Lila
The late afternoon sun cast long shadows across the palace gardens, its golden light shimmering on the surface of the reflecting pool. I had sought solace here, hoping the tranquil ripples would steady the turmoil within me.
The events of the past days had left me on edge, and the cool breeze did little to calm my racing thoughts.
“Elena,” a voice cooed from behind, saccharine yet sharp.
I stiffened, the hairs on my neck rising. Turning slowly, I faced Vanessa. Her emerald eyes gleamed with a predatory glint, lips curved into a smile that didn’t reach them. She was the picture of poised elegance, but I knew better than to trust appearances.
“Vanessa,” I greeted cautiously, masking my unease.
She stepped closer, the scent of her sickly sweet perfume trailing her. “You’ve been quite the enigma since your arrival,” she began, her tone lilting with feigned curiosity. “Elena Ashford, the dark horse of the selection. Who would have thought?”
I forced a chuckle, though my palms grew clammy. “People can surprise you.”
“Indeed.” She circled me slowly, like a lioness assessing her prey. “But some surprises are… unwelcome.”
My heart skipped. “I’m not sure I follow.”
She leaned in, her breath warm against my ear. “A little bird told me that Elena Ashford had a childhood friend. A dear companion who knew her inside out.”
I swallowed hard, memories of the real Elena and Vanessa flashing before me–their shared laughter, their whispered secrets, and the times they had cornered me, their taunts tearing the heart out of my ten–year–old self.
Vanessa pulled back, her gaze locking onto mine. “Imagine my astonishment when I realized that you, dear Elena, are not who you used to be.”
The world tilted. The carefully constructed facade I’d built threatened to crumble under her piercing stare. “We grew up, people change. It’s only natural,” I managed, though my voice wavered.
She chuckled, a melodic sound threaded with malice. “Oh, don’t play coy. I remember you now. The quiet girl always lurking in the shadows, eyes downcast. How amusing that you’ve stepped into the light, wearing a name that doesn’t belong to you.”
I clenched my fists, nails biting into my palms. “What do you want, Vanessa?”
Her smile widened, revealing perfect teeth. “Straight to the point. I can respect that.” She paused, savoring the moment. “Stay away from Damon.”
A sharp intake of breath burned my lungs. “You know I can’t do that.”
“Oh, you will.”
“And if I don’t?” I shot back.
Vanessa’s eyes narrowed, the mirth vanishing. “Then I’ll unveil your little lie to the entire Court. Imagine the scandal. The disgrace. Damon despises liars, doesn’t he? I believe that was one of the rules to remain, wasn’t it?”
The weight of her threat pressed down on me, suffocating. Exposing my true identity would not only endanger me but also those I cared about. Yet, the thought of relinquishing Damon to her was equally unbearable.
“Why are you doing this?” I whispered, desperation seeping through.
She tilted her head, feigning innocence, “Isn’t it obvious? Damon deserves someone of noble blood, someone who understands the intricacies of our
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Chapter 45
world. Not… a bastard imposter.”
I searched her face, looking for any sign of compassion, but found none. The Vanessa from my past had been cruel, but this woman before me was
ruthless.
“I need time,” I said finally, buying moments to think. “I can’t just walk away without everyone asking questions. But I… I could set up some time for you. With Damon. He gets a say in all this after all. If you two hit it off, I’ll back away.”
It took her all of half a second to reply. “You have until tomorrow, evening,” she replied smoothly. “After that, the Court- and Damon – will know your
truth.”
She turned on her heel, leaving the echo of her ultimatum hanging in the air.
I stood rooted to the spot, the reflecting pool’s surface now eerily still, while my insides were anything but.
I stayed staring at the water for a dozen heartbeats before by anger rose up and took control of my feet.
I found myself stalking through the Palace halls searching for… something.
Vanessa’s ultimatum pressed into my skin like a bruise. Stay away from Damon. Or else. I turned the words over and over in my head as I walked the long corridor toward the upper terrace.
I hated her smug face, her cruel delight in finding something she could finally use against me. But what I hated more was how close she was to tearing this whole lie apart. And how little it would take.
I didn’t care about her ambitions. Not really. But my mother’s safety, my survival…Damon. All of it balanced on the edge of some metaphorical cliff. Or literal cliff if Damon decided to throw me off of one after meeting the real me.
I needed to act before she did. Which meant reaching out to the one person in the palace who trafficked in secrets and might be able to arrange a meeting for Vanessa.
What was I thinking promising that? I just needed to buy my mother more time.
“Asher,” I said as I stepped into the quiet alcove beneath the cypress tree where I’d spotted him earlier. He was still leaning against the wall like he’d been waiting.
“Well, well,” he drawled. “Twice in a row. If I didn’t know better, I’d say you were starting to like me.”
I didn’t smile. “I need a favor.”
He tilted his head. “Careful. That sounds suspiciously like the start of a debt.”
L
“I’ll pay in information,” I said. “Or silence. Whichever you find more valuable.”
That got his attention. “I’m listening.”
I stepped closer, dropping my voice. “Can you arrange a private meeting between Vanessa and Damon? Quietly and soon. As in tomorrow.”
His brows rose. “You know, most people spend their time trying to avoid that girl. You want to gift wrap her for the King?”
“She wants to talk. To him. And I think… well, it doesn’t matter what I think.”
Asher studied me for a long moment. “Does this have anything to do with the fact that Vanessa’s been stalking you like a jealous shadow since the combat trial?”
I didn’t answer. I didn’t have to.
He gave a sharp exhale and pushed off the wall. “All right, Lucky. But I want you to know something.”
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Chapter 45
I stiffened. “What.”
“She doesn’t care about him. Not really. Just the Crown and title of wining this little archaic competition. And if you think feeding her to the literal wolves will save you, it won’t. She’ll find her way back. They always do.”
“I’m not trying to save myself,” I whispered. “I’m trying to protect someone.”
Asher blinked. “Not yourself?”
I hesitated. “Not just.”
He didn’t press. Just nodded once. “Fine. I’ll talk to Damon’s assistant. She owes me a favor. You’ll get your meeting. But you’ll owe me next.”
“I already do.”
“Then consider this interest.”
I turned to go, but his voice stopped me. “Lila.”
The name hit me like a slap. I spun back around, heart thundering.
But Asher just smiled, slow and amused. “Relax. Your secret’s still safe. For now.”
“How long have you known?”
“Long enough to know you’re not Elena. But not long enough to know who you really are.”
I stared at him, my throat dry. “And you haven’t told anyone?”
“IfI had, we wouldn’t be having this conversation.”
I hated that I felt relieved. Hated it even more that I couldn’t tell if he was being kind or playing a much longer game.
“Why not?” I asked. “Why keep my secret?”
Asher stepped closer, eyes unreadable. “Because I like watching people throw the system off balance. And you, Lucky, are the biggest variable in the whole damn palace.”
He stepped back and disappeared into a shadowed corridor, leaving me alone beneath the cypress tree.
The cold wind rustled the branches above me, sending a flurry of petals across the stones. I picked one up, turned it over in my fingers, and let it fall.
The meeting was set. And I felt absolutely sick to my stomach about it.
AD
