His voice is soft, tentative. “It’s this Sunday.”
3
Danica
The scents of churros, beer, sweat, and kicked-up dust fill my nose. Lights flash from games, and the air is filled with the sounds of live music and announcers’ voices. Game operators holler at people to try their hands at knocking over cups, tossing ping-pongs into goldfish bowls, or losing their dinners on one of those death-trap zipper rides.
Dmitri and Leah walk on either side of me, which is as much about support as it is to keep me from bolting. I didn’t want to hang out with them tonight, but as soon as Dmitri learned about my “engagement” to Edmund Layton, he and Leah came over to kidnap me for a trip to the Clear Springs Fair.
“So, let me get this straight. The hot guy you were talking to at Patrick’s party—the one Dmitri nearly got into a fistfight with at Olivia’s benefit—you’re engaged to him now?” Leah takes a sip of her cheap beer and grimaces. “Do I have that right?”
I nod and swipe her cup so I can take a healthy swig. The bitter, weak brew slides easily down my throat but leaves behind a piney aftertaste. Now I can see why she made a face. I quickly hand back her cup.
“You know we’re in California in the twenty-first century.” She marches to the nearest garbage can and chucks the beer. “Nobody can make you get married here.”
“Sure. And if I don’t, my entire family dies.”
“It’s not that bad.” Dmitri’s voice is low, but his gray eyes hold a dark element of uncertainty.
“It is, and you know it.” It feels like a dark cloud has descended over the cheery, chaotic fairground. “Have you talked to Rachel lately?”
His jaw clenches. Rachel has barely left her room since those guys tailed her.
Children shriek on a merry-go-round. Leah turns to me, her eyebrows drawn together. “I’ll smuggle you out of the country. North or south? Or perhaps west, to Caperna?”
“My family would still be in danger.” Not only that, but imagine if I did leave the country. I’d miss my family, Leah, and my crazy roommates. And Cackle—could I bring him with me?
And…Troy and Edmund. I’d be leaving them, too.
I try to tell myself it would be a good thing. Whatever toxic back-and-forth we’ve been doing would finally end. I’d be free of them, and nothing could make me happier.
My eyes are watering with happiness…right?
“Hey, I didn’t mean to make you cry.” Leah throws her arms around me. “I’m so sorry. Whatever you want to do, I’ll help. You want to marry this fool? I’ll be your maid of honor. You want help slashing his tires and drawing dicks on his face with permanent marker? I’ll be there.”
The thought of Edmund with dicks on his face makes me laugh. I wipe at my eyes. No tears, no bullshit. I can do this.
“I’m going through with the engagement, at least.” I sound more certain than I feel. “At least let the Vorsong Circle think the families are closer than they are. And after that…I guess we’ll see.”
Leah nods, and Dmitri slings his arms around our shoulders in silent support.
With the happy sounds of children shrieking and country music blaring from an out-of-sight stage, it’s easy to believe everything will be okay.
Edmund
Danica is fucking gorgeous. She’s too beautiful for this party at my family’s lake house. Her light gray dress matches her eyes and swishes gently around her legs as she walks. She’s carrying around a glass of champagne, but barely sipping from it.
She looks like a silvery, untouchable goddess.
I kick at the gravel landscaping that surrounds the boat house. Water laps peacefully at the shore. Paper lanterns line the dock and reflect against the dark water.
Here in the shadows, fewer people approach me. Maybe I look like I’m sulking about the engagement party, but nothing could be further from the truth.
I get to marry Danica. I thought I had to push her away to keep her safe from my family, but if she’s actually a part of it…well, nothing safer. My father and grandfather won’t hurt her to get to the Aseyevs.
Because she’ll be mine.
Caleb approaches with a couple of other guys who work for my family. They’re relatives, too. It’s the blond twins, Jack and James. Second or third cousins, I can’t fucking remember. There are so many family members here, from both my side and Danica’s, my head is spinning. I set my nearly-empty tumbler of whiskey on the ground, because the alcohol doesn’t help the dizzying sense of disbelief that whirls through me.
