Chapter 142 The Reaper’s Confession
\[Lilia\]
It’s been hours now that I've been dancing nonstop. My feet hurt, and heavy nausea struck my head. My stomach is threatening to retch again, but I keep swallowing the sour acid surging up my throat. The mixed-up scent of perfumes filling my nostrils exacerbates the horrible sensation inside me.
One last spin, and the song finally ended. Me and my dance partner, whose name I didn't have the pleasure of knowing, or maybe he might have mentioned it, but I'm too far gone in my haze to even catch it. We both moved back a few paces and curtsied to separate ourselves from one another.
Before anyone could ask for my hand to dance again, I feel like my ankles swell, and if I'm not going to give it a rest, I don't think I could walk for a week.
I hurried to the less crowded part of the ballroom and hid behind the large pillar. There was a single stool in there, and I quickly dumped my butt in it. Sighing out in relief as the pressure on my feet suddenly released.
How on earth could they do this? It's my first and, not to mention it, my ball, to begin with, yet I already detest the mere concept of this kind of socialization.
I was curling and uncurling my toes underneath my gown, straightening my legs and letting the blood flow again. I tugged the knot on the mask and took it off, then inhaled deeply, clearing my airways from the suffocating scent of all their perfumes. I'll be safe here from those wolves and hide for a good hour before I can show myself up through the crowd.
My stomach gnaws. Then I remember I haven't eaten anything yet since Todd and his make-up team readied me. However, I am afraid to leave my spot, knowing that if anyone sees me, I'll be dragged into the dance floor again.
I guess I’ll wait for a while till I recover my strength.
I stay in this spot for a little while, away from the scrutinizing gaze and the leeching bastards wanting to get on my grandfather’s good side.
That peace lasted only for a moment when I felt a presence coming from behind.
However, before I could even turn and decline the innovation, a familiar voice suddenly dropped along with my heart and stomach plummeting to my feet.
“So it’s true, then.”
I froze. I forgot how to breathe. Slowly, I turned and saw an imposing man in an elegant, three-layered royal blue suit. He radiated power and wealth. His mask covered his entire face, leaving only those striking mossy hues to glint through the eyeholes.
“Kael...”
I shot up from the stool, the pain in my feet forgotten. I wanted to hug him, kiss him, touch him—to see if he was real or just a dream conjured by my longing.
“You weren't kidnapped. So, you chose to leave?” His voice was grave, his eyes darkening as he swept his gaze over me.
“You’re here,” I whispered.
“You didn’t answer me, kukla.” Kael moved closer, and the nostalgic masculine scent of him my own scent of euphoria filled my senses.
“No... I was taken forcibly. I didn't know about Pa until I was brought to him,” I said, shaking my head to clear the trance.
“Is that what you call the old cretin? Pa?” Even through the mask, I could feel his dangerous aura. He was boiling with rage.
“He’s my grandfather, Kael,” I responded weakly. “How’s Sasha?”
“She’s healing.”
Relief washed over me. I felt so guilty for refusing to go with her, for the look of betrayal on her face.
“What are you doing here?” I asked dumbly.
“Seriously, Lilia. Of all the people in the world. Why does it have to be the De Luca?”
In one fluid motion, he grabbed my shoulders and pressed me against the pillar. He didn't push me hard, but it was enough to pin me. I didn't feel the pain in my back; I only felt the heat of his body.
“You think I chose this?” I mumbled, gasping for air.
“Then why didn't you come home?”
Home. The way he said it softened my heart. Was the mansion my home? I had spent ages trying to escape it, yet here in this palace, treated like a princess, I felt like a stranger. I loved him, but I knew I was just his pet. His doll. The object of his pleasure.
“I couldn’t.” I brushed his hands off and pushed him away. The cold air filled the gap between us like a physical weight.
“You couldn’t, or you didn't want to?” he asked coldly.
“You must understand, Kael. Pa is the only family I have. I’m his blood.”
He snickered as if it were a joke. “What about Aya? Sasha? Val? Aren't they your family? How about me?”
“You hardly even treat me as anything other than your pleasure,” I groused, the anguish in my voice like barbed wire in my throat. Tears welled, but I pushed them back.
“You couldn’t mean that. Damn it!” Kael ripped off his mask and tossed it aside. He crossed the gap in one stride and held my face tenderly. “You have no idea how much it drove me insane when you were taken. I would have raised the fires of hell to get you back. I thought they were going to kill you.”
Now that his mask was off, I could see the strain and wariness in his eyes. He looked exhausted, yet still devastatingly handsome.
“You must truly despise me by now,” I whispered, closing my eyes against the palm grazing my face.
“That’s the thing, doll. I didn't. I couldn’t hate you, no matter how hard I try.”
“Kael...” My eyes flew open.
“Lilia, my beautiful doll.” He smiled—a gentle, real smile I had never seen before. “I don't know how to say this, but I couldn’t live the rest of my life knowing you aren't by my side.” He rubbed his thumb over my cheek.
Then he uttered the words that changed everything.
“God, I fucking love you.”
He pressed his lips to mine, kissing me deeply and greedily. Just how I liked it.