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Hells to the no.

Not. Gonna. Happen.

I shoved the lingerie into the drawer as deep as I could. I didn’t even dare check the rest of it because the drawer was full of more lace in varying colors, and I had no intention of ever,ever, wearing any of it! I slammed the drawer closed and took a massive step away from it.

A shiver passed through me, causing my whole body to shake. Next time I saw her, I was going to shove that thong down her throat.

Who the hell bought all of this? Edith had clearly been here, that was for sure. But who purchased everything? I remembered the second card on the bed, and ran over to it, taking it and tearing it open. Inside was a piece of elegant stationary with theCalvernon crest printed on the top of the page. And underneath was elegant handwriting.

As the future First Lady of the North, you must dress like one. I have tasked Edith to purchase you a new wardrobe. I trusted she would know your size and pick clothing suitable for a young woman of your stature.

My cheeks colored as I cast another glance at the sex drawer in the corner. Boy, wasshewrong.

Remember, child, that the future of Telvia and your brother’s life are now in your hands.

Regards,

Sasha De’vor

Well, that answered that. I’d have to thank Sasha for the clothing and Edith for shopping. Though, the thanking part might come after I punched Edith for the clothing—if you could even call it that—in the skank drawer.

I put the cards back down on the bed and took another look around with a long sigh. This was it. I was here, and I was moving full steam ahead with a plan that may or may not explode in my face. I felt heavy, and I started to chew on my nails when I heard a knock at my door.

Don’t tell me it was dinner already? I glanced at my mini-tab and noted the time. I still had two hours before dinner.

“Coming,” I walked to the door. Marissa had mentioned someone would give me a tour of the house. It was probably a maid or something. I reached for the knob, pulled open the door, and then my stomach dropped. Immediately, I felt an icy chill run down my spine as my heart squeezed, threatening to explode. Because right in front of me was Matias.

19: All My Demons

My gaze fell upon deep brown eyes, warm skin, and wavy blackish-brown hair that framed a boyishly handsome face. My heart sputtered in my chest, feeling as though it was about to give out. “Matias…”

His eyes met mine as a small smile turned one corner of his lips upward. “Don’t soundtoohappy to see me,” he teased, but it was weak and forced. I could hear the pain hiding behind his words. Hurt crept in and snaked through his tone.

My cheeks colored. Did he know? “Hi,” I said too quickly. “Hey, um, wow. What…what are you doing here?” I wanted to kick myself. It all came out too fast, too rushed. Like I was guilty of something and had been caught red-handed.

But wasn’t that the case? Was I not guilty of agreeing to marry someone else?

His gaze fell to the floor as he shook his head. “Wow…it’s been months and all I get is ‘what are you doing here?’” It came out sharp, a tickle of annoyance seeping in.

I narrowed my eyes slightly, but decided a fight was not what I needed at the moment. “I’m sorry. It’s just, I’m surprised and so much is going on right now.” I backed away from the door. “Why don’t you come in?” I walked further into the room, hearing him follow me and then the door closing. “How did you know I was here?” I asked as I turned around.

“Edith.”

“Oh.”Well, that tracks. Leave it to Edith to set me up and not even warn me about it. I swear that girl was going to be the death of me. I brushed a loose strand of hair back behind my ear. “Um, how did you find me in here?” A nervous laugh escaped me. “This place is like a maze.”

He looked around the space, face void of any expression. “Wes and I used to hang out sometimes. Nice room.” I watched as he took in the space and drunk him in because never in my life had I seen Matias in regular clothing.

The gray t-shirt sat on his frame comfortably, while his black skinny jeans highlighted all the right places. The familiar sensations of heat, rapid breaths, quickened heartbeats, and excitement brewed from desire filled me. In just those couple of seconds, I was back on the mountain, overlooking the world, wrapped in his arms with lips that kissed me hard and fast.

He cleared his throat, bringing me back into the present. “Yeah, it’s super fancy.”

He glanced at me, eyes blank. He tried a smile, nothing but the curve of his lips, but it looked wrong and forced. “Is this what your room was like at the Presidential Palace?”

“Uh, no. No, my parents gave me the smallest room in the house.”

He nodded. “Right…”

Silence.