I've never fussed much with my attire, but now I can't decide as I stare into my wardrobe. I don't dare ask Maybelle to assist me, as I'm sure she's not trusted in keeping secrets.

Hmm... do I don my normal dark choice or wear that white piece I wore to my dinner with Elle that shows a bit of skin?

I have an urge to ask Elle, but I know she disapproves of my seeing Rift again.

I decide to be authentic. I remove a sleeveless gold embroidered top from my wardrobe and loose black pants to compliment it. I slip my feet into gold sandals matching the embroidery.

Since I'd already had Maybelle braid my hair earlier today, I tuck a few stray wisps behind my ears as I stare into the mirror. I've left my wings out. Rift had mentioned liking them. I'll admit it's a relief, as it's uncomfortable and sweaty, keeping them pinned against the skin of my back all the time.

I take a deep breath and fasten some gold earrings in my ears. Time to have the first date of my life. Or is it the second?

I leap out the window, the sun has disappeared, and stars spatter the navy sky. I'm practically invisible, a small dark shadow flying over the palace, and with my speed, it isn't long before I'm back at Rift's comfortable little cottage. I approach his door and knock.

A woman answers the door. She's tall and beautiful in features with bright red hair crowning her head.

Her eyes narrow at me as if I'm an imposter. "You didn't mention you have a visitor tonight."

My heart drops. Who is this woman to Rift?

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to interrupt whatever it is you're doing," I hurriedly say, my face, I'm sure, awash with embarrassment.

"I didn't mention my visitor because it's none of your business! Mother, you don't have to be rude!" Rift snaps, and relief settles over me.

"Hello, I'm Ky—" I begin.

"The Cursed Princess, is it?" The red-haired woman wrinkles her nose as if disgusted by me, and I don't know why I am quite disappointed in myself. It's not the first time someone has made such a face at me, but this woman is Rift's mother, and because of this, I realize her opinion matters to me.

"Mother, get out of here," Rift says brashly, pushing her aside as she scowls at him. He grasps one of my hands in his. His amber-brown eyes focus on me, and he gives me a brilliant smile.

"Oh, I see how it is, ungrateful whelp," his mother huffs, crossing her arms over her bosom. Her skin is creamy smooth and her hair bright in a natural color, not dyed. She appears too youthful to be Rift's mother. "Don't forget what I said," she continues, "You mess this up, and it's my neck to pay."

"Yes, Mother," Rift grumbles, but his eyes don't leave me. "You came," he says softly to me, his expression beaming as if he's surprised and impressed with me at the same time.

"Of course," I laugh nervously because his seething mother still stands in his house behind him. I add flirtatiously, "You challenged my honor as the best card player in Underland. I must right this wrong!" Immediately I'm kicking myself. My words probably came across as incredibly silly. Be cool, Kyla.

But Rift chuckles at my joke. "Then stop standing there and come in, Princess." He pulls my hand and leads me through the doorway.

"Do I need to tell you to keep it in the pants with this one, son? A child with her would be an abomination," Rift's mother scoffs at us. "Ugh, you're such a disappointment to me, Rift."

I'm sure my face is a mixture of shock and embarrassment at her crassness. What had I done to make this woman hate me so?

"Mother, can you go to shadow already? Leave Kyla alone," Rift says under his breath, snapping burning amber eyes in her direction threateningly.

I'm a bit shocked. What a thing to say to one's mother! I wait for her to react with anger, but she smiles at him with her own eyes lighting up. The expression sends chills all the way to the tips of my wings. Something is very wrong with Rift's mother.

"If I do, you'll come with," she throws back at him with a wink before walking past us and leaving without closing the door behind her.

I gawk at the doorway, unsure what to do. Was it just me, or had a rush of cold air prickled my skin as Rift's mother passed us?

"I'm so, so, so sorry," Rift apologizes profusely, his expression irritated, "I had no idea she'd be here. She doesn't ever come on an invite."

"Do you want me to leave, Rift? It looks like I caught you at a bad time?" I ask uncertainly. Ugh, I'm so awkward.

"Arlite, no!" Rift objects, and suddenly he's laughing, much to my surprise.

My brow knits with confusion.

Huh, did I miss something?

"She was horrible, wasn't she?" Rift says, his expression filled with amusement.

My eyes widen, and I realize he's in earnest with the words. "Yes!" I exclaim. I'm relieved to admit it.

I laugh with him but stop to gasp when Rift kisses my cheek as if on impulse.

"I'm sorry. Was that okay? You're awfully cute," he says, and then he drops my hand and walks to a cupboard near a nicely situated sitting area while my fingers brush the place his lips had touched.

Rift removes a Chaos deck from the cupboard and walks to his eating area in front of a lit fireplace, laying the deck on the table with a clap. "You ready to fall to my will again?"

"Mayhap you were lucky last time," I defend.

"I doubt that. Let's see if I can teach you a thing or two," Rift says, grinning smugly as he deals.

"So, do you have any siblings?" I ask Rift after we've played our first cards. I pick up my second hand and inspect my cards. Hmm... good hand.

"I did at one time apparently," Rift says, dismissive of the question, "But my mother tells me they're all dead." He plays his first card.

I blink. "Did you know any of them?"

"No, they died before I was born," Rift explains, his brow furrowing in concentration as I place my counter-attack card on his.

"Queen," I say.

"Well played, Princess," Rift murmurs.

"Was it an illness?" I persist.

"I think so. I don't know much about them," Rift says nonchalantly, playing his attack card combination. He's obviously off his game. He may not look like he's affected by our conversation and the exchange with his mother, but the other night when we played, he had known to hold back his best cards until later in the game.

"So it was just you and your mother then?"

"Yes, she hasn't been easy to live with, but she's my mother. I have to take care of her or--, or she'll kill me," Rift states. "And I suppose you can't help loving your mother, even if they are horrible."

I don't know if he's joking or not about that part of his mother killing him.

"I can understand that," I reply and play my final cards. "I hope she loves you back."

Rift's mouth twitches at the corners. He's amused but trying not to show it. "You beat me this round." He casts his final card down. "Well done."