The Shadow Kingdom

Chapter 10 - First Date

I awaken to another brisk, winter morning in New York City. I squirm around on the ridiculously large and comfortable bed, imagining what it would be like to wake up here everyday. Maybe a year from now, that will be possible. Adrian still owes me a date, and we'll see where that goes. Eventually, this whole debacle with my paternity will be resolved one way or another. And then I will be reunited with Alex.

But what would Alex think? How would I explain all of this to her? Would the overseers allow one special concession? Maybe Adrian could facilitate that.

"Morning." Diana appears at the door. "Clearly, my brother doesn't mind you sleeping in his bed. I wonder if that says something."

"Hey." I smile at her and wipe my face, trying to appear livelier.

"How are you feeling?"

"I have a major headache. Apparently, magical liquor comes with a magical hangover."

"It takes some getting used to." She comes to sit on the bed. "I have to jet. My lord father called me back to Shanghai."

"You're leaving?"

"My assignment is over. The bad guys are dead, and the police have no leads or witnesses."

"But what about me?" I make a whining sound as I speak. "Don't you still have to protect me?"

Diana grins. "I'm not your babysitter. Adrian will take care of you."

I hug the pillow and frown. "Will you and I see each other again?"

"If you and Adrian get married, yeah probably," she replies. I can't tell if she is being sarcastic. "Take care of yourself. And also, be good to Adrian. If you hurt him, you'll have to answer to me."

"I would never hurt Adrian." That comment affronts me.

"I mean it." Diana's tone turns serious. "Adrian has a bad track record when it comes to women. The way he looks at you tells me that he genuinely feels something. Don't abuse that." Bad track record? I haven't given any thought to Adrian's past love life.

"Thank you for taking me out last night. I needed that." The memory of all our supernatural debauchery makes me grin. "You know, you were kind of a bitch when we first met. Adrian said I had to get to know you in order to like you. But now, I have. And I do like you."

She chuckles. "You were right when you said we have a lot in common. I know what it feels like to be powerless. And I swore a long time ago I would never feel that way again." She brushes my hair behind my ear. "See you on the other side, warrior princess." And with that, she is gone.

I force myself out of bed at around ten o'clock, still fighting this stupid hangover. I wander around the house, looking for some aspirin. Today is Saturday, so Adrian shouldn't be working, but I don't see him anywhere in the house.

I find a note in the living room that reads: "I thought of something special. Open the box. I hope I got your measurements right." I open the large white box beneath the note. Inside is a red, sleeveless, open back, Rubin Singer cocktail dress with a slit at the side. There is also a box of high-heeled ankle boots. I smile to myself. This looks like something one would find on the Neiman Marcus website!

I go upstairs to try on the dress, and it fits me perfectly. I add some makeup and curl up my hair in order to complete the package. As I stare at myself in the mirror, I feel kind of like Cinderella. I'm about to go on a date with the crown prince – the crown prince of a supernatural, criminal empire but a crown prince nonetheless.