Page 38 of A Kiss From Death (Oath of Vengeance #1)

I rip my arm away, making him chuckle as he strides in front of me to open the door.

I sarcastically curtsy to him, and I swear, I notice the slight curve of his lip in a genuine half-smile.

I commit it to memory, loving the ease at which it bloomed across his face.

My little heart pounds like a drum from the simplest things this man does, force feeding me little parts of himself I want to stash away like a hibernating animal. It’s confusing and infuriating .

I try to put as much distance between us as possible, hoping I can blend into the shadows and sneak back to my room. In three large strides, though, he has caught back up to me with ease. Grunting, I keep my face forward and pretend he’s not there.

He lets out a breathy, soft laugh. “Brat,” he says in an amused tone.

Spinning on my heels, I turn to face him, which only makes him run right into my chest. “I only agreed to let you walk me back to my room, I never agreed to acknowledge you while doing it.” I have to crane my neck to look into his eyes.

He takes a step forward, making me take a step back to match him. “Forgive me for being a gentleman, Nyxi .”

My stomach erupts in a cascade of butterflies, light as a feather, floating through the wind.

No matter how many times this man says my full name, it always seems to catch me off guard.

He makes it sound like a prayer rolling off his tongue, like I’m his salvation, the answer to all his problems. Even though he’s fed up with me, no matter what, he always says it in the softest tone, handling it with care.

Nyxi, the girl made of glass.

He’s still staring down at me, and I realize I’ve zoned out thinking about this man calling me by my damn name. Nothing is ever all sunshine with Hade, though, and it’s something I’ve grown accustomed to.

“Would you have liked me to treat you like the brat you are? Throw you over my shoulder like old times and march you back to your room? Parade you around the hallways for everyone to see? Showing them you’re my little play thing? Or, more accurately, my personal nightmare .”

Yes! my brain shouts without thought, and I’m stunned.

This man is not nice; he’s not even good, and he’s certainly not Theo .

I shouldn’t get excited over his threats, but my mind also takes note of the fact that I’m feeling emotions again, something I thought would never return to me.

Unfortunately, Hade happens to be the one drawing me out of that very dark place I’ve expected to rot in for the rest of my existence.

It’s too confusing for me to understand, and so all I can do is continue in ignorant bliss.

I turn around and continue to walk again before my traitorous body does something dumb, like kiss enemy number one.

If I stayed there one moment longer, I’m not sure how my body would have reacted.

I’m not sure my heart is ready for the consequences.

I slow my pace this time, looking over at him every few steps to show I’m not entirely ignoring him anymore.

He just chuckles and keeps pace with me, halving his strides. “I thought so,” he says, making me roll my eyes. I can play nice and not ignore him, but I also don’t have to be sunshine and rainbows.

Instead, I decide to ask him something that’s been sitting at the back of my mind since the ball, attempting to change the mood.

“Who is Aire?” I question. He looks confused as to why I’m bringing this person up and how I even know who they are.

“The Empress, when she walked out on us in the garden, she said you were to inform Aire of the details of the first round of the Crucible.”

He nods in understanding. “He lives in the castle and runs Lunaria for the Empress while she is in Fallout. She spends a lot of her time down there, keeping the peace, and so when she’s gone, Aire steps in and acts as interim Emperor, basically.”

That was not what I was expecting. “Why have I never heard of him then, if he’s that important?”

“The Empress likes to be the face so they don’t get confused on who’s in charge or try to rebel.

Aire likes to stay in the shadows and control things in the background.

He likes to remain a secret so he can move about Lunaria without drawing attention.

He is a powerful player in the Empress’ pocket and has more sway than you would think. ”

Now, I’m just plain confused. “Why tell me this, then, if he’s to remain a secret? ”

He licks his lips, looking more exhausted than I’ve ever seen him.

“I honestly don’t know. I guess I’m tired of holding everyone’s secrets, and this one seems harmless enough.

For some odd reason, I trust you, Nyxi. Trust does not come easy to me, so don’t prove me wrong.

Since the day I met you, I’ve felt this weird pull, like I’ve known you in a different life.

It sounds silly, but I have always listened to the greater call in life. It has yet to fail me.”

I nervously swallow and catch him watching the dip of my neck.

Nodding back, I try to unravel this bomb of a confession.

I find it weirdly comforting knowing he has felt this same indescribable pull that I’ve been failing to push aside.

I’m not sure I believe in destiny, but since day one, there’s been something nagging under my skin when it comes to Hade.

It’s unfamiliar, as if my body is telling me I can trust him before my mind has caught up.

I usually try to scramble away from others, but my body seems to notice his presence before my eyes have even spotted him, like it knows something I’m not privy to yet. Just what that is, I’m not so sure of.

“Your secret is safe with me, Hade. I promise.” I shoot him a soft smile to try and draw the stiffness from his body, the torment from his face.

He relaxes, letting his shoulders drop and his strides soften. “Thank you,” he replies softly.

We walk a comfortable silence this time.

Approaching my door, he turns and abruptly grips my face in both hands.

He searches my eyes for answers I’m not sure I could give me, trying to pluck the meaning of this pull we feel straight from my very soul.

My heart pounds in my ears as I look up at him with wide, vulnerable eyes, willing him to find the answers he wants.

He looks like he can taste it on the very tip of his tongue before he sighs, frustrated.

Slowly, he plants a soft kiss on my temple.

“Sweet dreams, Nyxi.” And then he disappears to nothing right before my eyes.