14. Sam

Iwatch from a distance as a security guard approaches Mila, his tall frame towering over her petite form. My heart clenches with concern, and I take a step forward, ready to intervene if needed. The guard’s quizzical glare is intimidating, even from afar, and I can only imagine how Mila must feel under the weight of his scrutiny.

“I saw you skip the line, mademoiselle. Do you have a ticket?” the guard asks in English, his tone firm and unyielding. He must assume Mila is a tourist, and I suppose in a way, we all are—outsiders in this city of light and wonder.

I watch as the color drains from Mila’s face, her pale complexion turning ghostly white. She wrings her wrist anxiously, her pink lips mouthing soundless words as she struggles to find a response. “I...” she manages, blinking rapidly, and my heart goes out to her.

Finally, I reach Mila, slipping between her and the security guard. “It’s alright. We’re leaving,” I say, resolved as I sweep a hand around my friend’s arm and all but drag her away from the towering figure.

The guard remains undisturbed, his piercing gaze tracking our every move as we ascend the stairs and leave the exhibit room behind. My heart pounds in my chest, a mixture of adrenaline and fear coursing through my veins.

We cover the Opera’s grand hall with speedy strides, my hand pushing against the heavy doors until we finally make it out of the beautiful architectural beast. The fresh air hits my face, and I take a deep breath, trying to calm my frayed nerves.

As soon as we’re in the clear, I stop and turn to face Mila, my eyes narrowing. “Mila,” I all but hiss, my voice rising with each word, “what are you doing here? Are you following me?” If the pitch of my voice goes any higher, I’ll be squealing.

Mila’s expression darkens with distress, her brow furrowing. “Sam, I had to come,” she says, her tone grave and heavy. She swallows hard, tugging a stray lock of fawn hair behind her ear. “I saw you sneak out of the manor. You were with the Draken boy...” She purses her lips, and I can see the concern etched on her face. “You need to put a stop to this. It’s dangerous.”

“I know that!” I snap, exasperation bubbling up inside me. Gods, that was so mean. I hold my breath for a moment, trying to cool off my temper. “But Mila... I can’t.” A pause, my determination strengthening with each passing second. “I won’t.”

“Listen...” Mila’s demeanor softens as she takes my hand in hers. “Let’s talk in that cafe over there.” She points to a small bistro across the street, her eyes pleading. “You can make your choice when you hear what I have to say.” My friend gives me a bitter smile, and a sense of unease settles in the pit of my stomach.

“Alright,” I mumble, nodding my head in agreement.

When we make it to the small shop, dark clouds gather above us, the air turning cool and moist. A gust of wind picks up my hair, soft strands caressing my cheeks... Gooseflesh shoots up my arms. A bad omen.

I pull out a chair and sit down warily, my mind racing with the possibilities of what Mila might know. And I’m not sure I want to learn what that is.

A server arrives, and Mila has the gall to order ice cream, her face brightening with childlike glee.

“Do you want some?” she asks, her voice dripping with adorable naivete. You’d think we were here simply to hang out, without a care in the world.

I pass on the offer with a dismissive wave of my hand, my appetite long gone.

“Are you sure?” Mila quirks up an eyebrow, her eyes twinkling. “I hear their chocolate ice cream is to die for,” she says, her voice giddy and carefree.

I heave a sigh, my patience wearing thin. “I’m all ears, Mila.” The words come out of my mouth reluctantly, a sense of dread creeping up my spine. “What is this news that cannot wait?”

Mila’s face straightens, all traces of humor vanishing in an instant. She waits for the server to leave, then leans in closer, her voice low and conspiratorial. “There’s been talk in the clan ever since Bram Draken stormed into the manor.”

“There’s always talk in the clan,” I dismiss with a scowl, my frustration mounting. “Our brothers are gossipers par excellence!” I choke out a dry laugh, hoping to alleviate the tension, but Mila’s expression remains flat as a board.

“Sam...” she begins, her stare darkening with each word. “Nikolaas Draken is a killer.”

Sheer black dread washes over me, my blood running cold. I frown in disbelief, my mind reeling. “What are you talking about?” I manage to say the words, my voice barely above a whisper.

“He was exiled from the Draken clan for nearly a decade...” Mila adds, her tone grave.

“Exiled?” I scrunch my nose, shaking my head. “I’m sure that’s not right.” She’s got it all wrong. “That’s not what I know, what I’ve heard.”

Mila shrugs her shoulders, her face impassive. “That’s what the clan says,” she rebuffs, as if the Ursa clan were an all-knowing deity. “If indeed he was banished by his own kin, then...”

I’m not liking where this conversation is headed, my heart pounding in my ears. “That was ten years ago!” I stammer, my voice rising with each word. “Nik was a child when he was sent away. Have you met Bram? The guy’s a fucking bastard! I’m sure when their parents died, he couldn’t wait to be rid of Nik.” My voice comes out impassioned, alight with fury and disbelief.

“My brother says Nik killed them,” Mila says, her tone wry and cutting, making me despise her, albeit briefly.

I wince, my stomach churning. “Killed, who?”

“His parents.”

My mouth slackens, my eyes widening in shock. “Mila!” I gasp, my heart sinking. She will stop at nothing to make me break away from Nik. “That’s completely ludicrous! You can’t believe these stories. They’re nothing but lies... They’re the clan’s propaganda to feed our hatred for the Drakens.” I pause, taking a deep breath to calm my racing heart. “That’s all this is.”

Mila’s ice cream arrives, and it’s the most beautiful dish I’ve ever seen. The rich, velvety chocolate is piled high in an elegant glass bowl, the surface smooth and glossy like a polished mirror, with two golden wafers and gold dust sprinkled on top. Gods, it looks delicious. I shut my eyes and shake my head, refocusing on the conversation at hand. “Anyway... who told Dima that ridiculous story?”

Even as the most gorgeous ice cream sits in front of her, Mila stares at me dead in the eye, her gaze unwavering. “It was your brother, Gavriil.”

“Of course he did,” I mutter, realization dawning on me. “Sickening politics... My brother’s favorite game. Trust me, this is all a sick ploy. I know Gavriil only too well.”

Mila dips her spoon in the cup, her eyes flickering to the dessert for the first time. “Maybe you’re right,” she breathes, her voice softening. “Maybe it’s just a string of lies.” She bites her lower lip, hesitation evident on her face. “But still, if Gavriil finds out that you’re seeing Nik...”

“He won’t,” I say, my resolve unwavering. “I can trust you, Mila... can’t I?” This last part comes out with overwhelming wariness, my heart clenching in my chest.

Mila pushes away the ice cream with the back of her hand, her eyes meeting mine. “Sam, your magic saved my mother’s life. I’m forever in your debt...” she says, a shadow of gloom fleeting across her countenance.

“I’m asking...” I manage, my voice trembling. “As a friend.” My hand reaches for hers, our fingers intertwining. “Gods, I wouldn’t dream of using your mom’s health as leverage. Who do you think I am? Ugh...” I wrinkle my nose in disgust at the mere thought.

“Of course you wouldn’t.” Mila gives me a warm stare, her eyes softening. “I’m sorry I followed you, Sam. I’m worried, that’s all.”

I give her a faint smile, my heart swelling with gratitude. “Don’t be.” My hold on her hand tightens, a silent plea. “Nik’s perfectly good to me... And oh, so hot.” My lips stretch into a malicious grin, heat rising on my cheeks.

Mila snickers, her eyes twinkling with mirth. “He is kind of hot.”

I start, shocked by her phrasing. “Kind of?” My eyebrows shoot sky-high, my mouth falling open in mock offense. “How dare you?” I tease, a laugh bubbling up in my throat.

“Okay, he’s super-hot,” Mila concedes, her cheeks flushing pink.

“Damn right, he is.” I nod, choking back a laugh. “And we’re going on a getaway this weekend.” I take the golden spoon next to her cup and play with it in my hand, my heart skipping a beat at the thought of being alone with Nik.

My dear friend freezes, her eyes all but bulging out of their sockets. “You... what?” Poor thing, she can barely speak.

“He has a small house,” I continue, dipping the spoon in the ice cream, the smooth, creamy texture making my mouth water. “And, guess where it is?”

“I don’t know...” Mila mumbles, her voice cautious and wary as she stares at me with undiluted apprehension. “But I have a feeling you’re gonna tell me.”

I purse my lips and scoop a spoonful of gooey, sinful chocolate ice cream, my taste buds singing with delight. “In Brittany.” My gaze cuts to hers, eyes sparkling with glee and anticipation.

Mila releases a brief gasp, her hand flying to her mouth. “Samara, you’re not seriously considering...?”

“I am,” I tell her, my voice unwavering and more gleeful than she was when she ordered her velvety treat. Nik is infinitely superior to any Michelin-starred dessert. I’ll eat him up in slow bites if I have to. The thought makes my heart sing, a warm, fuzzy feeling spreading through my chest.

“Can I count on your help?” I ask, my voice hopeful and pleading. “It’s the only way it’ll work.”

“Sam...” Mila’s voice is tormented, her face contorting with indecision.

“Please!” I beg her, my hands clasping together in front of me. “You wouldn’t have to lie! You’ve been meaning to visit your sister anyway...”

Mila sucks at her teeth, her eyes darting between me and the ice cream. “Alright,” she relents, her shoulders sagging in defeat.

I am beyond ecstatic, my heart soaring with joy. In one quick move, I sweep the glass off the table and pull Mila’s ice cream towards me. “Let’s order one more!” I say, dipping my spoon in the glass, the rich, decadent flavor exploding on my tongue. “My treat!”

Mila chortles a laugh, her eyes crinkling at the corners. “I told you... I knew you’d love it,” she scolds me warmly, her voice tinged with affection.

“Yes, you did,” I concede, a grin spreading across my face. “But then, you know me better than anyone, so it’s hardly surprising.” I wrinkle my nose and giggle, my heart light and carefree.

The next spoonful melts in my mouth, and I moan in delight, my eyes fluttering closed. “This is going to be the best weekend of my life,” I say, my voice dreamy and wistful. “I know it. I can’t wait for it to begin!”

And as I sit there, savoring the delicious ice cream and basking in the glow of Mila’s friendship, I feel a sense of hope and excitement blooming in my chest. Come what may, I know that this weekend with Nik will be a turning point in our relationship, a chance to explore the depths of our feelings for each other.

And with Mila’s support and understanding, I feel like anything is possible, like the whole world is at my fingertips.

I can’t wait to see what the future holds.