it irked me.

Because today I needed everything to go perfect.

“You are distracted, Gideon,” Zora sneered. “And if it has something to do with the fact that you wasted another day looking for her, I swear to gods—”

“Perhaps it’s because you keep rattling your chain all day.” I arched my brow at her, baiting her. She curled her lip in annoyance at me but stopped.

“How many Destroyers are in town?”

“A garrison or two. I’ll deal with them.”

“You always do.” She rolled her eyes at me, and I smirked.

“Try not to get lost in the clouds, cousin.”

“Try to come back less charcoaled this time,cousin.” Zora mimicked my tone and shook her head, before disappearing into the shadows of the night.

In a few quick and silent strides, I joined the flowing mass of people.

39

FINNLEAH

The bright winter sun was well beyond the horizon, leaving only specks of purple hues skidding through the darkening sky. The first couple of stars made their cold appearance, only to be hidden by heavy gray clouds minutes later. I was fully dressed, standing in the living room by the front door, awaiting the light buzzing sound of the steam engines pulling up on the street.

Priya walked down the stairs just as a loud knock rang against the door.

“You look fantastic!” I started beaming with glee. Priya was gorgeous, but that black makeup outlining her eyes and her lips made her look like Death Incarnate herself. She was a Queen, maybe not by title or birth, but she was a queen to be reckoned with and this was her kingdom.

“Iamfantastic.” She winked as she passed me to open the door for Florian.

With no invitation, he walked inside the hall.

His long hair was unbound, resting on his slender shoulders. He wore a dark burgundy tuxedo made from rich velvet. Underneath was a black, crisp shirt with golden buttons, though most of them were left unbuttoned, putting on display that large, eye-catching floraltattoo.

“Oh, gorgeous, you arestunning,” Florian said in awe as his eyes lingered on me and I couldn’t resist but to smile sheepishly.

“You don’t look too shabby yourself.” I smirked, giving him a welcoming nod.

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