Kiss Me in the Dark Anthology - Monica James Page 0,95

At least officially, because his heart still belonged to my sister.

On the day I found out, I sat at my desk in my room when someone knocked and then Dad stepped in. He’d sent me to my room a couple of hours ago like so often in the months since Fina had been kidnapped and even now that she was back. Everyone thought I was too young to understand what was going on.

“Sofia, can I have a word with you?” Dad asked. I looked up from my homework with a small frown. His voice sounded off.

“Did I do something wrong?” It was the only explanation why Dad or Mom would seek me out. They’d been too busy since the kidnapping, so I was used to being on my own or with my cousin Anna. I wasn’t mad at them. They were hurting so much. I just wanted things to return to how they used to be. I wanted us to be happy.

Dad came over to me and touched the top of my head, his eyes sad. “Of course not, ladybug.”

I smiled at the use of my nickname. It always reminded me how much he loved me even if he couldn’t always show it because of how bad things were.

“Let’s sit over there, okay?” He pointed toward my pink sofa. He walked over to it and sank down, looking tired. I followed and sat beside him. For a long time, he didn’t say anything only regarded me in a way that made my throat feel all tight.

“Dad?” I whispered. “Is Fina okay?”

“Yeah…” He swallowed and took my hand. “You know we have rules in our world. Rules we all have to follow. Danilo can’t marry Serafina anymore and so we decided that we’d promise you to him.”

I blinked, shocked. My belly fluttered madly. “Really?” I cringed at how excited I sounded.

Dad’s eyes softened further. He squeezed my hand lightly. “In many years, you’ll marry him. After you turn eighteen. So you don’t have to worry about it now.”

Six years and six months. “Is Fina sad?”

Dad smiled. “No, she knows rules have to be followed.”

I nodded slowly. “Danilo really wants to marry me when I’m grown up?”

I couldn’t believe it. He was so handsome and clever. Serafina and he had looked like monarchs beside each other, like a Disney dream couple.

Dad kissed my forehead. “Of course, he does. Any man would be grateful to have you as his wife. He chose you.”

I beamed up at him.

He pulled me against him with a deep sigh. “Oh, ladybug.” He sounded sad, not excited, and I wasn’t sure why.

I’d dreamed about Danilo all night. I couldn’t wait to talk to Anna about it. She’d come over today before she and her family had to return to Chicago.

I’d woken before sunrise, too giddy to find rest.

Lying on my belly on my bed, I couldn’t stop writing Danilo’s and my name over and over again, no matter how childish it was. Sofia Mancini sounded perfect to me.

A knock sounded.

“Come in!” I called and quickly hid my silly drawings from view.

Fina stepped in, blonde hair trailing beautifully down her shoulder. She was in simple jeans and a T-shirt and not wearing make-up, but she was still the prettiest girl I knew. Why would Danilo choose me over her? She was already grown-up. She was the perfect princess for someone like him.

I looked away from her, ashamed that I was being petty. Fina had been kidnapped. She was hurt.

“I wanted to talk to you about Danilo. I assume Dad already talked to you?”

“Are you mad at me?” I asked, worried that Fina felt bad because she was now without a future husband.

“Mad?” she asked, looking confused as she walked over to me.

“Because Danilo wants to marry me now and not you.”

“No. I’m not. I want you to be happy. Are you okay?”

Despite my embarrassment, I showed my scribbling to her, wanting to share it with someone else.

Fina’s eyes widened. “You like him?”

“I’m sorry. I liked him even when you were promised to him. He’s cute and chivalrous.”

Fear of her reaction blasted through me but she surprised me when she bent down and kissed my head. Relief flooded me.

Fina fixed me with a warning look. “He’s a grown man, Sofia. Many years will pass before you’ll marry him. He won’t come anywhere near you until then.”

“I know. Dad told me.” I didn’t mind waiting and I was proud that Danilo agreed to wait for me many years. That meant he