Page 136 of Ruthless Chaos
He produces a small velvet box that looks older than time itself. The casing is scuffed and torn, and the hinges look rusty—the box has seen plenty.
His eyes are glued to it, and he takes a deep breath. It looks like an old jewelry box. Alexander opens his mouth, then shuts it quickly. His lip trembles.
My heart tumbles.
Old jewelry box. Nervousness. Taking me to a place he’s found refuge during his darkest times, and now this beautiful, quiet spot in nature. My mind connects the pieces, and my fingers shake.
I’ve seen this same scene in movies before.
There’s no way, right?
Though, he’s always been adamant that I’m his.
Tara and Nya told me about forced marriages in their world. What if this is Alexander’s way of ensuring that nothing else happens to me?
My stomach is in knots, my blood is cold.
I like him, but to call him myhusband? That’s something else entirely. Gosh, what is Uncle Laurent going to say? He sent me here to lay low, not get engaged to the literal campus king. Oh my god, my father would—
Alexander opens the jewelry box.
The tension in my body fizzles. It’s not a ring.
It’s a necklace.
A confusing wave of disappointment squeezes my chest. I look at the river to compose myself. It was foolish to think he was proposing to me—he doesn’t even want to call this a date for god’s sake—so why do I feel hurt that he wasn’t?
Alexander doesn’t seem to notice my emotions.
“This necklace is a Kingmaker House heirloom,” he begins, taking the piece of jewelry out the box.
He holds it up between us—it’s a thick golden necklace, with tiny diamonds embedded in the chain. The pendant bears an insignia I’ve seen all over campus—the Kingmaker Crest.
“It’s given to the Head Kingmaker’s Courtesan as a symbol of ownership.”
He looks like he is holding a lot back.
“Courtesan?” I ask, staring at the necklace. “Like, a prostitute? You’re trying to brand me as your whore?”
My face grows hot.
“No, it’s not like that, Alize,” he says. “It’s an old word for an old tradition, and this necklace is hundreds of years old.” The diamonds on the necklace glitter in the mid-afternoon sun. “I’m not giving this to you with the expectation of anything,” his eyes heat up, “it is the physical representation of your…connection to me.”
Myconnectionto him. Right.
I look at him, then at the necklace.
“How will this help?” I ask but I’m already twisting my back to him.
“In the past, a notice would have been sent out.” He clasps it around my neck. “Nowadays, gossip will do that work for us. It’s just a symbol you belong to me entirely, that you’re untouchable." The metal is cool against my skin. Alexander’s fingertips feel like little jolts of electricity. I jerk. “The Courtesan also gets her own room in my quarters of the House.”
My jaw drops and the back of my neck grows hot. “I-is that a requirement?”
Alexander gives me a devilish smile. My heart rate picks up at the thought of whatliving with himwould entail. I wouldn’t be able to escape him.
“It is at the discretion of the Head Kingmaker to do as he chooses.”
“But you won’t require it, will you?” I ask. “I don’t know if—”
