Page 45 of Embers of Fate
Oh gods. Where is he?
“Are you looking for someone?” Vlad asks, his tone curious, almost knowing.
“No,” I breathe, the lie bitter on my tongue. As much as I love my brother, I can’t trust him with this. I can’t risk him reporting back to Gavriil about my forbidden feelings for Nik.
Suddenly, someone crashes into my shoulder, sending me stumbling forward. “Ow!” I yelp, startled and angry as I whirl around to confront the person responsible.
A woman darts past us, reckless and unabashed, her skin shimmering with the sharpest magic. It’s a sight that would go unnoticed by most, but as a witch, I can see the beaming web of power that tangles around her.
My eyes narrow, recognition dawning as I take in the intricate pattern of the magic. “I think that’s Gavriil’s brand...” I mumble, more to myself than to Vlad.
“What’s that?” he asks, leaning in closer to hear me over the din of the party.
“Was that Cassandra Deveraux, Gavriil’s chosen mate?” I ask, caution tempering my tone.
Vlad nods, his expression grim. “Yeah, it was.”
I scowl, crossing my arms over my chest as I watch Cassandra disappear into the manor. “Well,she’sin a hurry,” I mutter, irritation prickling under my skin. Who does this woman think she is, barging through the crowd like that?
My train of thought is interrupted by a commotion on the other side of the lawn. “Get out of the way!” a familiar voice barks, cutting through the chatter of the guests.
I turn to see Bram Draken shoving his way through the throng of people, his face twisted with anger.
“He looks angry as hell,” my brother notes, an eyebrow arching in surprise.
“Mm. Such alovelyparty,” I murmur wryly. And then, a thought hits me like a bolt of lightning. If Bram is here... then surely, Nik must be with him.
My throat goes dry, my pulse hammering in my ears as I scan the crowd, desperate for a glimpse of those ocean eyes, that tousled blonde hair. But even as I search, a sinking feeling takes root in my gut.
Nik isn’t here. I would know if he was, would feel his presence like a physical thing, a tug on my very soul.
As Bram draws closer, I notice something strange about his hands. They’re clenched into fists at his sides, glinting with a spectral red light that I’ve never seen before. Draken magic, pulsing and alive, so different from the golden glow that surrounded Nik that fateful night.
Stark dread claws at my throat as Bram charges towards us, his men following close behind. “Vlad...” I whisper, my voice trembling as I press closer to my brother’s side.
Vlad’s eyes narrow, a low growl rumbling in his chest as he takes in the approaching threat. In one smooth motion, he steps in front of me, shielding me with his body as he faces down the Draken heir.
I peer around his broad shoulders, my eyes scanning the faces of Bram’s entourage, searching for any sign of Nik. But he’s not there, and the realization hits me like a punch to the gut.
Face it, Samara. He’s not coming. He doesn’t care enough to see me, to fight for what we had.
It’s over. It’s really, truly over.
“Fucking Drakens,” Vlad mutters as Bram and his men push past us, disappearing into the manor.
He turns to me, his eyes soft with concern as he takes in my stricken expression. “Are you all right, Sammy?” he asks, his hands coming up to grip my shoulders as he crouches down to my level.
Sometimes, I swear, Vlad still sees me as the little girl I used to be, the baby sister in need of his protection. It’s sweet, in a way, but right now, it only serves to make me feel small and fragile, like I might shatter at the slightest touch.
I nod, not trusting myself to speak past the lump in my throat.
“Is there a problem here?” a deep, resonant voice cuts through the air, chilling me to the bone.
“Gavriil!” Vlad exclaims, straightening up and turning to face our brother with a broad grin. “Congratulations, brother.”
The Ursa King accepts Vlad’s hug with a stiff nod, his expression as burdened and brooding as ever. “Thanks,” he mumbles, his voice flat and lifeless. “I’m glad you could make it. I’m leaving.”
“You’re leaving? But the party has only just begun,” Vlad protests, clearly taken aback by Gavriil’s abrupt declaration.
