Set In Sparks (Morningstars Book 2) by Sam Destiny Page A

again.
    “You came,” she finally brought out and he nodded, taking her hand as the music started. She had no idea how, but he instantly fell in the rhythm and led her to perfection.
    “I promised I’d be here, and I’m done breaking promises,” he assured her, gently leading her in circles. Only faintly she heard Kendrick’s explanations about starting with the left foot and then moving on with stepping forward. She just followed Jaden’s lead, a little hurt about the fact that they stood exactly at arm’s length.
    “What’s with the face?” Jaden wanted to know and Maya met his eyes. She could see the doubt and hesitation in them, felt the distance between her and her mate, but she was glad he was there. She counted it as a start.
    “You’re too far away,” she pouted, actually making him laugh. It was such a nice sound, her insides tingled and she felt a grin split her face.
    “It’s the position you hold while doing ballroom dance, cupcake,” Jaden smiled, shaking his head. “Look around.”
    She did, and instantly her eyes landed on Kaden and the raven girl. He looked genuinely happy; something Maya hadn’t seen in quite a while. It drove a spear into her own happiness.
    “She’s simply a girl he used to know,” Jaden said ever so softly and Maya felt even worse because she couldn’t just be happy that he came. Looking back at him, she smiled.
    “That’s fine. I wasn’t … actually, I won’t lie to you. No more half truths or secrets,” she announced quietly and then shrugged. “The way she looks at him it’s pretty obvious she’s more than someone he used to know. But it doesn’t matter.” She was terrible. She should be relieved Jaden was there, and she should try to make things right between them. Instead, she felt like crying by the way this woman looked at Kaden, the man who Maya had refused time and again.
    Jaden now stepped closer, enveloping her in his warmth. “He loves only you,” he assured her, kissing the side of her head. “After this is over, we need to talk, Maya,” he then added and Maya groaned. She hated that sentence more than she hated broccoli, and she really didn’t like that vegetable.
    He chuckled, wanting to say something, but Kendrick suddenly stood next to them, squeezing his arms between the two. “Distance, your majesty. The waltz is an elegant dance, not some reason for couples to grind together,” Kendrick told them with a disapproving glance. Jaden stepped back, smirking at her over Kendrick’s head. “I don’t care how royal you are, etiquette counts in those circles,” he went on and Maya nodded, lowering her eyes before she burst out laughing. It was sweet having Jaden there to joke and laugh with, but she could see the tense lines on his face and felt the strain in his muscles. She had no illusion about them being okay, but she knew there, that moment, that they would be.

    “So, that’s her.” Ciarda’s words pulled Kaden from staring at Jaden and Maya, who looked everything the happy couple he knew them not to be. “She’s actually…”
    “My mate.” Wow, it felt weird saying it out loud. It felt even weirder saying it to Cia. He hadn’t seen her since a night six months ago when she had told him to get lost, only she had used a different wording.
    Cia’s had snapped back to him, her blue eyes blazing, and he smiled slightly. “Fucked up, huh?”
    She only shook her head, reaching out to brush his cheek. Once he had lived for those little touches, then suddenly everything had changed. Maybe he shouldn’t talk to her about Maya.
    “I’m sorry, this is not a good topic,” Kaden said before Cia managed to get a word out.
    “Kady, I want to be your friend and this is obviously something that bothers you, so we can talk about it. If you stop stepping on my toes that is,” she fussed with a smirk and Kaden bit his lip. He knew he should be leading, but he couldn’t help watching Maya. She had hurt so much the last day he just