Page 1067 of One More Kiss

Because I had a sneaking suspicion that it was.

And I’d thrown it all away on a fools errand to try and save a sister who probably didn’t even want to be saved.

I tried the door one last time and when it was still locked I took a deep breath, regrouping. If only I could do that magical travel thing and transport myself somewhere else. I’d go back to that stone cabin at the base of the giant staircase. Hell, I’d go all the way back to the Midnight Gate. Why stop halfway there? Of course, I’d probably need Fin’s gem to make the gate open.

I took a deep breath, regrouping. If I was stuck here I might as well make myself at home and get comfortable.

I opened the first door and stuck my head in. It was the bathroom. Fancy black marble floors and hand basin. A bathtub that might also have been marble. A separate area with a toilet. The Fae had the same bodily functions as me, thank goodness.

I used the facilities and splashed water on my face. There was something comforting in the familiar motions which left me feeling much better.

Deciding to investigate the rest of the apartment, I opened the second door. This one was a walk in closet, filled with all sorts of clothing that I was too unsettled to do more than glance at.

I shut that door and went into the bedroom. I walked around the room, trailing my fingertips along the fancy dressing table and pausing to take in the view. Still magnificent.

I went into the sitting room, checking out the plants - unidentified - and the books.

I plucked a book at random off the shelf. Not English. The Midnight Prince had gifted me with his language ‘spoken and heard’. Maybe I could get him to throw in ‘written’ as well. I huffed out a laugh. I hadn’t thought of that at the time. I guess I’d never know what sort of books these were.

I plucked another book off the shelf, flipping through the pages and discovering that this one had illustrations. It was some kind of gardening book, with pictures of various plants and trees.

I settled down on the long couch with the book, first removing my sword and it’s spine sheath and placing it on the coffee table in arms reach. What else was I going to do? The couch was a lot more comfortable than I’d thought it would be and I stretched out my legs along the length of it, my back resting against the arm. I gazed out at the gorgeous view for long moments before returning my attention to the book.

I must have fallen asleep. It was dark outside when a sound from the direction of the door startled me awake. I leapt to my feet, fists raised and ready to fight.

And stopped.

Standing in the open doorway was a girl who looked exactly like me. If her clothes hadn’t been all wrong and the angle had been straight on instead of off to the side I’d have thought I was looking into the mirror. It was my twin. My sister.

Her hand flew up to cover her mouth at the sight of me. Then she reached behind her and pulled a reluctant Fin into the room, shutting the door behind him. I was still too stunned to move. After searching for a way to rescue her for so long I couldn’t believe I was finally seeing her.

She walked across the room to the windows where I stood, her movements fluid and graceful. She moved much like Fin, like a Fae. Then she was in front of me and grasping my hand, pulling me in for a hug. I stepped in, my arms on autopilot and wrapping around her. “Lys-Lys.”

Her grip was fierce. “Li-Li.”

We’d both reverted back to our childhood nicknames so naturally it was like we’d never been apart.

After long moments she pulled back, not releasing my hands. “It’s so good to see you,” she said. Her voice was full of warmth and love.

She swivelled her head to face the Fae at the door and when she spoke again I could tell she was angry. “And now we’re going to kill Fin.”

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