Reign of a King (Kingdom Duet 1)

Since then, all I’ve ever done is win.

Aurora follows soon after. From my peripheral vision, I catch a glance of her gazing at the door of Alicia’s room with a nostalgic, almost tearful expression.

After rebirth, people tend to never look back. To pretend like they’re newly born.

Not Aurora.

Her past has grown roots so deep, she couldn’t get rid of them even if she tried.

And for that reason, I’ll dig them up one by one.

Sure, I could’ve come with more underhanded methods. Threatening her company and her best friend could be only the beginning.

If I choose to, I could crush her and watch her wither to nothing at my feet.

But where’s the fun in that?

Besides, I’ve grown to like the slight spark in her ocean eyes when she decides to challenge me, or the grumpiness whenever she begrudgingly agrees to my demands.

Falling under my influence will come naturally to her. Eventually.

In the dining room, I sit at the head of the table and she takes what’s usually Levi’s seat on my left.

That punk will throw a fit if he sees someone else in his place, but it’s not like he ever shows up anymore.

For long seconds, Aurora and I eat our spaghetti à la carbonara in silence. Or, more accurately, I eat. She picks at her food, twirling the pasta around her fork, but barely brings anything to her mouth.

She did the same last night. I thought it was because she was nervous or out of sorts. Turns out, it’s a habit.

“Are all dinners going to be like this?” she finally asks, boredom clear in her tone.

“Like what?”

“Like a funeral home. I’m used to chatter and people. I usually have dinners at Layla’s family restaurant, where everyone is speaking and discussing the latest news or just…talking.”

“Talking without a reason is idiotic.”

“Are you calling my friends idiotic?”

“You’re the one who just did.”

She narrows her eyes, that spark rushing to the surface with a vengeance, but she quickly smothers her expression. It’s fast, almost imperceptible if I hadn’t been focused on her face.

She might share Alicia’s physical appearance, but she’s nothing like her sister.

Aurora is a fire where Alicia was earth. Deep and silent and everyone could step on her.

Aurora would burn anyone before they even attempted to.

“Surely you usually talk about something. How about if Aiden were here?” I don’t miss the way her voice lowers when she says his name.

Guilt. Again.

This time, I can guess why. The fact she didn’t make an effort to meet her nephew before now is eating at her.

And because she was careless enough to show me that bit, all I can do is use it.