“Your boyfriend caused a pretty big stir last night,” he mused as he looked around. “I am to assume he got back to you without Finias gutting him?”
“Finias wouldn’t do that, and Dray isn’t my boyfriend,” I rolled my eyes at Colt’s dramatics. It was oddly surreal having him in my room, and his grin at my answer had my stomach tightening.
“Finias would absolutely do that.” His eyes flashed with amusement before he grabbed some grapes off my breakfast tray.
“Why are you here, Colt?” I noticed his body shift, almost as if he hadn’t expected me to say his name. I’d said his name before, right?
He inhaled and leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees while he examined my expression. “You nearly got yourself killed yesterday.”
I shook my head, taking another big gulp of coffee, “What, by your daddy?”
His eyes flared with anger. “You don’t have a good grasp on the politics here, Ama. You need to be more careful. Far more careful. You are protected at the House of Death, but not here. And considering you didn’t bring enough reinforcements with you to start a war…I would just watch your back.”
“Is that a threat?”
His face sobered, suddenly void of emotion as he leveled me with a pointed look, “No, Princess. You would know if I was threatening you. Consider it a warning.”
I watched him stand and stride out of my bedroom as I finished my coffee and scowled at the empty cup. Then, I nearly face palmed. Why the hell would I ever drink something handed to me by the House of Fallen? Fuck, maybe Colt was right. I would never admit that, but clearly I needed to be far more careful.
After a few more minutes of relaxing, I checked the time, and my eyes widened realizing it was noon. How the hell had I slept so late?
I briefly wondered when Finias would pick me up for the ball but figured he would show up sometime sooner rather than later. At least I hoped so. I enjoyed spending time with the Dark Elf. I liked spending time with a lot of the princes, if I was being honest with myself.
Was it wrong that I had feelings for multiple men? Finias was my cheeky prince who made me laugh and feel carefree. Adrien was a breath of fresh air and made me feel like I was truly being seen for who I was inside. Colt pissed me the hell off, but despite that, I couldn’t deny my attraction to the Fallen Angel. While Nico and Damien were the princes I’d spent the least amount of time with, I still found myself thinking about them and wanting to know more about them.
So far, I knew Nico could charm the pants off anyone with his natural Incubus allure, but I suspected there was more to him than that, and I wanted to peel back his layers.
Damien had immediately made me feel warm and welcomed in a room full of sharks, not giving a damn about what it looked like to be seated next to me as a clear ally. He was kind, and it was clear he had a heart of pure gold.
And then there was Dray...the teenage crush who had broken my heart and created deep insecurities within me with his lies. But the guilt he carried over those things had been clear in his eyes and voice yesterday. I couldn’t deny that my feelings for him had never fully faded, but was an apology enough for me to forgive and move on?
I just didn’t know. I didn’t know what to do with any of this anymore.
I had a few hours to get ready, and I took full advantage, locking myself in the bathroom and blasting music, wanting to get lost in it. Normally, I would have picked something relaxing, but today I blasted classic rock while scrubbing my body and shaving. After traveling and having such an insane first two days, it felt amazing to just wash all of that away. I even took time to wash and condition my hair.
By the time I got out, I felt like a new woman—refreshed and ready to take on this ball and all that would come with it.
Although, about an hour later, my arms were sore and I was annoyed with the amount of hair I had. Sure, every piece had been ruthlessly blow dried and curled into a loose, romantic wave, but was gorgeous hair really worth it if it made my arms feel like I’d just done a work out? Debatable.
The time ticked by as I applied a smokey eye and deep red lipstick to match the dress I planned to wear, my stomach starting to tighten uncomfortably.
Had Fin forgotten we were supposed to go together? And where was Drayven? I nibbled on my lip but tried to put it from my head as I walked towards the closet and pulled on a black lace lingerie set that was cut perfectly to complement the deep-cut, skin-tight dress.
Zurie and I had purchased the dress recently, at the start of the season, and I was really glad she’d convinced me to bring it.
Crimson lace at the top gradually faded into a black ombre material that hugged every single inch of my curves, from the deep v that cut to my navel, continuing over my hips, down to where it fell to the floor in a cascade of luxurious fabric. The slit on the left leg came up to my upper thigh, showing off my legs and black, red-bottomed stilettos. I felt good, and when I crossed to the mirror, my crown settled tightly around my horns, I realized that I looked truly beautiful.
Like, possibly better than I ever had. Which was great, considering my confidence in everything else was lacking. I was just waiting for someone to call me out on not knowing what I was doing. Well, I suppose Colt already had.
When I heard the estate bells ring throughout the building, signaling that the ball was to begin soon, I accepted that Finias had forgotten about our little date. That’s what I told myself anyway, because the idea of him blatantly not showing up hurt more than I cared to admit.
Muttering a curse and trying to not be disappointed, I left my room and walked confidently out of our wing towards the ballroom. Despite arriving alone, I would do so confidently. Well, until I got lost.
About ten minutes later, I was cursing myself because I’d turned down a few corridors that seemed to be going in the opposite direction of where I needed to be. I was about to give up on the event entirely when I heard a familiar voice. Finias.
I walked closer, hearing him right around the bend, but I stopped, something in my gut telling me to not show myself just yet.
“Are you useless, boy?” a man’s voice hissed, filled with hatred. “You had one fucking job.”
“Ama is not a job.” Finias’ voice lacked any warmth. It was hollow. I wanted to see his expression, but at the same time, I was afraid of what I would find.
“Not a job?” A woman’s cold, smooth voice filled the space. “Finias, every interaction you entertain is a job. You are nothing but a weapon for our house, so either do what you are told, or you can face the consequences.”
I didn’t like the sound of that. My back straightened defensively as I felt a surge of protectiveness for Finias. I wanted to round the corner and tell whoever was speaking to him to go fuck themselves.
“No.”
His answer surprised me, but what surprised me even more was the sharp sound of a slap that echoed through the hall. Finias didn’t say anything or even make a sound, but I knew without a doubt that the woman had hit him. A seething rage pounded through me, and I kept my powers wrapped up tight, worried I would do something that would only get Finias in more trouble.
“What was that, again?” The woman’s voice was so cold it caused me to shiver as I gripped the wall. I would not kill her. I would not kill her.
Not yet, anyway.
“Nothing, Mother.” Finias’ whisper was so broken that I felt everything inside of me well with emotion. No! My Finias didn’t sound desolate and broken. That wasn’t him. I wouldn’t allow that to be him.
“Good boy,” she bit out before demanding, “Now go. Go get the little hybrid freak, and make sure you secure the vote tonight. I don’t care what you need to do to make that happen.”
I leaned against the wall as I heard two pairs of footsteps walk in the opposite direction. I let out a slow breath and considered turning the corner, but then I didn’t have to. Face-to-face with a tuxedo-clad chest and enveloped by a warm, familiar scent, I raised my eyes—first to the tatt
oo-covered neck, then to familiar violet eyes. I would like to say I didn’t tear up a bit as my eyes met Finias’, but that would be a lie.
The man’s emotions were absolutely laid bare upon his face, and he did nothing to try to hide them from me, his fingers brushing over my jaw before he pressed his forehead to mine. He knew I’d heard.
Hell, he’d probably known I’d been there from the start. He had stood up to his parents for me, and it had gotten him hurt.
“Fin,” I whispered. He shook his head, nearly brushing his lips against mine and keeping me pinned to the wall, seemingly overcome by whatever was going on in his head.
I wrapped my arms around him and let out a small sound as I nuzzled against his chest, probably getting makeup on it, which I felt bad about. He only held me closer, clearly not caring.
We must have stood in that bubble, in that moment, for several minutes, his body slowly unlocking from the tension. Each muscle that unlocked seemed to allow him to breathe easier. He was also wrapping himself around me far more. So much so that he had me completely encompassed and pressed between him and the wall when I began to run my hands gently through his short, white hair.
“I’m sorry you had to hear that, Ama.”
His voice was cold and unemotional, but the way he was touching me was anything but. I pulled back slightly, taking in his expression as his eyes ran over every inch of my face. As if he was looking for something. What, I wasn’t sure, but I wanted to assure him that whatever he needed, I could give him. It sounded absurd, but I meant that fully. I was starting to realize that I was forming a very deep connection with Finias, and it wasn’t one that would ever go away—unless it was broken painfully.
“I want to kill them,” I hissed, anger coursing through me. “I want to kill her for slapping you. For hitting you at all.”
A sad warmth filled his gaze as he brushed his nose against mine, “She’s not worth your time. You’re far more valuable than anything regarding her. And me, if we are being honest.”
“Don’t say that.” I gripped his jaw and searched his face, “I love spending time with you. You always lift my spirits, and I feel like a smile is permanently glued to my face when we’re together.”
His eyes filled with emotion, almost appearing to make the purple glow, before he let out a small sound, as if he was fighting something in his head. He offered me a more “Finias” smile and nodded towards the hall, intertwining our fingers as if none of what had transpired in the past few minutes had happened.
“No matter what they do, I won’t play politics. Not with you.” He spoke softly, and my heart warmed.
“I know. I trust you.”
The smile he rewarded me with was absolutely gorgeous. Actually, all of him was gorgeous, from the dark tuxedo on his lean, muscled physique to the tattoos that covered every available inch of his skin.
“I imagine Drayven won’t be happy about me taking you to the ball.” He chuckled then, and it jogged my memory of last night.
I shrugged, “He disappeared this morning after coming back drunk…so, I don’t care.”
“That’s not true.” Finias squeezed my hand, and I swallowed at how easily he saw through me. “But he was, in fact, drunk, and I did, in fact, almost slit his throat last night.”
“So casual, the manner in which you speak about the act of slitting someone’s throat,” I observed, my brows raising in amusement.
“He told me I would never be good enough for you.” His jaw clenched hard before he continued, “Hit a bit too close to home.”
“Don’t pay him any mind, Finias. You know how I feel,” I assured him, then exhaled, “Plus he’s totally in the dog house right now for being an ass.”
“The dog house, huh? What did he do?” Finias’ smile was growing, as if he found Dray’s suffering funny, and I couldn’t lie—the two squabbled like brothers did, whether they realized it or not.
“Remember the first kiss thing I told you about in the courtyard the night we met?” I asked softly.
“How could I forget? I forced him to take a nap on the ground with my fist.” He scowled with the memory.
“He lied,” I murmured, “I never hurt him. Never began sucking the soul from him. He lied to keep people away from me and to put distance between us.”
Finias stopped me and grabbed my hand, pulling me against him. “What do you mean?”
We were a hallway turn away from the ballroom, yet I still felt like we were completely alone, enclosed in our own private bubble.
“He did it so that I would be considered a danger and an outcast. So that people would stay away from me. So that no one would even attempt to touch me. But he also wanted distance between us because of lies the council back home told him about me as they groomed him to take over the throne.”
“How did you finally find out?”
“Adrien kissed me, and Dray walked in on it,” I mumbled, heat rising in my cheeks at the admission.
Finias’ eyes blazed as he let out a dangerous hum, “Is that so?”
I swallowed a lump in my throat and nodded. “And then Drayven kissed me.”
My back hit the wall of the hallway as Finias walked me up against it, his large tattooed hands gripping my waist as his head dipped to bring his lips closer to mine. His voice was rough, “I don’t like that. I don’t like that they kissed you. They don’t deserve it. Especially Drayven. Especially with how he’s hurt you.”
“And who deserves it?” I breathed out, wanting to hear his answer.
A smile stole over Finias’ face as he hesitated over my lips. “Not me either, Ama.”
Oh.
Disappointment flooded me, but then suddenly, he brushed my lips gently with his as he spoke against them, “But that doesn’t mean I won’t take it—and you—anyway.”
Oh devil.
Finias’ kiss was explorative and cautious at first, and I completely gave in to it, my body melting against his as he traced my lips with his tongue and made my knees weak. Every point in my body lit up with pleasure as the man simply kissed me. It was such a dangerous kiss, though. Such a toxic, dangerous kiss.
My body flooded with warmth at the memory of the way he had made me come with his fingers, and I wanted to find a room and ask for a repeat right now.
Unfortunately I knew that wasn’t an option so I decided instead to go up on my toes and press a kiss to his cheek. Finias let out a low rumble his hands wrapping around my waist and pulling me closer in a tight embrace that had my face flushing.
A dangerous sound had us pulling apart, and my gaze snapped to the side, where Drayven stood, looking dashing despite the small cuts and light bruising from the fight last night. His silver hair was slicked back and contrasted handsomely with his all-black tuxedo set. I froze as his eyes ran over me, then he cursed and stormed back towards the ballroom. Shit, how long had he been standing there? It couldn’t have been long and I was hoping all he saw was the kiss to Fin’s cheek.
Pain blossomed in my chest. Guilt and pain. Why did I feel that? I wasn’t Drayven’s, and he had hurt me immensely. Yet, I couldn’t shake the feeling of guilt at him seeing me with Finias—especially since he’d admitted that he had feelings for me. That had to have wounded him to see. Again.
But I couldn’t go to him. I couldn’t keep giving up these moments of happiness to placate him or soothe his anger.
Fin held me closer, and I closed my eyes, allowing myself to relax and feel comforted before we headed towards the ballroom. My stomach clenched as a ball of dread settled into it. Tempers were flaring between the men, and emotions were running high with the vote on the line between the kings and queens.
Tonight wasn’t just a ball. Tonight was a game of chess. One I intended to destroy.
Chapter Nineteen
Ama
Walking into the ball on Finias' arm was a bold move. It indicated an alliance between our houses, but it would still be unclear who was voting for whom. His parents were likely under the impres
sion that he had secured my vote, while the other houses that thought I was whoring myself out likely thought I had secured a vote from the House of Runes.
That placed a big target on my back—one that showed I was a force to be reckoned with. I wasn't here to be quiet, complacent, or stepped on.
No, I was here to make my father proud and win this vote for our house once again. And I wasn't going to do that by making any shady, manipulative moves. Staying true to myself was extremely important to me, and no matter what I felt for the men around me, I wouldn't let my values or goals slip from my mind.
I hadn’t realized just how many opinions I had on leadership until I’d stepped away from my father and had to navigate these things on my own. It was both nerve wracking and freeing. I felt like I was growing through this experience, and it was a completely unintended side effect of something I hadn’t even wanted to do. Now, though? Well, now I was glad I’d come—and for more reasons than one.
"You look absolutely ravishing. I realize I failed to tell you that earlier," Fin whispered discretely to me. All eyes were on us, and his comment brought a smile to my face, which in turn, caused several enemies to scowl.
They wanted me out, and they wanted me to feel shame at what I was. Who I was.
Something peculiar had shifted within me in my short time at the Summit. While I had an intense desire to prove hybrids weren't lesser, I had also realized that I had been shaming myself for being a hybrid my whole life by shunning the Succubus half of me.
I had treated myself exactly the way I hated others treating me, and it was time to put an end to that bullying too. No longer would I despise or feel disgust over who I was. While it was true I had some unresolved mommy issues, I couldn't change who my birth parents were. They had found love, or so my father claimed, and then I had come along.
I was a result of love, and after meeting these princes, I had to admit I found the line that had been drawn between all the species when it came to relationships disgusting. Why were we not free to love who we wanted to? Why did purity of lines matter?
Insurrection (Monarchs of Hell Book 1) Page 16
