All I'm going to say about this chapter is hold onto your butts.
I forgot what it felt like, the slight burn in my throat and my lungs. I brought the paper back up to my lips and took a slow drag. This wasn't something I indulged in often, but today, I needed to.
I rested my elbows on my knees and held my head in my hands. If I could sleep through the day I would. But today was too busy. Too many things to do and too many people to see.
"I miss you, brother," I whispered in my hands, lifting my head enough to take another pull. I had a short window of time before someone found me out here, and I didn't want to be caught. Today I wished I was with my family, heading out to the lake in honour of Aslan. Instead, I was going to another masquerade tonight that I wanted to avoid.
"Miss?"
I sighed and blew the smoke out, tapping the paper to drop some ash and turned to look behind.
"Yes, Pipa?"
Pipa stood there and looked like she was contemplating something before stepping through the grass and sitting on the bench beside me. It must have looked comical for me to be sitting outside in the sun in a pair of trousers, but right now I didn't care.
"Do you need anything?"
I brought the paper back to my lips and pulled again. I wasn't sure what I wanted. Lissa understood to an extent, but I didn't want to bother her with this. She struggled through the loss of her parents.
"Can you just…sit here with me? Just for a little bit?" I whispered. Pippa nodded and folded her hands primly in her lap, not a single hair out of place from her bonnet. I closed my eyes and let myself mourn Aslan for a few moments. I let the feelings and emotions I held in for the year out and shed a few tears.
Pippa sat quietly and provided me with silent comfort, reaching out and taking my other hand. I smiled sadly at her, squeezing her hand back.
"I only met Master Mazur once," Pippa said, "But I see much of him in you. Both of you have the kindest souls. I'm sorry for your loss. It's his birthday, is it not?"
I nodded and took the last pull from the paper and stamped it out under my foot.
"He would have been twenty-five. And he would have been married to Lila for two years. Instead, both of them are in the ground," I said blowing out a puff of smoke.
"Lila?"
"His fiancée. She contracted the same illness and died a few days after him," I said as I stood up, brushing the back of my pants off. Pipa looked up at me with sad eyes.
"I did not know that."
"No. Her family made it sounds like an accident to prevent hysteria about a contagious disease. My mother was terrified that I was going to become ill too."
"I'm thankful that you didn't," Pipa said, "Not every maid has the pleasure of working with a lady as kind as you."
I smiled at her and ran my fingers through my hair, unravelling some of my curls as I did.
"Pipa? Would you be able to do my hair tonight down? That way I will be harder to be noticed?" I asked. I didn't want it down to look different, but simply to please Dimitri. Maybe we would be lucky and have a private moment alone and I could feel his fingers in my hair. I had noticed that he looked at my curls frequently at the tea party, and when we departed he had twisted a curl around his finger, rubbing the soft strand between his fingers before kissing my cheek.
"Of course," she said standing. "Do you require another moment?"
I shook my head but was grateful for her care and candour. Pipa was always kind and I liked to think of her as a friend from time to time.
"No. But thank you, for staying with me. I am grateful for your kindness," I said quietly, resting my hand on her shoulder. "It means a great deal to me."
Pipa smiled kindly at me and bowed her head. I sighed and walked up the stone path back to the house, slipping in the back door.
"Hopefully the evening is not as hot as the day," Pipa chimed in as she brushed my hair. I looked up at her in the mirror and smiled at her weakly.
"I hope so. I pity all the ladies who will wear their most extravagant dresses. It will be so heavy and hot," I sighed, running my fingers under my eyes. We were in the thick of August and the heat had hit its highest point. I made sleeping almost unbearable. I had taken a habit of lingering in the entry of the cold cellar just to gain some relief.
That and to relive my secret rendezvous. There had been more since then, us sneaking away for stolen kisses. The first time Dimitri touched my waist I thought I was going to float off to the heavens.
I loved the way he laughed too, so deep and rich. He had a smile that he gave others in public, but the smile he gave me was pure and genuine. He didn't hold back his ideas from me, he shared them so animatedly.
He wanted to do so many things before he took on the role of Duke. He wanted to open a club, much like the well-known gentlemen's club that was frequented in town before it burned down last summer.
But now that his father passed and he took his role as Duke, everything changed.
Dimitri had started the summer with no intentions of finding a wife, and that was still true, but I wasn't sure that was going to be his answer next summer. With the way he had spoken over the last few weeks, he had mentioned things for the future, but in a way that he was asking my opinion.
"Have you decided what colour you'd like to wear?" Pipa asked and I blinked out of my musing.
"I haven't decided. I'm torn between the night-blue and the gold."
Pipa smiled at me. "May I suggest the white with gold lace embroidery?"
I titled my head. "Why that one?"
Pipa smirked to herself as she braided and twisted strands of my hair. She was keeping most of it down and curled around me, but was pulling strands back to weave them at the back of my head. That way, she could pin my mask in place and jewels.
"I think that if you're dressing to impress someone, you should go with white and gold. Very regal looking. It even makes you look like a duchess to be," she explained with a wink.
I bit the inside my lip and tried not to smile. "Why do you say that?"
"Because every time you've come home since seeing the Duke, you smell different. I can smell him on your dresses," she snickered, "I know I may be overstepping, but I do hope that he has not forced himself upon you."
I smiled at her. "I promise he hasn't."
Pipa raised a single brow at me in the mirror. "But you've both taken pleasantries?"
I blushed and shifted in my chair, crossing my legs uncomfortably. "I feel like this conversation is inappropriate," I said bluntly.
"My mother once said that if you cannot speak of it, you're not ready."
"We haven't done that," I hissed, "We've kissed and that's all I wish to say!"
Pippa went back to doing my hair and hummed to herself quietly. "If things ever progress further than they have now before you're vowed, please tell me. I can do things to protect you," Pippa whispered once she finished my hair. The look on her face was genuine and soft, almost motherly.
"I promise," I whispered back.
As much as I had hoped Pipa would be right about the night being cooler, she was wrong. It was almost hotter in the evening than when the sun was up.
I was sure I was going to break my wrist with how vigorously I was fanning myself. Lissa looked like she was going to fall over from the heat.
"Andre?"
I looked at Lissa and gave her a look. I had hoped that she wouldn't tell him now while we were all trapped in a carriage.
"Yes, sister?"
"I believe I will be proposed to tonight," Lissa voiced, a doe-eyed look on her face.
"Is that so?"
"If I am asked, am I to accept?"
I furrowed my brows and let my eyes flick between the two of them. Andre didn't seem all that surprised at her statement, and Lissa seemed so hopeful. I fanned my face more than my chest and waited for Lissa to look at me.
"If a suitor proposes, I give you my blessing," Andre said, not looking up from the small novel in his hands.
Lissa looked at me with a smile and looked out the window of the carriage, a large smile creeping up. I was confused and concerned. I knew that Andre was hoping to have Aaron Drozd propose soon. What if Christian didn't propose in time?
I didn't have time to ponder it further when the carriage door opened. The trip was shorter than anticipated. I climbed out and smoothed out my dress, being careful to avoid stepping on it. The white and gold looked beautiful but collected dirt and dust easily.
Lissa climbed out as well, a vision in purple with a mask donning peacock feathers and jewels in her family's colour. The jade hanging around her neck was often a topic piece for conversation, and she was dressing to impress tonight as well.
The music was quiet as if it was just there for background noise, but with the level of people there conversing, I'd be surprised if anyone else heard it. It was the most glamorous event I had been to yet, everyone dressed in their best. Feathers, gems, pearls, you name it; it was here. We all were taking the dress code seriously.
"May I ask you to dance?" A man asked, standing in front of me in silks that sparkled like emeralds. I nodded kindly and took his hand, letting him bring me out to the floor. Lissa smirked at me as I looked back at her. I had barely been in the room for a moment and was asked to dance.
"May I guess who I have the pleasure of dancing with this evening?" the man asked, placing his hand respectfully on my upper back.
"You may," I said with a smile.
"Lady Mazur?"
"Which one?" I joked, knowing that it was known by everyone in town that my parents were in France.
"The younger. The one with a smile so pretty it cannot be mistaken," the man said with a smile, twirling me under his arm.
"And I have yet to figure out your identity," I chuckled. The man laughed and winked at me through the mask.
"Who do you know that would follow you at night to make sure you returned home safely from the apothecary?"
My blood ran cold at his admission. My eyes widened and I stilled, pulling back but he stopped me.
"Easy. I just wanted to make sure you were safe. I would hate to learn something had happened to you," he said kindly, even giving me a pearly smile.
I took a slow breath. "And who would want to ensure that?"
"We've met. I believe we had an entertaining dinner. I believe that you had an even more entertaining evening with the Duke."
"And yet I am still unsure as to whom you are?"
"A painter," he said, "That's the only hint I will provide you."
I pursed my lips and thought about it. There were many people at the dinner and I was puzzled at who I knew was an artist.
"Adrian," I said once I figured it out, shaking my head with a laugh.
"Finally," he laughed.
I chuckled but stopped. "What did you mean about the Duke?"
"Oh nothing," he shrugged as we came to the end of the dance, "Simply I know that you and the Duke are friendlier than most realize."
"I don't know what you are insinuating," I said bluntly, feeling panic seep into my skin.
"Oh please," Adrian said as he pulled me off to the side and away from the dance floor, "I won't say anything. Besides, I like seeing the colours."
I frowned at him and picked up a glass of lemonade, sipping it slowly. Colours? What could he mean?
"Adrian? Colours?"
Adrian pulled a flask out from inside his jacket and unscrewed the top, tipping the contents into a glass. He winked at me again while stirring the clear liquid with the lemonade and took a sip.
"Each person has a colour to them. You, for example, are gold and yellow. Happy and carefree, but there are tinges of blue to you. You still mourn your brother after these three years. But when you are around the Duke," Adrian explained, a smirk coming to his lips again, "It changes. There is less blue and redder. Red is the colour of love and passion."
I tried to take what he said with an open mind, but I was lost. "What do you mean?"
Adrian tapped the side of his glass with his finger and thought. He tipped back the last of his drink and set the empty glass on the table.
"Come with me," Adrian said, taking my hand and pulling me out of the main ballroom and into the gallery across the hall. I gapped at the artwork on the wall as Adrian pulled me along. I couldn't begin to comprehend such beautiful art.
"Here, see this?" Adrian asked, pointing up at a painting above us. I looked up and nodded. It was a woman, or really a painting of an angel.
"Yes."
"See that halo of light around her head?"
I nodded again. "That is what everyone has, but it is a different colour. Depending on your mood. It's why I paint; I can show those colours."
I nodded. "So they look to you the way the sun looks coming through the trees?"
Adrian clapped his hands together and turned to face me. The smile on his face was bright and excited.
"Yes! Exactly like that! The way the sun shines through the leaves. Or, when you swim underwater and the light ripples across the surface. An explosion of lights in all different colours. That is what I see."
I understood what he meant now. Aslan always said I had an eye for colour. I would find new colours everywhere and I remember explaining to him my fascination with watching the sunrise in the autumn and how it made the leaves look like flames.
Adrian looked like I was the first person to understand what he was saying – what he was seeing. I couldn't imagine how difficult life must be for him, not having someone to understand what he was seeing, or feeling like he couldn't explain it right.
"How many people have you spoken with about this talent?"
Adrian's excited expression fell. "Not many. My father forbade me from telling anyone. You know how I sound."
"I know how you sound but I do not judge you for it."
"No. But you are also much kinder than most. Many would have me shipped off to the closest asylum for even mentioning it. My father tried, but my mother, she's a force to be reckoned with too," Adrian explained. "I do ask for your discretion."
I nodded and smiled at him softly. "You have it. Besides, I feel like I need to ask the same."
"Oh?"
"I think you know more than you are letting on," I said quietly, fearfully.
Adrian didn't dignify me with an answer to my statement but simply nodded his head curtly. I sighed and looked around the room. We were not the only ones here, and everyone seemed to be consumed with their work, or gossiping amongst themselves.
"It's funny, little artist, that you mentioned the Duke."
I rolled my eyes at the nickname. "Oh?"
"Yes. I recall recently that he had a younger Mr. Zeklos physically removed from a party a few weeks ago. Stating that he was unwelcomed and that he was to stay far away from his sister. And you. Care to elaborate?"
I rolled my shoulders back and shrugged. "He's not a good man."
"I gathered."
"What I mean is, he tried to corner me alone and the Duke and his mother found me. Dimitri was conserved and made it very clear to Jesse Zeklos that he was to stay away from me. But he snuck into the ball at the Belikov estate."
"Interesting."
"Why is that so interesting?" I returned, turning to look at him with my head tilted.
Adrian smiled. "I just find his fascination with you interesting."
"The Duke's?"
"Jesse's. He should know better by now. I heard back in the day your brother broke his nose for making one or two lewd comments about you in the past."
I blinked to myself and furrowed my brows. I hadn't known that.
"He did?"
"Yes. I met him a few times. It would be his birthday today, would it not?"
I smiled at him. "You're one of the few people who remembered that."
"It's an important thing to remember. Celebrate his life," Adrian said with a smile. I nodded and he gave me a kind look, extending his hand to me. I took his arm and let him lead me back into the ballroom.
There was one face I had yet to see tonight. I had seen Mason and Eddie, giving both of them a few dances. It was easy to notice Mason with his fiery hair, and Eddie was trailing along with Viktoria at the beginning of the night. Mason was still unaware of my charity towards his family and still carried a torch for me. I hated to break his heart, but I had to.
It went much worse than planned.
I had tried to quietly let him down, make him see reason. We were in different social standings and places in life. We came from different backgrounds. He was a dear friend to me, and I hated hurting him, but he became angry. He didn't shout, per se, but he did raise his voice.
It was uncharacteristic of him, but I had essentially broken his heart. He tried to make me believe that we could work, and every time I provided him with a valid and logical reason why we couldn't, he became angrier.
My heart ached for him but his final words were like a lash to the heart. Claiming that I shouldn't have led him to believe we could have something over the last few years.
To my knowledge I never had, but he could have seen things differently. I pressed my lips together when Eddie intervened and told Mason that he needed to step away. I couldn't look at Mason as he left and instead looked away, not able to bear seeing how angry he was.
"Did I lead him to believe there was something?" I asked Eddie.
Eddie tucked a hand into his pocket and shook his head. "I think he knew deep down that it would never be. It was too fantastical for it to be logical. I think he just doesn't want to acknowledge it. You did not give him a false lead."
I nodded and sniffed, pressing the edge of my thumb under my eyes. Eddie tsked and rested his hand on my shoulder sympathetically.
"I know today is hard for you. Try to forget about this and enjoy the rest of your evening, please?" Eddie said gently, rubbing his thumb on my shoulder. I looked up at him and nodded.
"I'll try," I said quietly, "Have you seen Lissa?"
Eddie looked around and strained his neck. "She is standing with Lord Ozera over there," he said, pointing towards where the two and Andre stood. Andre looks furious while Christian and Lissa were looking almost defiant and firm.
I could see Christian's lips moving but we weren't close enough to hear what was being said. Eddie took my elbow and we walked across the hall. He had sensed something was arise.
Christian lifted his glass and rasped it with a spoon from the table, calling everyone's attention to him.
"I have an announcement I would like to make," Christian called out loudly so everyone was listening. Andre hissed something at him but Christian ignored him.
"I have asked the lovely Vasilisa Dragomir to be my wife, and she has graciously accepted," Christian exclaimed, holding Lissa's hand up to his lips in a loving gesture. I looked up at Eddie and laughed.
"I cannot believe she did it," Eddie chuckled.
"Did what?"
"Went behind Andre's back and accepted a proposal that she knew he would fight," Eddie laughed, "But if he makes her happy, then I am happy for her. Truly, I wish the two of them all the best."
I looked at Lissa and could see the beaming smile on her face. She looked as though she were over the moon. She complied with Andre's dictation. A suitor did propose to her tonight, just not the one he thought.
"I should go and congratulate the happy couple," I said with a snicker. This was going to be an entertaining night. By regular standards, the two were a perfect match. Lissa was the daughter and sister of a Viscount and Christian was a Viscount as well. In the eyes of statues, it was a well-suited match, but in the eyes of society, there would be talk.
A family of well standing and a family fallen with scandal. But I hoped that they two could make the best of their situation. Eddie nodded at me with a smile and I made my way through the crowd, shifting between dancers as I went.
Andre was fuming when I reached them, making pleasant conversation while people congratulated Lissa and Christian, but I could see in his eyes that he was barely holding onto control. I met his eyes and he gritted his teeth, casting a look at Lissa.
"Let me be one of the most heartfelt congratulations," I wished her, hugging her tightly.
"Thank you," Lissa whispered in my ear, "Isn't it lovely?"
Lissa lifted her hand up for me to see and I held her fingers gently to look at her ring. It was a cluster of small pearls set in gold. It was almost like a flower, and it suited her with how delicate it was.
"It's beautiful, Liss," I said with a smile. I looked at Christian and canted my head.
"Congratulations," I said. Christian eyed me and nodded his head.
"Thank you," he said, almost watching me like he was waiting for my fist to strike him again.
I stepped closer to him and narrowed my eyes at him. "If I hear that you've bedded her before your wedding night, I will cut off a very important appendage. Do you understand me?"
Christian grinned at me. "Yes, madame."
I nodded at him and smirked. "Good."
"But if you strike me again, I will knock you on your hide."
"Good luck," I said, "You'll have more to fear from me than Andre."
Christian nodded, but I could see mirth dancing on his face. He knew it was in jest but took a fraction of it seriously. As children, we all knew each other, interacting at dinners and events, and Christian and I never saw eye to eye. We were civil in a sense but were known to lob insults and lude comments at each other.
If I was honest with myself, Christian and I were the same person and we clashed. Maybe that was why Lissa was so taken with Christian. She felt a safeness in him that she found in me.
I loved Lissa as if she were my blood. And if loving Christian made her happy, then I guess I would have to put my dislike for Christian aside. Well, not completely, someone needed to keep him humble.
I rubbed my hand over the top of my forehead with a sigh. I was starting to get a headache from the evening. Maybe too much excitement and drink. It was enough to have me seeking some solitude from the noise.
The hallway branching off the gallery was cool also, which helped the unsettled feeling in my stomach. The heat and wine were not a sound choice, but it was enticing at the moment.
The door off to my right creaked open and a set of hands gripped my shoulders, ushering me out. I gasped and pulled against their grip, but they spun me in their arms, pulling me firm against their chest.
"Easy, kotenok," he whispered playfully, kissing my cheek.
I blew a breath and gently smacked his chest. "Gosh, Dimitri. You scared me out of my wits!"
Dimitri laughed loudly and kissed me boldly, his hands sliding down my arms to hold my hands. I sighed against his lips and twisted my fingers with his.
"You look beautiful," Dimitri whispered with a smile, letting go of one hand to caress my hair. I smiled up at him.
"You look dashing," I said softly, "We match." I was surprised but felt a flicker of appreciation. He was wearing a gold dress shirt with white breeches. There was no lace, but we matched.
"Yes. I had a hand in that."
"How so?" I laughed.
"Your lady's maid is quite the romantic," he said, his finger tracing the frame of my mask. It was small but delicate. It was one of my mother's that she had packed in my trunk in case I needed one. It had jewels sewn into the edges and white feathers tucked in as well.
But Dimitri mentioning Pipa made me stop. Now her statements and questions made sense.
"Have you corrupted my lady's maid?"
"I wouldn't say corrupted," Dimitri said while tucking my hair behind my ear, "But I most certainly have corrupted you."
I smirked at him and rolled my eyes. "I think that is the other way around, Your Grace."
Dimitri raised a brow at me and let his hands rest on my waist, pulling me closer. I glanced around for a moment, feeling the trickle of anxiety because we were so out in the open. But we seemed to be the only ones out here.
There was something about the two of us and gardens. We always seemed to come back here. But then again, gardens were private and dark, the perfect space for us to hide. I caressed his cheek and loved the feeling of his skin under my palm, so soft and warm. Dimitri gasped my other hand lightly in his hand and pulled me away from the doors and down the steps. I had to quicken my pace to keep up with him, a girlish giggle slipping from my lips as we came around the edge of the stairs and through the trees.
We found a place secluded to the eyes near the fountain, a large stone with ledges and curves. It was beautiful, but it also was hidden from the eyes.
Dimitri twirled me around and laughed with me at the carefree gesture before gripping my waist gently. He lifted me and perched me on the lowest ledge, putting me almost eye to eye with him. The concrete was cold beneath me, but refreshing against the heat of the air.
"You look stunning in your mask, but I want to see you," Dimitri said. He smiled at him and gestured behind my head. Dimitri brushed my hands out of the way and ran his fingers through my hair. I felt the pins come loose from my hair as his fingers twisted around my strands. I let my hands wander up his shoulders and cup his neck, my nails ghosting over his skin.
Dimitri lifted my mask off my face slowly, letting it drop to the concrete underneath me. My foot gently brushed against Dimitri's leg, coaxing him towards me. Dimitri's hands settled on my waist as he tipped his head down, his nose brushing against mine.
"I love you, Roza," he whispered.
My eyes closed and I smiled up at him. His words flowed so smoothly from his lips and to finally hear them made me feel warm inside. I felt like I could melt into a puddle and float away at the same time.
They were words I had wanted to hear so desperately.
"I love you," I said back, my lips brushing his as they moved.
Dimitri squeezed my waist softly and ran his hands upwards, brushing along my ribs. I shivered at his touch. He was careful not to touch my breasts directly, but he brushed against them as he did. He pulled me closer to him and his lips met mine firmly. It was a kiss that was determined and fiery as if he was trying to pour all his love into me through his kiss.
"The moment your parents return, Roza," Dimitri whispered, caressing my cheek, "I don't care if it's the season. I need you. I don't care how long it takes, but I want you in my life."
I couldn't keep my hands in one spot, gripping onto him anywhere that I could. His hands were the same, one coming to rest on my knee. All I could think of was how dangerous this was, but I didn't care. He was the one for me, through and through. There was never going to be someone else for me.
In a move that was equally bold and dangerous, Dimitri's hand slipped under my knee, holding me close while our lips moved. It felt so foreign for someone to touch me, but it didn't make me nervous. It excited me and that was why it was so dangerous. Every touch, every kiss, every brush against skin left me wanting more. So much more.
But there was something about knowing the summer was ending that made my chest ache. When would I see him again? How long would it be until I would hear from him again? Would he wait for me? He said he would, but how could I be so sure? If we were separated because we returned to our respective homes, how long would I have to endure the loss of him?
But feeling his lips on mine, and knowing what it feels like to have his hands on my waist, and the feeling of his fingers again my skin, I let the worry slip away.
I slipped off the ledge, stumbling as my feet hit the ground. I shrieked slightly but steadied myself with his arms. Dimitri chuckled too but I smothered it with a kiss, tangling my fingers into his hair, pulling the tie from his hair.
I gasped when a hand gripped my shoulder and pulled me back roughly. I was torn away from Dimitri and I saw the same surprise on his face. I looked at Dimitri before shaking out of someone's grip, but they just repositioned their hold.
I realized now that we had been reckless, so, so reckless. It was one thing meeting alone in places nobody would find us, but at a party no less. We should have been more careful.
"What the hell do you think you're doing?" Andre yelled, spit flying from his lips as he spoke.
I sucked in a few breaths and looked at Dimitri, but I couldn't find the words.
"Andre," Dimitri began but Andre whipped his attention to Dimitri. It was as if he moved in a blur, letting go of me roughly and lunging for Dimitri. Dimitri seemed prepared for it, but the two stumbled back, tumbling onto the ground. I started to move towards them but another set of hands latched into me.
"Don't. You don't want to get caught in that," Ivan pleaded, holding me tightly. I watched as the two grappled, both getting a few hits in before Ivan called out to them, telling them that it was enough. Dimitri pushed Andre off of him and got to his feet, wiping his hand over his bloodied lip. I struggled to get out of Ivan's grip but finally got free.
"You are no better than your father!" Andre spat, wiping the hand over his split eyebrow.
I didn't know exactly what Dimitri's father had done, but I knew that whatever insult he had lobbed was too far.
"Andre!"
"And you," Andre said, spinning around and pointing a finger at me. I swallowed and lifted my chin the slightest bit, not backing down from his glare. Andre huffed and shook his head.
"Aslan would be so disappointed in you. Acting like a harlot," he bit out. There were many things that Andre could have said; that I was a disgrace, that I was ruined, that he had a mind to lock me away in the house for the rest of my time staying with him. But instead, he said the one thing he knew could hurt me.
He knew that I missed Aslan, and he knew that he meant the world to me. But for him to say that made me hurt in a way I didn't think I could.
"Andre," Ivan said, his voice indicating that he didn't approve. Andre's face was hard as stone and he barely looked at him.
Andre rolled his shoulders back and ran his hand over his hair, smoothing it back. He tore his eyes from me and looked at Dimitri.
"You will not approach Rose, you will not speak to her, and the moment a match is secure for Viktoria, you will leave. And you will not come back," Andre spat, the cold and sharpness in his voice cutting through the heat of the night.
"Andre," I started to plead but he held his hand up, eyes still on Dimitri.
"That, or I'll tell everyone just the kind of man you; the lineage you come from. I will end you."
"By trying to end me, you put Rose in the crossfires," Dimitri defended but Andre just chuckled.
"That's a risk I'll have to take," Andre said before turning towards me again, gripping my upper arm and pulling me away. I looked over my shoulder, hoping that Dimitri wouldn't let things end like this, but he just stood there.
Don't hate me lol.
