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“She knows enough. She’s not naïve to the type of people our family associates with. Which is why I found it even more surprising she wanted to come. Usually, she would choose staying home in her gardens over going out.”

Endo smirks and hooks a gold cufflink in his cuff. “Maybe she’s spending too much time with you. Your extroverted ways are rubbing off on her.”

I’d like to rub something else off on her.

“Maybe you’re right. I should attempt to be more antisocial so I can keep her all to myself.”

Not a completely bad idea.

“Don’t worry, we’ll keep an eye on her, and if she gets overwhelmed, we’ll sneak you out the back. I’ll tell everyone you got food poisoning from the quiche.” He laughs somewhat maniacally. “They’ll all be so freaked out over the quiche and mom pissed at the caterer to notice two people leaving.”

That would be a pretty hilarious cover up, but I don’t want the caterer to take the blame for bad food when it’s not. Especially knowing what someone like my mother would do to them and their credibility if they did give someone food poisoning.

“No, don't blame the caterer. No one deserves the wrath of Naomi Kingsley. Especially for something they didn’t do. Just say we got tired and left. Or better yet just say we left. They don’t deserve an explanation.”

Endo nods, but his shoulders still shake with silent laughter. Probably imagining everyone freaking out and spitting out the quiche trying to rinse it out with champagne.

“I’m going to talk to mom and change then go pick up Daisy. The earlier we arrive the earlier we can leave.”

“Got it. I’ll go find Keiko and update her.”

“Thanks.”

I leave my brother to find our sister and head for Mom’s dressing rooms. Because just having a bedroom to get dressed in isn’t enough, she has to have a series of rooms set aside specifically for the laborious task of putting on clothes.

Knocking on the gilded double doors, I wait for someone to answer. No way in hell am I barging in and catching my mother half naked. One of her personal assistants, the one who does her hair and makeup I think, answers the door after a long delay. She ushers me in without a word.

I find my mother standing in front of a mirror that covers one entire wall, adjusting her various expensive earrings. She has many, many earrings to choose from, one pair in particular, handed down from my grandmother, would look especially ideal on Daisy’s delicate ears. A diamond and emerald encrusted floral piece that cuffs around the helix and antihelix covering a large portion of the mid and lower ear and held in place with a piercing at the lobe. Mom barely ever wears it, calling it old fashioned and outdated, choosing more modern, geometric designs.

I wonder if I were to pilfer it and give it to Daisy if she would even notice its absence. Probably. Then she would blame the nearest staff member for stealing it and fire them and maybe even file theft charges against them. No, if I took it, I would have to make sure she knew it was me. Which doesn’t deter me in the slightest.

“Kai, what a surprise. I thought you had run off for the evening to escape my horrible party,” my mother says in a sardonic tone that reveals every ounce of her displeasure, not even turning away from the mirror and her primping.

“Oh, I had, but it turns out Daisy wants to come and meet you. So, here I am informing you that I’ll be attending with a guest.”

She finally turns to face me, far more interested in our conversation, now that she’s finally getting what she wanted.

“Is that so? I’m so glad she changed your mind.”

“She didn’t but I’d do anything for her, even introduce her to you if she wants. But before you enact whatever the hell it is you’re plotting, I have a few rules.”

“Rules? Must I remind you whose house this is? I make the rules here dear,” she scoffs with the arrogant huff of a queen. She is no queen, though she fancies herself one.

“Not tonight, you don’t. Not when it comes to Daisy. You will abide by my rules or we’re not coming.” I stand firm, hands on my hips and spine straight and solid as granite. On this I will not budge.

My mother looks me up and down before her cobalt lips pull into a smirk, a devilish twinkle in her eyes.

“Very well, what are your rules?”

“Do not call her a half-breed. Do not announce her hybrid or human heritage to anyone. If you must say anything, just say she is an earth nymph. You will not ask about her parents or family. You will not make her feel uncomfortable in any way or we leave. Understood?”

Her smirk doesn’t fall, and that fact worries me. As does the fact she doesn’t even question Daisy being a hybrid.

“Of course, dear. Anything you say. I want her to feel welcome in our family, especially if she’s this important to you. This is after all the first female you’ve ever deemed worthy enough to be serious about. She must be very special indeed.”

She is, but I can’t voice that to my mother. Pretending to be promised to another for a mate bond or in a fake relationship to get her off my ass is one thing. She would get irritated and try to talk me out of it, not really putting much effort into it. But being in a real relationship with someone important and special? My mother will try to shred it to pieces, force us apart, because none of her children are allowed to mate for love. Leaving this family permanently is sounding more and more appealing by the day.

“Just behave Mom. Don’t make me regret coming here. Tell dad he has to abide by the same rules, and my brown-nosed siblings for that matter. If anyone even breathes the word hybrid, it’ll be years before you see or hear from me again.”