Chapter 28

“Ruby!” Daniel exclaimed as he opened the door, “Come on in, I have wine, cocktail mixes, what would you like?”

I stepped into his apartment, marvelling at the beautiful decorations and tasteful lights hung around the walls. “After the last time, I think I should just do water.” I said as I hung my jacket on the coat hooks.

Daniel ushered me inside, “Oh come on, just one drink? I will if you will.”

I smiled, “Just one, but no more. I don’t think I can handle another hangover this soon.”

He laughed, and poured us both a glass. The dining table was already laid out with places and silverware, with several candles lit in between the dishes.

“You really didn’t have to do all this, Daniel.” I said, pulling my chair in. “When you asked if I wanted to have dinner with you, I really thought you meant takeout or something.”

Daniel shrugged, walking into the kitchen to retrieve a plate of cheeses and crackers. “We’re friends, and besides, I haven’t hosted in a while. I thought I’d do something nice.”

Daniel was really too kind. I picked up my wine glass and swirled the dark red liquid around the sides, but the sloshing reminded me of the blood I had seen spilled from his body in my past life. I put it down, suddenly dizzy.

“Are you alright?” Daniel asked, eyeing me curiously.

“Oh, I’m fine, sorry, just tired with everything going on. The Alpha Ball, and the wedding…” I trailed off, sighing.

Daniel looked into my expression intently, and took my hands in his over the table. “That’s actually what I was hoping to talk to you about tonight, Ruby.”

“What do you mean?”

“You’ve seemed different lately. Ever since you called off your wedding to Lucas and got engaged to Caleb of all people.” He raised his hands in mock innocence. “I know you’ve told me he isn’t as bad as he always seemed, but I just don’t understand.”

“It’s hard to explain,” I said, looking away from him. How could I possibly explain everything, my rebirth, the visions of the past I keep seeing, and even his own violent death?

His chair squeaked as he leaned back, “You know I won’t force you to tell me anything. But Ruby, I’m worried about you. It’s my job to keep you safe, and I take that very seriously. I can’t do it if you won’t be honest with me.”

He was right, I knew that. By keeping everything from him, I was not only pushing one of my closest friends into the dark, but I was keeping us both more vulnerable to danger. He needed to know.

I explained as much as I could to him. I couldn’t reveal my rebirth for both of our safety, but I told him everything else. About Lucas’s betrayals, the bet between him and Caleb, and finally the truth about our contracted marriage.

“We both want to take down Lucas for our own goals, and this was the best way for both of us to get what we wanted.”

Daniel shook his head, “Are you sure? You really have to go as far as marrying Caleb? He’s been nothing but a torment to you for as long as you have known him!”

It was frustrating, but I needed Daniel to understand. ”We can’t do it without each other. Lucas’s claim to the throne is more legitimate if his brother doesn’t have a wife and the possibility of producing an heir. Plus, I’m more able to use my connections in Prenia and those of my parents if we are legally bound together.”

“I just…” He paused, holding his head in his hands, and for a moment I thought the craziness of everything would break us apart.

But then he lifted his gaze to meet mine, and got down on his knees in front of me.

“Daniel, what—“

”Ruby, I will never leave you. I am sworn to protect you, and I will uphold that vow until my dying breath.”

“Daniel, it won’t come to that—“

“But if it does, I will die happily knowing it kept you safe.”

A tear ran down my cheek, and I wiped it away quickly, not wanting him to see me in pain. Even if he didn’t know it, I swore in my heart just as deeply to protect him.

The rest of the dinner that evening was uneventful, but it was a huge weight off of my chest to know that I could fully trust Daniel with the secrets of my arrangement with Caleb. It had been so long since I was able to discuss things freely with a friend, and it made me feel amazing.

When I arrived home that evening, I walked through the main entrance of Caleb’s building, thinking I could borrow an extra pillow without his noticing.

Instead I walked directly into him lounging in one of the chairs in his sitting room.

“Oh, I didn’t mean to interrupt.”

He waved the words away, “It’s fine. Did you need something?”

“I was just going to see if you had any spare bedding, the air vent by my bed makes it a little chilly at night.”

Caleb nodded, “I’ll have someone bring them to you. They’ll knock on your door when they’re ready to drop things off.”

“Thanks,” I said, offering a small smile.

He nodded, and looked me up and down. “It’s pretty late. Are you hungry? I made dinner earlier, there’s still some left I could reheat for you.”

I raised an eyebrow, “You made dinner? I had no idea you could cook.”

He shrugged, “I’m actually excellent in the kitchen, some women say I’m even better there than I am in bed. How about we see what you think?” He winked at me with a devilish expression.

“No, that’s not what…” I trailed off, blushing furiously. “I just had dinner with Daniel, so I’m actually not that hungry. I’m just going to go to bed.”

Caleb’s face didn’t change, but his body stiffened slightly at my words. I wasn’t sure what I had said, but suddenly the air was thick with tension.

“So that’s where you were all evening,” Caleb said, turning away from me and pocketing his phone. “I was wondering, but apparently I didn’t have to worry since Daniel was watching out for you.”

“He was. He’s my guard, it’s his job.”

“Oh, I bet he does a good job, doesn’t he?”

I scoffed, I didn’t have to take this from him. “You know you don’t have to be an ass about this. I might be your fiance, but you don’t get to tell me who I can meet and where I can go.”

“Right. Good night Ruby, I need some sleep if I’m going to do my job tomorrow.” With that, he stormed up the stairs to his rooms.

“Good night!” I said incredulously, frustrated by how quickly he pushed me away without warning.

After I climbed into bed that night, I screamed into my pillow. I was supposed to marry this man. What the hell had I gotten myself into?