Page 72 of Empress of Ruin
It’s Raegan’s husband that greets us at the door when we arrive. He’s a stout man somewhere in his fifties, with kind eyes and an easy-going smile. He seems to be Raegan’s counterpart in every way that could be imagined.
What’s far more surprising is that we’re not the only guests tonight. Carter’s here, along with…fuck me.Annalise.
We see them shortly after we enter, speaking with Raegan in the foyer. I glance over at Lyra, who’s staring at them with wide eyes, as if her friend is an apparition.
She turns to me with an expression of vague horror. “Killian,” she whispers. “What have you—”
“Ah, so lovely to see you.” Raegan detaches herself from the happy couple and slinks closer to us, extending her hand to Lyra. “My dear, you look splendid. Enjoying the early days of engagement?”
Lyra manages a smile that looksveryconvincing. “Very much,” she says demurely. Her cheeks even tinge with a faint blush.
I’m not sure whether or not she’s lying anymore. This isn’t the time or place to ask, either.
“I wasn’t aware you were having other guests,” I say calmly, handing Raegan the bottle of wine I fetched from my cellar. Her eyebrow arches as she glances over the label, and she gives me a nod of approval.
“Last-minute addition,” she explains. “Carter had some business to discuss.Youhave some business to discuss. I figured I could kill two birds with one stone.”
Anna and Carter approach us, and Lyra stiffens ever so slightly. Raegan misses nothing, her sharp eyes taking in the interaction, and a smile spreads on her lips. She’s fuckingamused, at my Lyra’s expense.
“Anna,” Lyra says, offering a strained smile.
“Lyra.” Anna’s greeting sounds more like a question. Her gaze flits between us, then zeroes in on Lyra’s engagement ring.
This is not a complication I expected. Neither is Carter’s presence, frankly. Neither of them are supposed to be here. Tonight is for me to speak with Crow, the member of The Eyes and try to get her vote, not Raegan, the meddling hostess. Carter’s presence could ruin my mission.
“Carter.” I shake his hand. “What are you doing here?”
“Same thing as you.” He gives me a thin smile. “Hedging my bets.”
I arch an eyebrow. This isn’t the first Eyes social function where I’ve run into him, but it is the first where he’s been invited to the privacy of someone’s home. He’s obviously here pursuing an agenda that involves the Eyes. We’re going to have a nice, long chat regarding what the fuck he’s playing at. I do not appreciate being blindsided by an ally.
Unless we aren’t allies anymore, and he’s backing Silas.I wouldn’t put it past Carter to switch sides if it benefits him. Which still leaves the question of what thefuckAnnalise is doing here.
“You’re… engaged,” I hear Annalise breathe.
Carter slants her a thin smile. “Shouldn’t we pass on commendations to thevery happycouple?”
“It was a bit of a whirlwind.” Lyra gives a strained laugh. “I didn’t see any of this coming…”
“I imagine all the more so since you and Killian spent some months apart.” Raegan gives Lyra a challenging look.
To her credit, my Lyra doesn’t bat an eye. “Yes, well, after the…incidentin the media took place, I wanted to get away from the states for a while. I’ve never had a desire to be recognizable, andcertainlynot for a fake video.”
“Well.” Raegan clears her throat. “I’m so pleased for the both of you that you’ve had such a happy reunion. And, Carter, it truly is a pleasure to see you. You and Killian seem to know each other—are you friends?”
I let Carter answer. Whatever he says will be telling.
“If I made investments as idiotic as having friendships, yes, I’d consider him a friend.”
Comforting.
“Why don’t we get to dinner, dear?” Raegan’s trophy-husband slides an arm around her waist, resting his hand on her hip. “We wouldn’t want to miss the first course.”
For the first time since I’ve known her, I watch Raegan softer just a little bit. Enough for me to clock her family as her greatest—and possiblyonly—weakness.
“Yes, that would be nice.”
We migrate into the dining room which boasts a high ceiling with gothic metal light fixtures, a stone table, and large windows overlooking a lake.
