No Cage In This Silent Night Chapter 03

No Cage In This Silent Night Chapter 03

Margaret Draven stood at the estate entrance, scanning the driveway.

Elyse hopped out of the car and ran to her, looping her arm through Margaret’s.

“Margaret! It’s so windy—why are you out here? Let’s go inside.”

Margaret beamed, her face softening with genuine warmth.

“Waiting for you. I felt bad sending you to be Kael’s assistant. That boy’s difficult enough.”

Elyse glanced at Kael, lips quirking. Her ears went pink.

“Kael’s wonderful. I don’t mind at all.”

The two started toward the house. Margaret made it five steps before remembering, turning back to cast me a distant glance.

“Lyra’s here too. Come in, don’t catch a cold.”

Kael fell into step beside me. Frowned. “In a bad mood?”

“No.”

Just done.

He pressed his lips together. “If work’s stressing you out, leave it at the gate. I don’t want a cold face at dinner.”

My hands tightened at my sides. Prickles of pain. Mostly, I felt the absurdity.

For a second, I almost thought he’d notice something was off.

I stopped. Met his eyes without a shred of expectation.

“If I’m unhappy, I’ll show it. Don’t like it? Don’t look.”

“I’m not your attendant. I don’t exist to meet your needs.”

Kael’s mouth flattened.

“Lyra, you’re an adult. Our ceremony’s coming up. I don’t want my Luna to be an emotional mess.”

I laughed.

“Then who meets your standard?”

He paused two seconds. I knew he already had an answer.

“Whoever it is, you’re my Luna. But I suggest you learn from Elyse. She manages her emotions well. Understand?”

I held his gaze for a long moment.

Then I smiled.

“Fine.”

Inside the estate dining room, Margaret placed Elyse and Kael on either side of her. I found a seat where I wouldn’t intrude.

When the dishes came out, none of them were safe for me.

Margaret patted Elyse’s hand warmly.

“Look how thin you are. Even as a training assistant, you need to take care of yourself. Kael specifically asked the kitchen to make your favorites.”

Elyse ducked her head, smiling. “Thank you.”

Margaret paused, glanced at me with an awkward twitch of her lips.

“Lyra, I didn’t know what you liked. Just try whatever’s here.”

Kael cut into his steak.

“Tell me ahead of time what you want next time. I’ll have the staff prepare it.”

“You don’t really have a preference anyway.”

“Not like Elyse. She’s a sugar addict. Like a kid.”

I stared at the mango dessert on the table. Lost time.

I was allergic to mango.

Five years. Together five years.

What I liked, what I didn’t. He needed it spelled out.

But he knew every detail of Elyse’s preferences. Every word he said was just another dig at my failure.

My phone buzzed.

My boss: Flight info. Tomorrow, 8 a.m. Greythorn City Airport.

I felt the relief wash over me.

I didn’t touch the dessert. Kael didn’t notice.

I was just a bystander. Watching the three of them fit together like a flawless orchestra.

And I didn’t fit. Didn’t want to.