"I kissed her on live TV. Just to remind her who taught her how to burn."
---
NYRA VORA
The ballroom smelled like roses and lies.
This was my charity gala—my stage.
The cameras were rolling. The sponsors were smiling.
Ravian was watching from across the room with eyes full of confusion.
Kray wasn't far behind him, arms crossed, drinking me in like a warning.
Leo was laughing with the press.
Kai was behind me. Silent. Protective. Possessive.
Everything was perfect.
Until she walked in.
---
Celeste Mirza.
Blood-red gown. Backless. Slit up to her thigh.
Silver earrings shaped like daggers.
Eyes like ice. Smile like war.
And every step she took toward me sounded like a threat.
> "Oh no," Kai muttered behind me.
> "Oh yes," I whispered.
---
FLASHBACK – 2 YEARS AGO
Meher Vora.
Miserable wife.
Dead woman walking.
And Celeste?
The runway queen I met at an event.
She kissed me behind closed doors.
Bit my lip during photo ops.
Told me I didn't need to be saved—I just needed to be set on fire.
We weren't healthy.
We were dangerous.
---
PRESENT – STAGE
I stepped up to the podium.
Smile sharp. Diamonds louder than my voice.
> "This night is for second chances," I said.
"For the broken. The burned. The ones who rise."
Applause.
Then—
Heels. Clicking. Closer.
And suddenly, Celeste was beside me.
Smiling.
Wild.
> "You forgot someone," she whispered.
Before I could react—
She kissed me.
In front of everyone.
In front of Ravian.
In front of Kray.
In front of the world.
Slow. Deep. Bold. Claiming.
I didn't move.
Didn't pull away.
Because I remembered that taste.
How she used to kiss me like she wanted to consume.
---
AFTERMATH – BACKSTAGE
The cameras still flashed behind us.
Kai tried to follow.
Celeste blocked him with a look.
> "We're not done," she said to me, gripping my chin.
"You died. Then you rose without me."
> "You left," I whispered.
> "You told me to."
> "You kissed me in public," I growled.
> "So?" Her grin was sinful. "You like it rough, remember?"
She walked around me slowly, dragging her fingers down my bare back.
> "All these boys…"
"But who kissed your scars first, hmm?"
> "You're not part of this story," I said.
> "Then why am I the only one who makes you forget his name?"
---
RAVIAN – ACROSS THE HALL
His jaw clenched.
He had just watched the woman who haunted him be kissed by a woman who looked like a storm.
He didn't know what scared him more—
The kiss... or how much he liked the way she melted into it.
---
NYRA – LATER THAT NIGHT
Alone in my room.
One lipstick stain on my neck.
A text from Celeste:
> "Don't worry, baby. I'm not here to ruin your plan. I'm here to ruin you."
And beneath that—
> "PS: Kai looked like he wanted to kill me. Make him wait. You owe me one last night."
---
💋 End of Chapter 10
---