“Listen, Eden,” Kiran began. He took a step forward and my outstretched hand into his to unfasten the handcuff, “I wanted to apologize for last night. We were having a fantastic time and I picked a fight with you. I'm sorry for that.”
I looked up, surprised by the sincerity in his voice and relaxed a little. “I forgive you,” I conceded with the tone of a true diplomat. “I also apologize, for letting you antagonize me. I really should know better.”
“You really should,” he mumbled, trying to hide his amusement. He took my other hand in his and unlocked that handcuff as well.
I rubbed at my wrists, thinking they should be raw or tired, but thankful to find neither true. Kiran reached for the first velvet box he had set on the bed and opened it for me. Inside was a gorgeous bracelet, twelve rows wide, of tiny black diamond studs that glimmered in the light.
Kiran showed it to me in the box, before taking it out and offering it for my hand. I let him clasp it around my wrist, wondering at its shimmering beauty and exorbitant price tag. I had never worn anything that expensive in my life.
“It's stunning,” I gasped, holding up my hand to better light.
“Eden, it's full of the same magic that those handcuffs have, so at least try to pretend that it bothers you around my father,” Kiran chided. I whirled on him, expecting him to be angry or that I would need to defend myself, but he was already reaching for the other box trying to hide traces of laughter from his face.
“I'll try.” I gritted my teeth in irritation, although I couldn't be sure if I was irritated with his flippant attitude or Lucan's ugly, manipulative schemes to hide the fact that I was a prisoner.
“Don't be angry when I open this next box,” Kiran warned. His jaw clenched and the look in his aquamarine eyes told me he was bracing himself for a fight. “I asked Sebastian to pass the word along to Titus, who in turn asked your brother, who then asked Sylvia if she could return the onyx necklace and your engagement ring. So, Sylvia passed the jewels along to Avalon who passed them along to Titus who recently found a way to smuggle them to Sebastian. That is how they got here, there is no reason for you to panic or accuse me of violating your trust or Sylvia's house and so forth and so on,” Kiran explained in a droll voice that demonstrated his distaste for my protective spirit over Aunt Syl and my family.
“If only I believed you,” I mumbled, even though I did.
I suspected Kiran called my bluff too because instead of arguing with me, he opened the box and removed the ring and necklace. He handed me the necklace and I slipped it over my head automatically, the dark pendant falling in between the low-cut neckline of my gown and matching perfectly with the soft silk of my bodice.
“If you don't mind....” Kiran stepped closer to me and I instinctively drew my hand behind my back. “It feels more believable if you let me put it on,” Kiran explained.
With mild hesitation, I offered my hand which he took into his own. A shaky, measured breath exhaled from him and he slipped the ring onto my finger. For a moment, I was taken back to the first time he gave me this ring, alone in his apartment, laying on the floor together, the perfect evening and all the love in the world.
A few hours later that memory turned into a cruel nightmare and I lost everything I loved.
Although I got some of what I loved back and even more if you count Jericho, Kiran's betrayal would never be forgotten. The pain of that night and the ensuing nights would never go away. Even through this humiliating charade tonight, I would not forget how Kiran used my love to manipulate and then betray me.
I tried to mask the contempt I felt for the large emerald glistening on my ring finger. It represented something far worse than handcuffs or a tracking necklace; this was something of emotional value that I let define my future. The ring defined me.
I cleared my throat and Kiran stepped away from me, dropping my hand that he had held so gently. He looked up at me, recognized the traces of disgust I desperately tried to hide, and smiled ruefully.
“Let's go so we can get this over with.” He held out his elbow to me and I hooked my arm with his, allowing him to lead me out of his room and down the winding staircase.
“Kiran, I know this might sound weird coming from me....” Kiran tensed next to me, waiting for whatever trivial thing I chose to argue with him about this time. “I just, I'm new to all of this, and I need to know if there are any like rules or mannerism things I need to know about. I don't want to embarrass you,” I finished sincerely, thinking of Lucan's much needed approval.
Kiran paused at the base of the staircase and looked at me like I had been abducted by aliens. “You don't want to embarrass me?”
“Come on, I'm taking this seriously! From this point on, I am the doting, adoring fiancé. You can trust me,” I whispered, already taking on the affectionate tone I used with him once upon a time.
Kiran hesitated. I watched him shift uncomfortably back and forth, unnerved by my dedication to the role. “Of course,” he agreed in a throaty voice. “I don't think there is much to know that you don't already know. Curtsy to my mother and father the first time you are presented to them, but after that there is no need to continue curtsying. Tonight is only an hors d'oeuvres reception so as far as food goes, just don't pick anything up with your hands. Always eat everything, no matter how small or inconvenient, in several bites with your knife and fork. Other than that, no one will bow or curtsy to you or anything and you are free to talk with anyone that is at the reception because they are all invited guests.”