I see a tear slip down her cheek. It catches the light of the chandelier and looks golden from where I stand.
A single gilded tear.
She shakes her head at me.
“Let me do this, Artem,” she says. “Tell your men to put down their weapons.”
“Esme—”
But my words are drowned out by Budimir’s laugh. “It seems you overestimated her affection for you, dear nephew.”
Then he glances at Esme and extends his hand out to her.
“You’re a smart girl,” he murmurs. “And you’ve made a wise decision.”
I stare in shock.
Esme steps forward and puts her hand in Budimir’s.
What the fuck is happening right now?
I know Esme.
The Esme I know would never choose Budimir over me.
I meet her eyes, those beautiful honey-gold eyes that lit a flame in my chest so long ago. A flame I’ve never let die. It feels like the ending of a chapter.
My heart aches.
Then she moves so fast, that it takes everyone—including me—a moment to catch up.
The hidden blade in her hand slashes through the air and into Budimir’s throat. He doesn’t see it coming until the blade has buried itself to the hilt.
His eyes go wide in horror and shock as he realizes the mistake he’s made.
He let Esme get too close.
He let his guard down.
And it cost him his life.
That’s the price of underestimating Esme Kovalyov.