Page 58 of Destiny Redeemed
My mind whirled. I had specifically told everyone not to inform my parents about what happened. I’d even prepared excuses for the bruises. That meant only one person could have told them.
My eyes found Sebastian across the room as he walked toward us, a wine glass in hand. I narrowed my eyes at him, and he suddenly became fascinated with the contents of his drink.
Mother brought my attention back to her as she cupped my face. “Stop glaring at your brother,” she scolded. “If Sebastian hadn’t told us, we wouldn’t have known anything. Why didn’t you tell us? I’m your mother; I deserve to know.”
“Didn’t you tell me not long ago that you were disowning me as your daughter?” The words escaped before I could stop them.Shit! Me and my sarcastic mouth.
Mother’s eyes suddenly filled with tears, and I panicked.
“I was just joking,” I quickly clarified, my hands fluttering uselessly. “I knew you would worry; that’s why I didn’t say anything.” Which was true. I didn’t want them to worry unnecessarily.
I didn’t know all it would take for my mother’s anger to disappear was to come close to death.
“You look ugly when you cry,” I said, attempting to make her laugh, a desperate tactic from our old days. But the tears didn’t stop. I looked at my father for help, only to find his eyes glistening as well.
“Father…” My voice cracked, and suddenly he enveloped me in a bear hug, his large frame dwarfing mine.
“We were so worried,” he choked out quietly. “So worried, my little doll.”
Little doll. He didn’t call me that often. For him to use that nickname…
I got choked up despite myself. “Now you’re just ruining my makeup,” I managed, blinking rapidly. Laurel had spent an hour concealing these bruises—I couldn’t let them be washed away by something as trivial as tears.
Not when I had a more important mission to accomplish. Looking at my parents now only strengthened my resolve.
Mother wiped her tears and straightened my necklace. “Now that everything is resolved, you should stop staying at that hovel of yours and come back home.”
“How did you—” I whipped my head around to find Sebastian, who raised his glass in a mocking toast before walking away.
“Cheers,” he mouthed, taking a smug sip of his wine.
That traitor. How many of my secrets had he spilled while I was recovering?
I finally extracted myself from my parents’ emotional grip with a promise to visit them the next day. “I’ll tell you everything then,” I lied smoothly, dabbing at my mother’s tears with my handkerchief. “Go enjoy the party. I believe Lady Harrington is already searching for you, Mother.”
The moment they moved away, I exhaled deeply. The tender family reunion had thrown me off balance, but I couldn’t afford distractions tonight. I caught Laurel’s eye and gave her a pointed nod. Time to begin.
Laurel’s lips quirked in understanding. She bowed slightly before melting into the crowd, heading toward the servants’ passage that would lead her to the lower levels of the palace. If all went according to plan, she’d take care of the few guards while I created the distraction we needed.
No sooner had Laurel disappeared than a familiar voice intruded on my thoughts.
“Lady Ilyana, what a pleasure to see you again after so long.”
Lord Vincent Halloway materialized at my side, all lean muscle and practiced charm. His build was slender, almost slight, but I knew from the palace tournaments that he was remarkably athletic. His dark hair fell in a loose, wavy mane, framing an angular, intelligent face with a long nose, narrow chin, and large eyes that were currently fixed on me with undisguised interest.
Ah yes, the capital’s most eligible bachelor, who’s courted half the noble ladies and bedded the other half. Lucky me.
“Lord Halloway,” I acknowledged, searching desperately for an excuse to escape. “What a surprise to see you without a lady on each arm.”
He laughed, not the least bit offended. “I’ve been saving my arms for you, my lady.” He extended his hand. “Would you honor me with a dance?”
I scanned the room, acutely aware of the many eyes watching our exchange. Refusing him would cause a scene, and the last thing I needed was attention. Not when I had a prison break to orchestrate.
“How could I possibly refuse such a gallant invitation?” I placed my hand in his, my smile so wide and forced it nearly cracked my face.
We had barely taken three steps toward the dance floor when the announcer’s voice faltered. For once, I tuned into the announcement.
“His Highness, Prince Anderic Voltaire!”
