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Chapter 11: The Lesson, Part 2
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The Unfortunate Trilogy Chapter 12: The Kiss
NineKaden Sario is as still as stone beneath me, our mouths close to touching. Can he feel my heart? The way it's beating against his, threatening to tear through my chest at any given moment? We're not taught how to kiss. There were no kisses shared between Fortunates and Unfortunates in the slides I studied in class. In fact, a kiss between the two classes is considered unlawful if construed as romantic. "If kissing isn't hard, why do I feel so out of my depth?" I ask, losing breath the longer his brittle obsidian irises bore into mine. "Because you want to be good at it. You want to please me." Do I? My eyelids flutter. He's right. I do want to please him. Pleasing him is the key to my survival, and if he needs me to boost his family name like he claims, then I am valuable to him. "I want to please you. I'm afraid I don't know how." "Kiss me," he says, blasé, and I pull back. Has he forgotten the rules? That an Unfortunate cannot initiate physical contact with a Fortunate, in
The Unfortunate Trilogy Chapter 13: The Birthday Party
KADENine followed closely behind him as they made their way to the exit at the back of the house. As they were about to step out of the manor, Kade slammed his hand against the doorjamb, startling his Unfortunate. He locked his elbow and blocked her way."A few rules for tonight, Unfortunate," he said, turning his head. She peered up at him, doe-eyed and innocent. Kade knew better than to fall for it. He still felt her pressure on him. Her passion seared his soul. "You don't wander, you keep your mouth shut, and you steer clear of my brother."She eyed him curiously. It was the kind of look another Fortunate wouldn't dare let her get away with, but Kade allowed it. Because he found her cute, and her personality intrigued him. The realisation turned his stomach. Grimacing, he looked out across the open yard and prayed the impending thunderstorm, brewing to the west, put him out of his misery, and washed away the party."Why don't you like your brother?" she asked, and Kade stilled.She
The Unfortunate Trilogy Chapter 14: The Competition, Part 1
NINEWhen I return with Michael's drink, the three men circle a small table, its surface at rib height. They talk politics, mostly. It's a conversation led by the man with the most power. Michael Sario. His power terrifies me. The way he manhandled me on a whim… I shudder. I stand at Kade's side, on his left, with my hands behind my back, my fingers threaded together. I do my best to filter out their discussion, knowing better than to eavesdrop. Sugary giggles across the courtyard catch my attention. Children, an even mix of boys and girls, chase each other through the throng of adults, ducking and dodging, shrieking in playful fear. The sound of their excitement is both a familiar melody and an alien symphony. They rush past, and I twist to watch them spill onto the field in a burst of colour. The children weave together, haphazard yet delicate, threads of joyous youth that leave sharp tendrils of bittersweet longing in the pit of my gut. "Nine?" I whip my head and meet Michael's o
The Unfortunate Trilogy Chapter 15: The Competition, Part 2
My eyelids flutter. The dress? He dips his chin, a subtle confirmation. Yes. I swallow hard and push the flimsy fabric strips off my shoulders. The dress falls with ease and pools at my feet. My skin pebbles and my nipples harden as cool air nips at my warm flesh. A zephyr blows, pushing my hair across my chest, shielding some of my nudity from prying eyes. Embarrassment scorches my face, and my vision blurs, but I keep my chin up. In a matter of seconds, shadows darken my spot as a group forms around us. Whispers and snickers, heavy breathing and wafts of alcohol. I do my best to ignore it all and remain a pillar of perfection for Kaden Sario. "What are you doing?" Elizabeth demands. "She can't be naked here. There are children around."Kade kisses his teeth. "You're right." Pushing off the table, he strolls toward me. Smoothing his palm along the underside of my breast and drags a thumb over my nipple. I clench my teeth in fear of his tender touch parting my lips and exposing the f
The Unfortunate Trilogy Chapter 16: The Sleepover
NINEMy fingers tremble. There's a lump of dread caught in the base of my throat, preventing me from filling my lungs. I shift my weight, and my knees sink deeper into Kade's soft mattress. I've never felt a bed so soft or touched blankets that soothe the skin instead of making it itch.It's been hours since I left the party. At any moment, Kade will walk in, and I don't know how he'll react when he sees me like this, naked and scared. I keep my attention on the door, on the thin border of light that seeps through the crack around the frame. It's the only source of light in the room save for the fireplace's dying embers on the far side of the room. A cool, midnight breeze blows in from the far window and across my naked back, lifting the fine hairs on my skin.The handle rattles, and my heart races, beating erratically in my chest, threatening to smash through my ribs. I hold my breath in silent panic as his deep murmur carries through the wood and petrifies me to the core of my being.
The Unfortunate Trilogy Chapter 17: The Warning
KADEHis eyes fluttered open. Had he fallen asleep? He attempted to lift his arm to swipe at his face, only for it to be trapped under a soft, warm body. Kade blinked and peered around his room. In the faint early morning light, his Unfortunate nestled against him, her head on his bicep, a thick lock of auburn hair across her face, her hand around his wrist. What was she doing? A warm billow of comfort spread through each limb and gathered in his chest. Kade was used to sleeping alone. Sharing a bed wasn't something he'd done before, and it was...pleasant. The warmth another body brought reduced the tight bind of loneliness he'd grown accustomed to.Holding his breath, Kade reached for the lock of hair across Nine's face and pushed it away, smoothing two fingers across her scalp, then along the pillow behind her, so her pretty hair didn't tangle. Sucking in a sharp, frustrated breath, Nine waved her arm out of her blanket as if shooing a fly and exposed her breast in the process. Kade
The Unfortunate Trilogy Chapter 18: Breakfast, Part 1
NINEI stir from sleep with a yawn. Arching my back, I reach my arms above my head, pull my knees up, and curve my spine. I wring the sleep from my tired muscles as the blanket slips, exposing me to the cool morning air. It kisses my bare skin, reminding me that I'm naked."Sleep well?"The familiar female voice douses me like a bucket of ice water. My eyes shoot open, and I grip the seam of the blanket and yank it to my chin. I push myself onto my elbows and peer down the length of the bed. Standing at the foot of the bed, Portia stares down at me, her tight curls pulled into a stunning fluffy ball on the top of her head. I let out a rush of air. "Portia?""Your services are required in the kitchen this morning." She swallows hard and averts her gaze. "One of the kitchen hands was killed last night, and we need someone on drinks until Vincent is finished with Thirteen."It takes me a couple of seconds to unpack her sentence. An Unfortunate was killed. Vince has Thirteen. "What would
The Unfortunate Trilogy Chapter 19: Breakfast, part 2
NINE I exhale through my nose, causing ripples in the juice. Wasteful. I clench my jaw and tilt the glass. The cold, sticky liquid hits my skin and soaks into the tunic that isn't mine. It rolls between my breasts, over my tummy and down my legs. The table erupts with laughter, suffocating me with an awful feeling I've never felt before. Whatever it is, it cuts deeper than humiliation. I lick my lips, placing the empty glass on the tray. Tears sting at my eyes, and I blink, refusing to let them pool. "Where are your manners, Unfortunate? What do you say when a friend offers you a drink?"I open my mouth to thank her, but I'm grabbed by the forearm, and I startle as the table falls quiet. I peer up at Kade, who glares, at Elizabeth, his jaw clenching and releasing, then drop my gaze to the table. I have no desire to be caught between them. "What happened here?" he demands. "Why is she covered in orange juice?""Well, she looks dehydrated running around all morning serving drinks in t
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The Unfortunate Trilogy Chapter 72:
KADEHer tears stopped flowing and her chest relaxed as he carried her up the stairs toward his bedroom. When they were inside, he locked the door and carried her to the bathroom. Kade didn’t say anything as he placed her, feet first, on the white tiles, and she released his neck to pull his jacket tighter around her. He looked over his shoulder at her before bending down to turn on the tap. Dark circles surrounded her swollen, red eyes. Her cheeks were hollow, her lips cracked. He wished he could heal her instantly, but it wasn’t possible. The healing she needed would take time, and although he knew he wasn’t the patient type, he had to be… for her.Hot water splashed against the pristine porcelain as he reached to the other edge of the bath and retrieved the plug. When he plugged it into the drain, the water filled the tub. Steam rose, getting thicker and thicker the longer the tap ran. Afraid to burn her already sensitive skin, he adjusted the cold tap until the billowing steam beca
The Unfortunate Trilogy Chapter 71: Carried Away
KADEA deafening bang cracked through the air, vibrating the wood underneath his feet, and a shrill squeal pierced his ears. His stomach cramped, tightening itself into a painful knot. His first reaction was to shoot forward and as he slid the palms of his hands over her body, he expected blood. Her body shook as if she was in pain, but there was no evidence she was shot. Her shrill scream chilled his blood. The icy vessels cut through his veins and carved their way through his heart, making it twist in his chest. Nine sobbed uncontrollably as Soyer unchained her from the post, and she fell forward into Kade’s arms. He pulled her into him, wrapping his arms around her breakable frame, and held on for dear life.Odd threads of guilt swirled inside of him as happiness manifested in his core. A dead body laid in a crumpled slouch beside him, but it was because of that dead body he now had everything he ever wanted. The sound of chains being cut clicked over the sound of the excited crow
The Unfortunate Trilogy Chapter 70: The Execution, Part 2
NINEHis smell is bliss. It’s all the things I’ve grown to like about this world rolled into one. In some nonsensical way, it reminds me of lush green grass, clear blue skies, and fluffy white clouds. His smell is happiness—something I’ve only felt when I’m with him. I told him I loved him not so long ago. It was a declaration I made out of desperation—like he has done just now. His three words roll off my skin, failing to absorb and hit me where they should. What did he say to me when I told him I loved him? ‘I can’t love you, Nine.’ It’s funny how things turn out. I blink, pulling myself from my thoughts, and focus on his concerned gaze. He has beautiful black eyes. When light hits them at the right angle, they sparkle like the sky at night. I wonder if he knows that. “You should go,” I croak, pulling against my chain. I wince as sharp bits of metal cut the sensitive flesh of my wrists. “People are staring.”“You think I care how they see me?”He takes his fingers from my face, an
The Unfortunate Trilogy Chapter 69: The Execution, Part 1
KADEHe felt sick.As he sat at the table in the front row, his stomach twisted and clenched, threatening to expel the slice of toast he had for breakfast. It’s a miracle he kept the buttered carb down as long as he had. Since Nine was taken and locked up, he hadn’t been able to swallow a single thing besides water.He was exhausted. Every day he fought for her freedom, but it wasn’t enough. The harder he pushed, the more Vince and the council resisted. They didn’t want to see an Unfortunate rise from the ashes. They didn’t want an Unfortunate to become one of them. They were intimidated by her and what she stood for. Or at least most of them were. Kade knew Vince only wanted to see him suffer, but he’d do more than that. Without Nine, he would die.Kade understood that the best thing for her was to sentence her to death. Only in death was she safe from them. Safe from him.Trumpets sounded off in the distance, and Kade clenched the armrests of his chair. He knew this wasn’t a dream, b
The Unfortunate Trilogy Chapter 68: The Fortunates
I flinch as a rogue drop of cold, stagnant rainwater falls from a crack in the stone ceiling and splashes on the tip of my nose. It sobers me, and I blink away the fog. I'm still alive. Still locked up. Still a pending Fortunate. I grant my cheeks reprieve from the iron bars that hold me captive and pull away from them. Kade hasn’t visited me, and I don’t know if I’m relieved or disappointed. Both emotions wage war inside me. I expect his priorities have shifted by now, and he's impartial to what’s happening in my life. He killed his father. He got what he wanted. Why would he stay? I’m just a girl who caused him more trouble than I'm worth. Even so, my lovesick heart twists painfully in my chest, and I grit my teeth. God. I miss him. I miss his face, his smell, his eyes, and the firm press of his hand on the small of my back when he holds me close. I even miss the way he purses his lips when he’s displeased. I hate that I miss it. I hate that I miss him…after everything he’s done
The Unfortunate Trilogy Chapter 67: His Heart
KADEHe stared at Kathryn. His heart raced, and his pulse pounded like crazy in his neck. Nine, a Fortunate, could it be? Vince threw his tantrum, but it was white noise to the thrum of Kade's soul as it vibrated within him. The more he stared at Kathryn, the more he absorbed her features, the more he saw Nine in her. The violet irises. The auburn hair. The heart-shaped face. "Bullshit," Vince boomed. "Do you think I'm stupid? That I'm dumb enough to believe that she is of the same blood as me?""Believe what you want. She is my daughter, and you can test my blood to prove it."Kade flicked his attention over the council members. They looked disgusted. They looked embellished in scandal. Within the hour, the whole of Freeport would know about this. "How did this happen, Kathryn?" Rita asked, sitting forward."I was very, very young when I fell pregnant, barely completed my education." Choking, Kathryn dropped her head and took a breath. Her husband placed his hand on her shoulder and
The Unfortunate Trilogy Chapter 66: The Twist
NINEThe chamber room is as it was when I left it, minus Thirteen's crumpled body. I kneel on the floor, keeping my attention cast down. The only other person in the room is Kade, and he leans against the opposite wall, staring at me. Both of us are covered in dry mud, and Vince made sure we couldn't get our story straight prior to summoning the council. I don't know how he will spin his tale to get me out of this. I don't want him to get me out of this. Maybe this is for the best. In a few minutes, the meeting will start, and I'm a goner. "You said you loved me."I flick my gaze to his and hate the way my heart beats for him, the way it bleeds for him. My love for him has worsened every second in his presence since I realised it. Like an infection, he's poisoned my blood."I do," I say, my voice void of the tenderness I feel inside. "Do you?""Yes.""You've got a funny way of showing it." "If I kissed you and declared my love for you, would the outcome be any different?"He swallow
The Unfortunate Trilogy Chapter 65: The Chase
KADEHe chased her. His heart pounded a million miles a minute, and his lungs burned, but he kept pushing. The sun bounced off her auburn hair like a beacon. He had to catch her before someone saw her running, but damn, she was fast. Nine sprinted through the bush and manoeuvred around the debris like she'd done this run a million times. Sticks stabbed his ribs and cut at his face, his neck, but he didn't slow. He couldn't slow. In a few minutes, he entered a clearing, and ahead of them was a wide lake. Nine ran toward it like she knew how to swim. She didn't. Freeport was surrounded by lakes. Unfortunates weren't taught how to swim for that very reason. Even so, her feet sank into the mud that lined the lake's edge. She fell into it and kept going, dragging her feet behind her, digging through the sludge like she had a chance. He shouted her name as he closed in on her, but she kept pushing. His shoes sunk into the mud, and he had no intention of going further into the sludge. "A
The Unfortunate Trilogy Chapter 64: The Chambers, Part 2
I don't want to believe it, but deep down I know it to be true. I gaze at the whip in his hand. It looks nothing like the whips I saw in the unfortunate camp. It lacks metal accents and has no pieces of bone strapped to its delicate tips. Still, it looks like it can do a fair bit of damage. Kade brandishes the whip, lifting it above his shoulder, and brings it down with more power than I imagined him capable of. It snaps against her skin with a crack so loud it hurts my ears. It takes her a second to feel it. Her shrill scream comes a heartbeat later. It gets louder and louder until she catches her lips between her teeth and swallows as much of it as she can.Thirteen. She's supposed to endure thirteen of these lashings? I choke down my own pain in fear of making it worse for her. Selfishly, in fear of making it worse for myself. I look at Kade. If it's something he doesn't want to do, I can't tell by looking at him. The expression on his face gives no indication of how he might be f
