Chapter 29: The Fountain, Part 1

KADE

As the sun set below the horizon, the Sario courtyard came to life. It sparkled and dazzled, and Fortunates complimented him on the decor—something he had no part in. He thanked them anyway, then turned away, finding solace in his glass of whiskey, but no matter how hard he tried to ignore her, he couldn't. The hair on the back of his neck remained raised, and the tiny dancers on his skin continued to pirouette.

He glanced at her as he tipped the remnants of his drink down his throat. She stood a step behind him, a pillar of grace with her fingers threaded behind her back, draped in a long, deep navy tunic that matched his three-piece suit. It was her first time wearing a First Unfortunate tunic. It signalled that she had settled into the role and was ready for whatever duties he requested of her. She was clean, her skin glowing under the warm twinkle of lights, her long auburn hair draping down her chest. His stomach pulled tight, and he choked on his whiskey as flashes of her b