“You once knew me as Nicholas. But now, I fear you know me by another name.”
I waited for the pieces to pull together. I tried to think deep within my mind of a man—a boy—someone I couldn’t quite
see. Yet, the name Nicholas sparked something within my mind and my heart. Though I somehow knew the name, I couldn't
seem to find the face to pair it with. I searched for those familiar blue eyes. No matter how hard I tried to deny it, I knew what
the answer to my next question would be.
“And who do I know you as now?”
Right before my eyes, the illusion around his features disappeared. There standing in front of me was Lord Cole. I dropped
my hands from his.
“Lord Cole Reidin,” I breathed, tears welling up in my eyes.
My stomach turned to knots. He’d left me. He left knowing that he was my option. The one Father wanted me to originally
marry, and he still left.
He could have apologised.
Perhaps there was still time? Maybe if he came with me now to Father’s chambers—without Mother seeing—he could
apologise. Then I could ask to not marry Dorian, but Cole instead. Yes, that would work.It would have to.
“That won’t work, I’m afraid.” He ripped the thoughts right from my mind as he answered my next question.
Bile crept up within my stomach along with my wrath. Rage deep within me was ready to burst out.
He stepped back and tucked his hands into the pockets of his trousers. Waiting for my reaction as I stared back at him. His
two images merged into one.
The whole life he told me about played in my mind. How his father sent him here to attend the festival. The number of
women he was known to lay with. The man I met in the forest. The one who saved me from dark creatures. The same one who
slow-danced with me. The one who made me feel things no other person ever has.
“You told me you were leaving! You’ve lied to me this entire time,” I shouted, shaking with anger.
I began to pace the balcony as my mind raced with every encounter. Every moment I’d spent with him both as Cole and him
as my shadow man.
“Are you real?” I demanded.
“Just as real as you and everyone else in this place.”
His sarcasm was starting to get on my nerves. As I shot him a look and found him smirking at me, I began pulling out the
stupid diamond sliders in my hair and unpin my curls. I needed something to do with my hands so that I would not strangle him.
I hated having my hair up anyways.
“Who are you? Cole? Nicholas? Which is it?” I demanded, stopping in front of him.