Dray steps away, leaving with the man who I barely remember as a father. The light, who have been unaware of my connection to the man they fear, haven't spared their horror stories of his merciless past actions. The daunting reality of where I come from has left me with more scars than night stalkers have.
"You look so much like your mother," he says softly, his eyes looking too much like mine.
"Have you talked to her since her return?" I ask curiously, clearing my throat from the unexpected dose of emotion I feel.
"No, but I'm sure she's been too busy to take my calls. There's no doubt it was traumatic. I'll make someone regret having ever touched her as soon as Thad fills me in on who it is. He claims you're helping him track down leads. Is that something you want to do?"
Is he really trying to get to know me, or is he just prying? I hate this. It's hard to tell when he's playing mind games.
"Is that rhetorical? My mother raised me by herself from the time I was ten. Of course I want to find her captors."
"I'm sorry if I upset you, Air-" He stops in the middle of the wrong name before taking a deep and calming breath. "Alyssa, I didn't intend to bring out any anger. I just didn't want you to feel as though my hired hand was making you try to keep up with him."
"Thad is actually letting me tag along for the most part. He knows this is important. He's not forcing me to do anything. So... when's the wedding?"
He lets his laughter roar free, and in that instant, I feel Cruella's eyes on me, daring me to give her a reason to strike. I don't even look in her direction. I'm sure Drackus has noticed it though. Our conversation stays quiet, not reaching the strained ears of anyone else.
"No date as of yet. If I marry her, it'll be many, many years from now."
"If? This is your engagement party."
He smiles at me with condescension following his gaze.
"I had to appease her. She's incredibly annoying when she doesn't get her way. She's paid her dues to me, staying here in my magical prison. It'd be rather cruel of me to deny her at least an engagement."
He speaks as though he's doing her some monumental favor by simply letting her wear his ring. His ego is far more expansive than I even thought.
"Do you love her?"
A shade of pain glazes his eyes, but he shakes free of it quickly. My unexpected presence tonight didn't surprise him, but that question seemed to.
"I've only ever loved one woman, and for reasons beyond our control, I couldn't keep her."
"Who?" I ask curiously, not really knowing much at all about him as far as his personal life goes.
His lips thin, a deep emotion stirs in his eyes, and then the moment of vulnerability is broken as Cruella sweeps in.
"Darling, I believe it's time I dance with my future husband. I'm sure my son can entertain the young girl you keep straying to."
Her chilled comment almost leaves me with a shiver, but warmth fills me as Gage's eyes find mine, a small smirk playing on his lips. Drackus shifts uncomfortably, his eyes silently warning Gage, and then reluctantly releases me into the wonderful folds of the dark user.
Gage stifles a grin when Drackus whispers something in his ear, doing well to escape my ears. Amari seems unaware of what's being said as well. I'm almost worried she's going to have an aneurism from the strain she's exerting in an effort to eavesdrop.
Drackus finally pulls back and shakes his head before joining his bride in a dance.
Trying to remind myself my dad is on the verge of marrying his mom, I offer Gage a respectable gap between us as he takes my hand in his and pulls me at the waist.
"You seem a little stiff," he teases, pulling me closer against my efforts to stay away.
"What did Drackus say to you?"
He lets a snicker escape, and then he shrugs. "He told me to keep my hands where he can see them. I'm also not supposed to be alone with you at any time during your stay here."
"My stay here? I'm leaving soon. Very, very soon."
"It's dark, Alyssa. He's not going to let you leave so late unless he carries you home himself. You really want to risk heading back to the hotel to find Kane and Zee still waiting on your return when Drackus drops you off at the front?"
Crap.