E


    It happened again.


    I was walking toward Alexander when my knees suddenly buckled beneath me for a second time. This time, I had nothing to catch myself on and I felt myself pitching forward toward the marble floor.


    But strong arms caught me before I could hit the ground. Alexander’s hands moved across my waist, gently tugging me up and into his embrace


    “Are you alright?”


    I blinked, trying to clear the dark spots that had appeared in my vision. When my sight returned, I saw green eyes staring down at me with concern, and then it hit me-I was pressed firmly against Alexander’s sturdy chest, palms syed across the firm muscles, the scent of bourbon and woodfire smoke so strong, it blotted out all else.


    My heart pounded. Stupid, traitorous little thing


    “1-1, um… I’m not feeling so well…” I started to respond, but then, over Alexander’s shoulder, I saw Gabriel watching from across the room. His mouth was set in that familiar disapproving line.


    Immediately, I snapped my mouth shut, biting y tongue. Gabriel was waiting for me to show weakness. Waiting for me to prove that I was the weak, pathetic excuse for a Luna that he thought I was.


    Maybe it was juvenile of me, but I wouldn’t give im the satisfaction.


    “I’m fine,” I recovered quickly, stepping back. “My shoes are just killing me. These heels are way too high.”


    It was a believable excuse. Every woman at this event was wearing ridiculously tall heels, and I’d certainlyined about sore feet before. Alexander’s eyes searched my face for a moment, and it seemed like he wasn’t entirely convinced, but he didn’t push it.


    “Actually,” he said, reaching into his jacket pocket, “I have something that might cheer you up,”


    I frowned, watching as he pulled out a small velvet jewelry box. “What’s that?”


    “I saw it at one of the auction tables and thought of you.” He opened the box to reveal a delicate silver bracelet with a tiny cherry blosson charm dangling from it. “I know it can’t rece what you lost tonight, but…”


    My breath caught. The bracelet was beautiful-suple and elegant, perfectly feminine and


    Chapter III


    understated while having enough shine to it to catch the eye. The cherry blossom charm was perfectly detailed, each tiny petal etched painstakingly into the silver.


    “Alexander, you didn’t have to-”


    “I wanted to.” He lifted the bracelet from the box and gently took my wrist, fastening the sp with careful fingers. The metal was cool against my skin, contrasting sharply with the heat of his hand, and the charm caught the light from the chandeliers above us.


    For a moment, I just stared down at it. Alexander had bought this for me. He’d seen it and thought of me, thought it might make me feel better after what happened with Lilith’s locket. Maybe he did care about me, at least a little bit. Maybe-


    Before I could finish that thought, a camera sh went off nearby, followed by another, and reality crashed back down around me.


    Of course. Of course this wasn’t a genuine gesture. Alexander had spotted the photographers circling us like vultures and decided this would make a perfect photo op. The devoted husbandforting his wife after an unfortunate ident, buying her jewelry to rece what was lost. It was exactly the kind of image his campaign needed.


    I felt my face go nk as I looked up at him. “Thank you. It’s lovely.”


    “You’re wee,” Alexander said, and if he noticed the change in my tone, he didn’t mention <ol><li></li></ol>


    I forced a smile as more cameras shed, lifting my wrist so the bracelet was clearly visible. The photographers ate it up, snapping picture after picture of Alexander’s romantic gesture. I wondered how long it would take for the photos to hit social media,plete with captions about what a perfect couple we were.


    “Should we head back inside?” Alexander asked. I think they’re about to start the live


    auction.”


    I nodded stiffly and let him guide me back toward the main ballroom with his hand on my lower back. The bracelet felt heavier now, less delicate. It was beautiful, but suddenly, I wasn’t sure if I even wanted it.


    The rest of the evening passed in a blur. Alexander and I bid on a few items-nothing too expensive, but enough to show that we were participating. I made small talk with other Lunas about charitable causes and pack politics.


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