The Heiress He Underestimated novel Chapter 78

Chapter 78 Under The Skin

“Elera,” he breathed. “You look… god, you look like a queen going to claim her throne.

“Maybe I am,” she said, surprising herself with the boldness of it.

He crossed to her, moving more steadily today, and took her hand. He lifted it to his lips and kissed her knuckles, old–fashioned and courtly and so at odds with the modern, ruthless businessman everyone thought he was.

“Whatever happens tonight,” he said quietly, “whatever gets revealed or exposed or thrown at us, just remember this. You’re mine and I’m yours. We’re partners. And nothing anyone says or does can change that unless we let it.”

Elera felt something crack open in her chest. “You really mean that.”

“I really mean that,” he confirmed. “Now let’s go show the literary world what we’re made of.”

This time they rode in the same car, Frost in the front, two more security vehicles ahead and behind. The drive into the city felt different tonight. Like they were driving toward something that couldn’t be undone.

The Grand Celeste Hotel was even more spectacular tonight, lit up like a jewel box. The main entrance was a madhouse of photographers and fans, all hoping to catch a glimpse of the mysterious Raven Shadowmere if she actually showed up.

But they weren’t using the main entrance. They had a different plan tonight.

The car glided around to a private side entrance, one that required special clearance. They were escorted through a series of back hallways and into a private suite on the second floor. From here, they could access the ballroom through a VIP entrance that would put them right at their table, bypassing the chaos of the main floor.

Clara was waiting for them in the suite, looking frazzled but determined. She’d clearly been put in charge of getting Raven Shadowmere to the ceremony, which meant she was basically herding smoke.

“You’re here,” she said, relief flooding her face when she saw Elera. “Thank goodness. I’ve been fielding questions all day about whether you’d show. And then someone leaked to the press that Raven Shadowmere is definitely attending tonight, so now it’s absolute chaos out there.”

“Who leaked it?” Elera asked sharply.

“We don’t know. It wasn’t anyone from the foundation. Someone just sent an anonymous tip to three major outlets about an hour ago.” Clara looked worried. “Elera, I think someone’s trying to force your hand. Make you show yourself publicly.”

Lyra. It had to be. She was trying to create a situation where Elera would have no choice but to reveal herself as Raven, probably hoping it would cause chaos and destroy her relationship with Drakonius.

Well, two could play that game.

“Clara,” Elera said carefully, “if I asked you to make an announcement tonight, to introduce Raven Shadowmere in a specific way, could you do it?”

Clara’s eyes went wide. “You want to reveal yourself? Tonight? Publicly?”

“Maybe. I don’t know yet. But if I decide to, I want to control how it happens. Not let someone else force it.” She glanced at Drakonius, who was watching this exchange with interest as some distance but not interrupting. “I need options.”

“I can do that,” Clara said slowly. “I’m introducing you anyway, for the award. I could… I could make it more significant. If that’s what you want.”

“Let me think about it,” Elera said. “I’ll let you know before the ceremony starts.”

“No,” she said honestly. “It’s actually good. Really good. It’s just… it’s mine. It’s something I built on my own, separate from my father and from you and from everyone else. And I wasn’t ready to share it yet.”

Tears pricked her eyes. “You mean that.”

“I always mean what I say to you,” he said simply.

A knock on the door interrupted them. It was Clara again, looking even more stressed.

“It’s time,” she said as Elera went over to meet her. “The ceremony’s starting in fifteen minutes. I need to know, Elera. What do you want me to do?”

Elera looked at Drakonius. At his steady, gray eyes. At the man who’d given her a bracelet that connected their heartbeats who is also her partner.

Then she looked at Clara, at her loyal, brilliant editor who’d kept her secret for years.

And she made her choice.

“Here’s what we’re going to do,” Elera said, her voice strong and clear. “You’re going to introduce Raven Shadowmere exactly as planned. You’re going to say she’s here tonight. And then…” She took a deep breath “And then you’re going to invite her to come to the stage to accept her award.”

Clara’s eyes went huge. “And will she? Will you?”

Elera smiled, sharp and fierce. “Let’s find out.”