“Get off that bed, I will put you right back.”
Annoyance ran through me. I could fast-travel to my dress, then fast-travel out. I’d be naked in the hall for a moment, but I was getting sick of him thinking I couldn’t do anything to stand up for myself. Though after a moment, I realized I couldn’t feel the burn at all. His presence had put me into a turmoil I couldn’t shake, and my magic wasn’t going to work with me.
With a frustrated sigh, I hopped off the bed only to come face to face with a chest in front of me.
“Do you think I say things just to say them?” he asked, but now the words were softer than earlier, the darkness losing steam.
“Sometimes, yea.” I didn’t notice he even had it before he was sliding my dress over my head, and a heaviness settled on my chest, so heavy. I was just waiting for a ‘Thank you’ if I was lucky and then to be escorted to the door.
My anguish from earlier returned, and then the skin-tingling relief of his palm running from my neck to my nape. His other hand brushed the tear tracks off my cheeks, in the lightest, most comforting, touch. I felt the back of my eyes burning again and willed it to stay down. He’d turned me into the biggest girl. Why was I letting him touch me after all that he said to me? I pushed both of his hands off me and tried to walk away. But his grip on my arm stopped me.
“Why can’t you use your magic?”
Of course, he would put that together. I tried to shrug his hold off with no avail and then brought my gaze up to him. “It’s my business—”
“None of yours,” he echoed dryly. “Answer the question.”
He wasn’t going to drop this until I answered, I could see that in his eyes. “I can’t do it when I’m stressed sometimes. It’s not a big deal.”
“Were you ‘stressed’ this afternoon, say in an alley with four men surrounding you?”
Ugh, he was annoying. And I hated that he had to know about this. I was going to respond with something impolite, when the church bell rang, pulling me from my thoughts. “What time is it?” I asked, looking out to the terrace, seeing that the sun was dimming in the sky.
“Seven.”
“Oh, bloody hell. I’m late!” I was really going to hear it this time. I pulled my hair out of my dress and rushed to get my sandals.
“For what?”
“Just a gathering where some men come to meet us to see if we’d be suitable for pledging.”
He stilled, giving me a ‘You’re jesting’ look. “You came here with the intention to sleep with me, gave us a couple of hours, and then were planning to rush back to pick out a man to marry?”
I sat on the bed, wrapping my sandals up my calves. “Yea, I guess that’s the way it happened.”
A disbelieving, dark laugh escaped him.
“I wish I could say it’s been swell and to have a great trip, but it really hasn’t. You’re rude, and I hope you get seasick.”
“I don’t get seasick,” he said wryly.
“Life just isn’t fair, is it?” I muttered.
For some reason, the air grew heavy as if there was something about to be said. I looked up to see him leaning against the desk. He chewed his cheek and paused for many moments. But then shook his head, a muscle ticking in his jaw. “I’ve decided to stay for a couple more days.”
I raised my eyebrow, ignoring the way my heart jumped in my chest. “What for? Are there more virgins in the city you plan to take advantage of?”
Dark amusement glinted in his eyes. “Only the ones who enter my room and ask for it.”
My blood heated that I had ever been so insistent. And then boiled at the insinuation that he would sleep with any virgin who was brave enough to come asking for it. I didn’t know if there were many out there . . . but still.
“I shall pray for her,” I said, getting to my feet.
“And repent for me afterward?” His gaze was mocking.
I gritted my teeth, walking to the door. “As for you, I think I shall let you rot, after all.”
Fuck me, I thought, watching Calamity walk out the door, only to hear her let out a breath and then a small laugh around the corner as if she had run into someone. I already knew who the bastard was.
“Watch where you’re going, little witch.”
My eyes narrowed at Maxim’s voice.
“You ran into me. Keep your eyes off the floor. You can fantasize about all your women when you aren’t walking the hallways.”
“My palace. I’ll fantasize wherever I want.”
“Your stolen palace,” I heard her say, her voice drifting down the hallway. I was really beginning to hate the camaraderie they shared, a jealous heat crawling up my back. Every time I saw them together I remembered her sitting on his lap in his camp and a mad ache crept under my skin to hit something. Preferably Maxim’s face.
“Well, fuck me,” Maxim said as soon as he stepped into the room, his gaze going from me to the glass shattered across the floor.
I’d known I wouldn’t be able to keep this from him—the consequences of the stupid bond. But fuck if I had to talk to him.
I merely shot him a glance before walking onto the terrace and sitting in a chair overlooking the city. The sun was falling behind the horizon, and glowing orange torches were carried through the streets to light the lanterns.
I knew this woman would fuck everything up. I’d known it when she walked into that Cameron tavern, and I’d gotten a good look at her. So innocent. But for some reason, the thought that those dark, bottomless eyes would look so much better as she gazed up from her knees at my feet, had been my first thought.
I’d even decided to forget the whole thing, and had walked away, leaving her at the table, disaster following my back in the pair of unnaturally dark eyes. But then she barged into my room in nothing but a fucking man’s shirt, and that voice and that gaze crawled under my skin like a nuisance I couldn’t shake.
And now I had to stay a couple more days. Didn’t know if I would even make it that long, but the woman couldn’t even use her magic. Her Shadow magic, maybe, but I knew she wouldn’t be quick to use that. She was too good, too honest, and principled. She was the last girl on Alyria I would think to be a Shadow. I had brought attention to who she was, and I would stay until I knew she could at least defend herself.
Maxim took a seat next to me, resting his boots on the balcony ledge. “You could have warned me,” he said. “I was in a meeting with King Filip, and I’m sure he thinks I now have an affliction that I’ll spread to his daughter.”
I let out a breath of amusement. “You do have an affliction. Surprised he’s not worried you’ll slip up and kill your new wife.”
A drama was visible in the Northie square, the festival still in full swing, and every once in a while, the laughter would carry up to the terrace. I heard a couple of servants enter the room to light the wall sconces, one of the women grumbling under her breath when she noticed the glass on the floor.
“I have two non-Untouchable women,” Maxim said indifferently like it proved me wrong that he would never slip up.
I leaned back in my chair, my mind involuntarily shifting through every moment earlier, my heartbeat picking up. I’d never actually dressed a woman in my life—let alone urged a woman to put her clothes back on—but I couldn’t form any rational thoughts while she stood naked in my room without a care in the world.
I knew why she was named Calamity. Because she was a fucking travesty to all men alike.
Gets herself under your skin, and then dashes off to find a better man suited to marry.
I wanted to drag her back from that gathering; the urge was so strong it crept through my body, but I pushed it away. After a moment, I responded absently, “And I’m sure those women are sitting on the shelf, gaining dust.”
He lifted a shoulder, a sly smile on his lips. “I don’t think Filip cares about what happens to his daughter, anyway. She’s not a virgin, he made that clear to me. She thinks she’s in love with some stablehand.”
I shook my head, some pleasure running through me. “You’re a dumbass for agreeing to that. She’s going to make your life hell.”
He returned dryly, “I don’t think you can verse me on women. Looks like you’re doing a piss poor job yourself.”
“It’s my goal to fuck it up.”
“Right. So, you’re leaving for good ol’ Elian tonight then?”
I clenched my teeth in annoyance at his mocking tone, hearing the women whispering behind me about whose job it was to light the lantern out here, a slight tinge of fear in the air. I wouldn’t blame them that they didn’t want to closet themselves on a terrace with Maxim and me.
After Calamity left the room last night, thank fuck there was something else I wanted—no, needed—to deal with besides her. So, I went to Maxim’s harem, grabbed his favorite woman—a bastard of royal lines—and dragged her down the hall to my room. If there was anything more than a touchy subject between Maxim and I, it was women.
The fact that his woman hadn’t had any reservations against sleeping with me filled me with dark amusement, merely because it would piss Maxim off.
Though, I wouldn’t have fucked a Maxim hand-me-down for my sanity. I knew just the thought that I could would push Maxim over the edge. And I was right.
I found out he’d never been with Calamity.
And he’d also hit me so hard, it was probably the only reason I was sane today. Though, that didn’t stop me from hitting him back. I’d been able to beat him for years now, but it was a nice surprise I didn’t have to hold back much. Regardless, the stupid bastard loved a fight, no matter if he lost or not.
Maxim laughed, running his thumb across his bottom lip. “Man, I wouldn’t leave either. Not after that.”
“Stop acting like you were there,” I said, annoyed, my eyes following one of the maids who braved up enough to light the lantern on the table between us.
Maxim waited until she left. “Thought I was going to bloody die.” He shook his head. “I’ve never been half as crazy for a woman as your diluted feelings were earlier.”
I laughed, unamused, because yea, I was fucked. “That’s because you don’t know what it’s like to wait for something. Your momma never loved you, and so you smother yourself with women to ease your pain.”
“Fuck, that’s what it is, isn’t it?” He looked amused, pulling a cheroot out of his shirt pocket and lighting it in the lantern flame.
“I’m staying two more days,” I said, looking into the distance. I could almost see that brothel Calamity lived in.
“Bad idea.” Maxim shook his head.
I stole the cheroot from his hand. “Why don’t we talk about your bad ideas instead? Your un-cursed bride who’s probably carrying some other man’s child for starters,” I said, inhaling some smoke.
Maxim simply pulled another cheroot out of his pocket, lighting it up. “She’ll stay secluded for three months before the ceremony, and I’ll make sure she isn’t with child.” He shrugged like it was an easy solution.
“And if she’s not? You can’t get an heir out of her anyway, not without killing her in the process. And if you’ve somehow managed to control yourself in that regard—which I highly doubt, considering your self-control where women are concerned—what will your father think of you diluting the blood?”
“My father and I aren’t on good terms if you’ve noticed,” he said wryly, sitting in his golden palace with treason across his forehead. “So what if I can’t get an heir from her? I shall merely have to recognize some bastards.”
“You sound like the father you’ve always hated.”
Maxim leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. He looked into the distance, agitation set in his jaw. “This is the price I pay whether you understand or not. I know you don’t give a fuck about my people, but they are mine, my responsibility. Talia won’t be anything but ash if I don’t make some sacrifices. Having a bastard for an heir is one I will make.”
“Said like a true king,” I said sardonically.
“At least I’m not running from my responsibilities and handing them off to my brother.”
“You don’t have a brother.”
He gave me a sideways glance, exhaling some smoke. “Had one.”
I shook my head, agitated. “Bloody hell, man. I didn’t fuck your sister. Maybe if your father didn’t try to marry her off to some bastard twice her age, she wouldn’t have asked me to go along with the rumor of ruining her. She’s living the life she wants at that monastery she was sent to.”
“And the maid who said she saw you together?”
“Accomplice. She lied,” I said coolly. “Now you want to cry and hug this out or what?”
He lifted the cheroot to his lips, shrugging like he might, a small smile pulling at the corners.
I shook my head, some dry amusement rushing me.
“Sure the little witch won’t open the seal whenever it shows itself to her?”
I side-eyed Maxim, suspicion coursing through me. “Yea.”
“You have her blood, though. You could make it happen.”
I just took her virginity too. I had more power over her now than she probably understood, but it didn’t matter because I wouldn’t use it.
My suspicion suddenly grew, expanding in my chest. I let out a breath of disbelief. “Maxim? Haven’t you always been opposed to the idea? Your people are human.”
He shrugged. “Was thinking it might be all right to put the system on its axis. Might be the only way to get my people on the right path.”
Everything stilled inside me, so still. “You’ve been spending an awful lot of time with my brother lately.”
He said nothing, only lifted the cheroot to his lips.
And then everything came to the surface, blindingly hot, anger, pulsing under my skin. I had my forearm pressed to his throat against the terrace wall in a second.
A couple of noises of fright sounded from where the maids were making the bed.
I felt the pressure behind my eyes, above my eyeteeth, the boiling in my veins. “You know, I didn’t think my brother had it in him. He’s a whore for Titan, and opening the seal would only crumble its order. But you, I would never have thought you’d change your mind on this. Isn’t it what’s had us at each other’s throats for fucking years?”
Maxim’s eyes narrowed slightly but otherwise looked bored. “Five years is a long time.”
I pressed my forearm against his throat harder, an angry growl escaping my throat. “And the deal you made me to watch her for your vote, somehow seemed irrelevant to you now that I’ve already sent it to the council?”
When he didn’t say anything, I laughed darkly, shoving him before backing up. “This shit is why I always want to tear your arms from your fucking body, Maxim.”
He watched me, unmoved, bringing the fucking cheroot he still had in his hand up to his lips, before inhaling slowly.
I could already feel the nothingness associated with his death, how no sense of wrong pulled at me. How simple it would be.
He flicked the end of the cheroot over the terrace. “It just doesn’t sound right to me is all. You were all for the seal being open, and now that she has this . . . strong magic, you don’t want it open? What changed?”
She fucking died.
I leaned against the twisted iron bars of the terrace, bowing my head in thought, and trying to rein in the anger pulsing through me. Maxim was a cheating, lying son of a bitch. But he just made something importantly clear to me.
Roldan had always been against the opening of the seal. Titans were humans, their skills and size bred to what they are today; once the seal was open, it would collapse, before new order could be formed, if it ever was. My brother’s motivations had always been for Titan, but it now seemed that he’d realized time was creeping up on him, and he’d changed his opinion.
Frustration welled inside me as I wrapped my head around the best option. I would figure this out in the next two days, and then I would leav
e as planned. Firstly, I needed to speak to my brother. More like threaten the son of a bitch, and remind him that I spared his life one year ago.
And secondly, she needed to learn how to use her magic, but I wasn’t prepared to show her how.
Not at all.
She really would hate me for this.
“ . . . and you shall make sure that Farah does not ever, I repeat, ever, fortune-tell ever again—” When the witch in question shot me the dirtiest glare to exist, I sighed loudly. “Fine. Cancel that. She can do it in moderation, but only to those willing.”
Farah only rolled her eyes, and I called that fair.
“Now enjoy your evening,” I finished.
Her mother blinked a few times, before turning around and walking back down the hall towards the drawing room.
I crossed my arms, eyeing Farah’s suddenly triumphant expression. She’d teased her curls, making this poufy style that would make me look like I’d been caught in a storm before living in the forest for a year. “You sure that persuasion’s going to stay?”
She nodded. “I gave her a tonic to assure it.”
What I would do to be skilled at spells and potions . . .
“What are you going to do now?” I asked her. “You have to choose somebody.”
“I shall pick someone my age, at least,” she said. “Preferably handsome and not daft.”
“And polite.”
She raised a perfect brow.
“Make polite a priority. Trust me,” I sighed.
Why am I allowed to make my own decisions? That’s what I’d been asking myself since I climbed into my window and changed my wrinkled dress for the gathering. My thoughts were in turmoil about the entire day, and I couldn’t even work out how I felt about earlier.
“And who are you going to pledge?” Farah asked. “You act like you don’t have to at all.”
Well, that was the reality I was trying to maintain, yea, until witches ruined it.
“I do not like men,” I announced, like that completely negated the fact I would have to marry one.
A Girl in Black and White (Alyria Book 2) Page 22
