More silence. Then the scraping of a chair. The door opened and Derek’s unshaven face appeared in the crack, his blue eyes burning into mine.

“Well?”

“May I come in?”

Derek looked at me witheringly. But then, to my surprise, he conceded. He opened the door. I stepped into his study and stood at the end of his desk.

Derek too remained standing, still staring at me, his fists clenched.

I felt intimidated by his stare. The hair on Kiev’s arms prickled.

Chill out, Derek. Geez…

I took a deep breath before beginning. “I’m not a man of words, Derek. I speak through action. I had hoped that you might read into my actions, and not require me to articulate them. But I suppose sometimes words are more direct.” I paused, waiting for Derek’s reaction before continuing. His gaze remained steady. “You’re a busy man and I don’t intend to keep you. So here it is: I’m sorry.”

I held my breath, scrutinizing Derek’s face for any hint of acceptance. Of reconciliation.

Although he still kept a poker face, his fists loosened. I reached out my hand.

Come on, Derek. Take it.

He stepped forward and gripped my hand. Hard. I wasn’t sure whether this was more passive-aggression, or whether Derek always shook hands like this with men. Whatever the case, Kiev’s visit had been a success. A handshake was more than I’d been expecting to get.

As we stepped apart, he gave me a nod. I couldn’t keep the smile from my face. I hoped it didn’t look goofy.

Although I could have prolonged my stay to seal the deal further, since I now sensed a fair amount of leeway with Derek, I didn’t want to run the risk of the spell wearing off.

“I’ll be on my way now,” I said and backed out of the room.

“Ben,” Derek called.

Ben appeared in the doorway—too quickly. I suspected that he’d been eavesdropping.

“Show our guest out.”

Guest. Another grin split my face.

I followed Ben through the glass-covered walkways to the main entrance hall. He eyed me curiously as I exited through the door. Before he shut it, I turned around and gave him a small smile. Reaching out, I patted him on the shoulder.

“Thank you, Benjamin. And… I’m sorry.”

He looked at me, confused, as though unsure of how to react. Then he returned a smile, nodding like his father.

Once the door had clicked shut, I rushed into the elevator.

Now I’d better hurry and find the real Kiev before he shatters my illusion.

Chapter 6: Sofia

I raced back to the Sanctuary. Corrine kept me locked up in her bedroom until the spell wore off a couple of hours later. It was a relief to be out of Kiev’s skin and back into my own.

Kiev’s clothes baggy around me, I changed back into my own clothes before hurrying back to our penthouse. Now, it was time for Derek to bite into some humble pie.

“Derek?”

Silence. It seemed that Ben and Rose weren’t in either.

I headed straight for my husband’s study. He wasn’t there.

“Derek?” I called again.

I tore through the apartment. All the rooms were empty. My heart sank.

I hope he hasn’t gone to visit Kiev.

I hurried out of the penthouse again and headed for Eli’s tree. Derek might have gone there to discuss the plans he’d been reviewing. I raced up to his penthouse and knocked on the door.

Footsteps sounded and Adelle appeared, wearing a dressing gown. I stepped back, momentarily speechless.

“Um, hi, Adelle. Is Derek here?”

She looked bashful, her cheeks flushing. “No, he’s not. It’s just, uh, Eli and me. I can fetch Eli if you want.”

“No,” I said quickly, “don’t worry. I’ll look elsewhere.”

What business would Adelle have in Eli’s apartment, dressed like that? While I was happy to assume that Eli had finally found himself a girlfriend, I was also saddened. I knew my father liked her. I hoped their new relationship wouldn’t crush him. But I had no time to fret over this now.

My heartbeat doubled as I descended Eli’s apartment back to the forest ground.

Where could he be? Think.

The truth was, as king of the island, he could be anywhere. Our assistance could be required at any time, on any part of the island.

I decided to check Vivienne and Xavier’s apartment first. Perhaps his sister would have a better idea where he’d gone.

Thankfully, I didn’t need to travel that far. I caught sight of Derek strolling through the woods with Matteo.

I caught up with them.

“Hi, Matteo,” I said.

He smiled back. I turned to my husband.

“Derek, I’m in a hurry,” I said, “Ashley invited me over to her place and I’m late. I’ll catch you later, okay?”

I wrapped my arms around his neck and planted a kiss on his cheek. Reaching my hands into his hair, I plucked a strand as I drew away from him.

He winced.

“Sorry, my bracelet got caught… I’ve got to go. I’ll catch you later. Bye, Matteo.”

“Bye, Sofia.”

I hurried off, clutching Derek’s hair triumphantly in my palm.

* * *

I returned to the Sanctuary to find Corrine still waiting in her bedroom.

“You said you’d be gone fifteen minutes.”

“I’m sorry. Derek wasn’t in the apartment,” I said. “Anyway, here’s the hair.”