(AMARI'S POV)
My life stopped being easy when my father died.
I was thirteen and thrown into a reality that required more than I ever imagined I could give.
Coming this far, I have one special rule that has saved me too many times.
There must be a way out. And the faster one searches for it, the quicker it is found.
I'd been thinking of a backup plan since Kaelen announced our trip, and as we boarded the large aircraft, two plans clashed in my head.
Plan A. If I go home to find the house messed up, to find that Elara and Al are missing, then I will surely pretend to be clueless and terrified. Perhaps Alpha Kaelen would help us then. He may also find out through that, that Talon deceived me and that he is the enemy.
Plan B. If I go home to find that my family is dead? No. No! He won't do that. Talon won't do that! But he is a monster and he has no—
"As Amari would say: dear Goddess of the realm." Rudina's sharp voice broke my train of thought.
I glanced sideways. Kaelen was looking at me, a glint in his eyes that made my cheeks go hot. I turned to Rudina with a glare—but she wasn't even looking at me. She was staring, mouth open, at the entrance of the private jet.
I followed her gaze.
And stopped breathing.
The inside looked like a palace carved into the sky. Cream-colored leather seats—so wide and deep they were more like thrones—faced each other in pairs, with small mahogany tables between them. The carpet beneath my feet was thick, plush, so soft I felt like I was walking on clouds.
The walls were paneled in dark, polished wood that gleamed under the warm glow of golden lamps tucked into the ceiling.
It looked too perfect to be real. But it was.
The air smelled clean—like fresh linen and something expensive I couldn't name. No recycled vents. No stale seats. Just quiet luxury.
Rudina's mouth was still open. I couldn't blame her. Mine probably was too.
A young woman in a navy uniform appeared from the front. She bowed slightly.
"Alpha Kaelen. Good morning." Then she turned to Rudina and me. "Good morning. This way, please."
She led us to the left side of the cabin, where two large cream chairs faced each other with a small table between them.
"You'll be seated here," she gestured.
I glanced at the opposite side. A long sofa was set up.
Rudina and I slid into our seats. The leather was soft, warm. It seemed to mold around me, holding me gently.
I didn't belong here. Every inch of this place spoke of wealth I couldn't imagine.
"This is wrong," Rudina whispered as she leaned over to me. "I feel so guilty in awe of all this because I should be thinking of Al."
I smiled sadly at her. "Al would be mad if you don't enjoy the experience and tell him all about it when you see him."
A slow, small smile climbed her face. "He's going to go berserk."
She rested back in the seat and sighed deeply. I noticed from the corner of my eye that on the right side of the cabin, Kaelen settled into his own seat—a single chair facing forward, away from us. He didn't look our way.
The space between us felt like a room of its own.
The woman in navy appeared again. "Anything to drink before takeoff?"
"Water," Kaelen said without looking up. "Ladies?"
Silence.
Rudina turned to me, I ignored her look.
"Water is fine." I answered.
The woman nodded and disappeared.
The quiet settled in. Rudina and me on one side. Kaelen on the other.
I leaned back just like Rudina and closed my eyes. I was ready to pretend throughout the flight that Kaelen was not seated right over there. I wasn't looking for ways to heighten my anxiety.
I don't know how long I had my eyes closed. I did hear someone bring what I assumed to be water to the table, but I was too comfortable to move an inch.
Then came the safety briefings and takeoff announcement. And then—loud, sharp, sudden intakes of breath accompanied by soft whimpering.
My eyes flew open immediately.
Rudina had changed her position to a curled-up position, her forehead touching her knees. I knew immediately she was having a panic attack.
I jetted out of my seat and crouched opposite her, my hands on her shoulders.
"Rudina, I need you to please look at me." My hand tried to cup her face gently.
"W-We-We're l-l-l-leaving th-the g-g-ground."
"And that may be scary, but it's only temporary, my love. Please look up at me." I tried to hold her face again, and this time she let me.
Her body was shivering so bad that my hands shook too.
"Open your eyes, Rudina," I said in a soft, stern voice.
She opened her eyes, but her breaths were coming out sharper.
"Deep breaths, my love. Deep breaths," I eased gently. "Do this with me. One, two, breathe. One, two, breathe." I repeated until she followed and her breathing stabilized.
"Good. Now please name five things you can see. Any five things," I encouraged, my focus staying on her.
"Your blue eyes," she began lazily.
"Great, my blue eyes," I urged.
"Your ash veil, your mother's pendant…" Her eyes glanced sideways. "A black wristwatch." Then her attention moved upward. "The real Kaelen."
My heart sank. I turned quickly to Kaelen, who was standing just behind me. It took everything in me not to drop the hold on my sister's face.
"Perfect, now talk to me about your best subject in school," I continued despite my frantic heart.
As Rudina blabbed about computers, I could feel Kaelen's eyes boring into the back of my head. It took everything in me to stay focused, and I did.
Rudina finally calmed down, and I raced to sit beside her.
"That was impressive," Kaelen said.
I looked up to see him hand Rudina a fluffy-looking ball. She collected it.
"When I flew for the first time in seventeen years, which was four years ago, by the way. I messed up everywhere with puke."
Rudina pulled a sick face, and I couldn't help but smile.
"My sister gave me that ball," he nodded at her hand. "It looks cute, but it has some tech magic. It calms you down."
"Thank you," Rudina said tiredly.
"No, thank you. For now and in advance for not puking."
She smiled this time, and his expression softened a breath. Then he glanced at me.
"If you want to eat or drink anything, raise your hand."
No emotion, just his perfect face. Then he turned around and walked away like he was on a runway.
And just like that, I knew how to breathe normally again.