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“What do you mean? Is someone keeping her from you?” Zander asks, aggression bleeding through at the thought of someone holding his daughter captive.
“We’ll give you every detail,” Kai assures him before urgently stating, “but first we must speak with all the royals about a different matter. In private.”
“Now?” Kirian asks, joining our reunion with Quinn at his side. “It’s a bad time.”
As he glances at his granddaughter, he’s torn and reluctant because he has no clue about the emergency heading our way. And how could he? The meteor shower is something no one saw coming. Not even the royal astronomer.
Speaking of Oriantus, where is he? He should’ve barged in by now.
“We hate to wreck the party,” Kai says, “but we can’t stop the events that are about to unfold. We can only give as much warning as possible.”
I nod. “This can’t wait.”
“We could meet in the dining room for a brief rundown,” Kirian suggests as though he’s assuming the festivities will be able to continue after he gets the info.
During our conversation, curious partygoers have been getting up from the table to get a closer look.
A lot of the other royals have started coming this way, too. Damon and Whitley. Zella and Keryth.
The sound of crying makes everyone get quiet, and we all look to the devastated birthday girl. “Is my party over?”
“I’m not sure,” Danyetta replies softly to her daughter. “Maybe.”
Greenlee sniffles as she wipes her wet cheeks. “But I didn’t even get to blow out my candles, and they’re all melted now.”
She’s right. The candles are just pink puddles of wax pooling around four dying flames.
Four.
“Four candles,” Kai whispers harshly, and asking no one in particular, he questions, “She’s four years old? Not five?”
“Yes,” Torius answers, pushing his way through the people to get next to Kirian and Quinn. “What’s going on?”
Now that I’m looking around at the room, I notice the décor for this party is different than the one in Armand’s game. It’s not creature-themed with insects. Instead, flowers are everywhere. Roses, peonies, and lilies. Garlands are strung up on the walls, hung from the second-story balcony, and dangling from the ceiling. There’s no face painter and no one is making balloon animals.
Oh my God.
The world doesn’t end today.
“We have a year.” My grip on Kai’s hand tightens as glee fills me. “We have a whole year.”
“Fuck,” Kai huffs out with relief.
The tension drains from him until his limbs become jelly-like, and he sways on his feet like he might fall over.
Immediately, someone pulls a seat away from the table and slides it our way. As soon as it’s within reach, Kai grabs the arm and collapses onto the upholstered cushion. Taking me down with him, he hooks an arm around my waist so I’m firmly planted on his lap.
A caterer shoves a goblet of water at us. Accepting it, I bring it to Kai’s mouth, encouraging him to take small sips. Even though he’s this big bad warrior type, he lets me fuss over him in front of all the bystanders.
Then he pushes the cup away and motions for someone to take it so my hand is free.
“I just want your touch, Sunny.” Kai places my palm on his left cheek and nuzzles it.
And I do what he needs. I kiss the scar on his forehead while petting his face, his neck, his shoulders, and his back. I rub him everywhere and he soaks it up unapologetically, without a hint of self-consciousness.
“Give them space,” Kirian commands, motioning for people to back away.
They reluctantly obey, but not without some gossip. Several of them whisper about our pairing. I catch murmurs about how we’re an odd couple and one person says something about Kai’s skin.
