MINE
The booming sound of the grandfather clock in the corridor echoed across the huge manor as midnight approached. I lay wide awake in bed, feeling as though my head was spinning with ideas and emotions. Instead of being comforting, the silk sheets now felt suffocating against my skin. The memory of dinner lingered in my mind, with the tension, loaded looks, and barely veiled threats hidden beneath polite conversation. It replayed in my thoughts, each iteration deepening the pit of fear in my stomach.
I turned onto my side and looked at the elaborate vanity across the room. In the low moonlight streaming through the heavy draperies, I could just see my reflection — a pallid ghost with wide, troubled eyes. Looking back at me, I hardly recognized myself. Was I the cleaned-up daughter of a criminal lord? The future bride of an even more dangerous man?
Muttering "Screw this," I slung my legs over the side of the bed. As I padded across the room in near-darkness, fumbling for my bathrobe, the soft carpet muffled my feet. I shrugged it on over my silk pajamas, feeling the cool air shiver up my bare legs and spine. Perhaps it wasn't just the cold causing shivers.
I slid to the door, pressing my ear against the smooth wood. The kind of silence that screamed secrets and peril. Turning the doorknob, my hand shook, and I winced at the barely audible click as it opened.
The corridor opened out before me like a vast black tunnel lined with antiques and valuable artwork. Dad referred to family heirloom items. I knew better now. Every piece most likely had a bloody past and was paid for with life rather than money. I moved discreetly. Years of sneaking out to parties had finally had a purpose. My heart hammered so fiercely that I knew the entire house would wake from it.
Doubt tore at me when I got to the secret passage's hidden door. Was I really doing this? This was insane. Should I be discovered, I had no idea about the fallout. But something kept me moving ahead. Was it an inquiry? A terrible sense of obligation? Perhaps also the great need to comprehend the world I was married into.
My fingertips discovered the secret clasp, cool metal against my damp flesh. "Am I really doing this?" My voice was just a breath in the stillness as I whispered to myself. I paused, poised on the brink of a choice that might decide everything.
I took a deep breath and pushed. The panel groaned softly as it slid open to reveal the dark secret passageway. I immediately smelled the musty scent — a mix of ancient wood, dust, and long-buried secrets. It was a stark contrast to the floral perfume I was wearing, which reminded me of the two worlds I was straddling.
My heart raced as my eyes adjusted to the darkness, and I made out a familiar silhouette.
"Ava!" I hissed, a mix of irritation and relief in my voice. "What are you doing here?"
My sister turned, her eyes wide with a mix of exhilaration and anxiety that I knew all too well. I could see the mischievous sparkle in her eye even in the low light — the same one that had gotten us into trouble more times than I could count.
"Same as you, I guess," she said, with a slight smile on her lips. "Couldn't sleep; couldn't stop thinking about everything."
I approached, steadying my quivering hand on the cool stone wall. Up close, I could see Ava's tense posture and her fingers slightly shaking as she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. Though she tried hard not to show it, she was just as afraid as I was.
I shook my head and mumbled, "This is insane. We shouldn't be here. If Dad discovers-"
Ava interrupted, "But we are here," she said, her voice low but forceful. Something tougher and more determined replaced the mischief in her eyes. "Come on, Kylie. You know you want to know what's going on. We are entitled to know what we are signing into."
Before I could protest much more, muted but definite voices floated through the wall. Ava and I looked at each other, a quiet conversation flowing between us in a heartbeat. Then, one at a time, we stared down the peepholes.
Before us spread the lounge, glowing warmly from the fireplace. Shadow and light moved across the men assembled there, transforming familiar features into hideous masks. My nose wrinkled at the aroma of aged whiskey and expensive cigars coming through the wall.
Lysander sat in his regular chair, one hand loosely holding a tumbler of amber liquid. With a comfortable but vigilant stance, like a predator at rest, he looked every inch the master of his territory. His face's angular planes were captured by the firelight, creating dark shadows that gave him an older, tougher look.
"What is happening?" I struggled to catch every detail, my lips hardly moving as I inhaled.
Ava answered with an equally gentle tone. "Lysander and his soldiers are here right now. Everyone else departed following... you know."
I knew, but the memory of raised voices, broken glass, and the distinct sound of a gun being cocked rushed back. I pushed back a shiver.
Lysander's voice, icy and forceful, cut into my thoughts. "Gentlemen, we have to talk about tonight's events."
The room's tension turned up a degree. I watched Dorian curled on the sofa, a smile flickering on his lips as he spun his empty glass with soft ice clinking. "Oh, come on, Lysander," he said, his voice gentle but his eyes piercing. "It wasn't entirely terrible. The cuisine was first-rate; the beverages were flowing; the company" I knew he was thinking about me when his eyes strayed to the door. "Well, let's say your fiancée is rather a vision."
My cheeks burned. How dare he!
SIX MONTHS LEFTLittle puffs of white vanished into the cold Chicago air as my breath coated her lips. Not even my big coat could shield me from the stinging winter cold that seemed to permeate my own bones. Perhaps then it was more than just the temperature. Perhaps the cold I experienced exceeded mere sensation.Crawling over the snow-covered streets, the sound of new snowfall under my boots gave my depressing thoughts a consistent cadence. Walking with me were my mother and sisters; our modest procession was completed by the always visible security. Only another family trip. Indeed.My stomach turned as we walked toward the opulent bridal store, its windows bursting with flowing white gowns and glittering accessories. Was not this meant to be thrilling? A passage of passage. A dream fulfilled.A few dreams.As we entered, the bell above the door chimed, and I was instantly hit by a flood of warm air and the stinging aroma of perfume. To welcome us, the small woman running the store
HIS ARRIVALI found myself in front of the big mirror in my suite, the golden light from the chandelier giving my face a cozy glow. My reflection looked back at me, but I wasn’t really feeling it. My dark hair was on point, but my hands kept messing with it, smoothing it down like that would somehow ease my nerves.The black skinny jeans felt like they were squeezing the life out of my legs, and the tight fabric wasn’t helping my anxiety at all. I kept pulling at my shirt, the soft material clinging to my skin and reminding me just how revealing this outfit was. “Why did I let Ava convince me to wear this? This outfit screams desperation. Lysander doesn’t care about my looks… does he?” I thought, trying to shake off the worry.“Stop fidgeting, Kylie. You look great. Actually, better than great,” Ava’s voice broke the silence as she lounged on the couch, flipping through a magazine with that annoyingly relaxed vibe she always had.“I really don’t think this outfit is a good choice. It’
A TRAPAs Lysander and I stepped into my bedroom, the air felt charged with tension. The door clicked shut behind us, and it was like the walls were closing in, isolating us from everything outside. The soft light from the lamps created long shadows that only added to the uneasy feeling churning in my stomach.I tried to calm my breathing, but it was tough with Lysander looming so close. He scanned the room with a detached curiosity, his eyes icy and calculating. I could sense his gaze even when he wasn’t looking directly at me, and it sent chills down my spine.“Why did you bring me here?” I asked, attempting to sound more self-assured than I actually felt. My voice trembled a bit, giving away my anxiety.Finally, Lysander’s eyes met mine, dark and intense. “I wanted to talk about a few things in private. Ava tends to downplay serious issues.”I let out a sigh, my shoulders drooping. “Ava wasn’t trying to downplay anything. She was just dealing with the situation in her own way.”For
WEDDING PILLS "There's one more thing we need to discuss," Lysander said, his tone deceptively casual. He ran a hand through his perfectly styled hair, a telltale sign of discomfort.Kylie's stomach did a backflip. "What now?" She asked, trying to keep the tremor out of her voice.Lysander cleared his throat. "Your, um, health regimen. You taking any... supplements?"Kylie's brow furrowed in confusion. "Supplements? Like... vitamins?""Not exactly," Lysander muttered, avoiding her gaze. "More like... preventative measures."The penny dropped, and Kylie's cheeks flushed crimson. "Oh! Oh, god, no. Definitely not."Lysander's eyes snapped back to her face, searching. "You sure? Your mom didn't slip you anything on the sly?"Kylie let out a strangled laugh. "Are you kidding? My mother still thinks babies come from storks. She'd sooner teach me advanced calculus than broach that subject."A ghost of a smile flickered across Lysander's face before he schooled his features back into neutral
OVERPROTECTIVE Ava's eyes widened in understanding, then narrowed dangerously. "Tell me that slimeball didn't--""Can we not?" Kylie pleaded. "I really, really don't want to think about it right now. How about we watch a movie or something? I could use the distraction."Ava looked like she wanted to argue, but finally nodded. "Fine. But this conversation isn't over."As Ava flipped through the TV channels, Kylie found her gaze drawn to Dante. His stillness was unnerving, like a statue come to life."Um, Dante?" she ventured. "You don't have to stand there all night. It's kind of freaking me out. Would you mind... sitting down?"Dante considered her for a moment, then moved to the vacant armchair. He shrugged off his jacket, revealing a crisp white shirt and a holster containing what looked like two guns and a knife.Kylie's mind raced. Would he be there all the time? Even when she needed privacy? The thought made her skin crawl.She was jolted from her spiraling thoughts by Rosy's vo
A NIGHT OF TENSIONThe living room was bathed in a soft, amber glow from the antique lamps, casting long shadows that seemed to dance across the faces of the four individuals gathered there. Kylie perched on the edge of the plush sofa, her fingers absently tracing the intricate patterns on a throw pillow. Next to her, Ava lounged with the easy confidence of a cat, her eyes sharp and assessing as they flicked between the room's occupants.Rosy, all gangly limbs and boundless energy, hovered near an oversized armchair where Dante sat. The young man's posture was ramrod straight, his eyes constantly scanning the room with the practiced efficiency of a seasoned bodyguard."Whoa," Rosy breathed, her eyes wide as she took in Dante's imposing presence. She inched closer, drawn like a moth to a flame.Kylie watched her sister's approach with growing unease. "Rosy," she warned, but her voice was drowned out by the sound of Rosy's girlish giggle.In a move that seemed to defy the laws of physic
LOVE TRIANGLE Ava stuck out her tongue, the gesture oddly childish coming from someone who usually exuded such sophistication. "You're no fun, A. I'm just trying to liven things up a bit. Speaking of which..." She turned back to Dante, her expression suddenly serious. "Where are Lysander and the boys headed for his big bachelor bash?"Dante's face became a mask of neutrality. "That's not information I'm privy to.""Bullshit," Ava scoffed. "You know exactly where they're going. Probably some sleazy strip club, right? Or maybe one of those high-end brothels the Family's always bragging about."Kylie felt a knot forming in her stomach. She didn't want to think about Lysander and what he might be doing tonight. Or any night, for that matter.Ava, oblivious to Kylie's discomfort, plowed on. "It's such bullshit, you know? The guys get to screw around all they want, but we're supposed to be these perfect little virgins. Like, why is it okay for Lysander to fuck half the city, but Kylie can'
BRIDAL SHOWERThe living room of the Palazzo Reale's top suite sparkles in front of me, a pastel dream designed for a celebration I never asked for. Soft pink and ivory roses overflow from crystal vases, their lovely fragrance blending with the crisp scent of chilled champagne. Delicate ribbons hang from the ceiling, catching the warm light from carefully placed lamps. A table is weighed down with fancy pastries and shiny flutes of bubbly. It’s stunning, almost painfully so, and I can’t help but feel like an outsider in this feminine wonderland.I smooth the emerald silk of my cocktail dress, the fabric gliding over my skin. It feels cool and slick, a sharp contrast to the rising heat of anxiety inside me. My mother’s voice echoes in my mind: "It would be rude to Lysander’s family if they didn’t get to meet you before the wedding." As if this act of regularity could hide the truth of what’s really going on.My fingers glide over the curves of the dress, pausing at the bodice. Emerald