Vance stood at the window. He saw Dace when she emerged from the door. She looked forlorn, a small gray ghost moving through the street below. He let his mask slide from his face. It hurt to see her walk away.
He could have her, just by saying the word. She would come back. She would wear his ring and marry him. He had seen that in her eyes. She would stay with him and try her best to love him. She was loyal, more than he would have believed possible.
Eventually it would turn to hate. She would never forget how he'd used her. He had no choice. It had hurt him too much to watch her. He'd run away, hiding under the pretense of work. He was a coward. She had more courage than he would ever have.
He could still see her, walking slowly through the crowd. She would willingly marry him. Their engagement would no longer be a farce. He could promise she would never see his mother again. He would do everything he could to make her happy.
He knew in his heart it would never work. He had to let her go.
She turned a corner, out of his sight. He sighed heavily and turned back to the desk. He had one more task to finish. He sat at the desk and pulled the printout closer. He knew the words by heart, he'd labored all night to write them. He signed his name and sealed the paper closed. He addressed it to his father.
He hoped his father would understand.
Silk rustled behind him. A faint perfume drifted into the room, one that reminded him of ice and cold winter mornings.
He turned away from the window.
The woman shut the door, closing them into the small room. She moved forward, her trailing white dress brushing across the floor. A veil hid her face and shrouded her upper body. She pulled a glove from one hand, taking her time to pluck it free one finger at a time.
Vance shifted his feet. He'd heard rumors of the woman, a friend of his mother. "Did you need something from me? I don't know where the Lady Candyce has gone." His voice was swallowed in the silence of the room.
The woman swayed as she stepped closer. She lifted her hand, silver nails catching the light from the window.
Vance stood his ground as she approached. Whatever she wanted, he couldn't provide it. He was done with his mother and her machinations. He'd find a quiet planet and disappear. At least for a while.
The woman's slender hands moved in a graceful dance to music only she could hear. He watched the silver flash as she raised her bare hand, reaching for his cheek. He toyed with the idea of pulling the veil free and exposing whatever she hid beneath it.
She laughed, low and throaty. "You've been a naughty boy, Vance Shiropi." Her fingers trailed over his skin. She flicked her nail, lightly scratching his cheek.
He caught her hand, pulling it away from his face. Her skin was cold. "Did my mother send you? You can tell her I want nothing to do with her. Not anymore."
"Poor Candyce, turned in by her own son's paramour. Is that why you brought that woman here?" She slid her hand free of his hold.
Vance gritted his teeth. He glared at the woman's veil, as if wishing could let him see through the lace. "I don't want to play her games."
The woman swayed close, her skirt brushing his legs. "Too late." Her words whispered from under the concealing layers. Her hand closed on his wrist, her nails drawing blood.
He jerked back, retreating from her. The woman had to be insane. He rubbed the scratches on his hand. They burned.
She laughed as she tugged her white glove back in place.
Vance staggered. "What did you do?"
"It's a variant of dreamdust, darling. In a moment, you'll do whatever I ask of you. You'll tell me everything. And then you'll die."
He snatched at the veil and tore it free. The woman was young, her skin and hair pale in the artificial light of the room. Her lips quirked in a smile that didn't touch her icy blue eyes.
"Sonja?"
She rested her gloved hands over his lips. She leaned close to whisper, "Never speak my name. Tell me about Admiral Dace. Who is she?"
He tried to shake his head free. He trembled as a wave of dizziness claimed him.
"Don't resist, love. The more you fight, the more it will hurt."
Her breath brushed over his cheek, her lips tickling his ear. She brushed against him as she lowered her veil once more.
He bit his lip, fighting the urge to speak. She shifted behind him, her hands running along his arms. The silk of her gloves slipped over his skin. The drug slid through his veins, irresistable and seductive. He shivered under her soft touch, cold as ice.
"Tell me, Vance."
Her whispered words echoed like thunder in his mind. He dropped to his knees as the world exploded in colors. He told her everything as her drug tumbled him into madness.