Downfall: Kingdoms of Sin, Book #1

by Aster, Willow

  “You like to dance?” Luka asks.

  He puts his hands where Edward’s had been, yet his hands feel completely different. I don’t want to think about how he makes me feel.

  Yearning. Breathless.

  “Yes.”

  He steps closer to me then and I lay my head on his shoulder, giving in to the pull of his body. I can’t look at him right now, so this is better. Safer. And yet, the closer I am to him, the harder it is to think clearly. The ride over comes back to me with sudden clarity. His hands on me, his fingers dipping into—God, what am I doing?

  I step back and push his arms off of me. He steps forward, hands going to my arms to hold me still.

  “Let me go.”

  “What’s wrong?” he asks.

  “Let me go.”

  He lifts his hands up and keeps them up as I move off of the dance floor. I make the mistake of looking back and see Nadia walk up to Luka. He smiles down at her and I see red. I rush outside and turn in circles until I see Luka’s driver. I hurry to him and he stands straighter when I approach.

  “Would you take me back to Kings Passage, please?”

  “Alone?” he asks.

  “Yes, Prince Luka is staying a bit longer and said I should ask for your help.”

  He studies me then and I’m certain he knows I’m lying, but he doesn’t hesitate for long. “Certainly. Anything you wish.”

  “Thank you.”

  He opens the door for me and I step in. As we’re pulling away, Luka comes out and watches us drive off. I can’t force an ounce of pity for him. He deserves to walk a thousand miles in the intolerable heat…without any water…for days.

  When we reach the castle, the driver opens my door and smiles as I step out. “I’ve worked for the Catano family for as long as Luka has been alive, you know,” he says. He leans a bit closer and lowers his voice. “I think he’s finally met his match.”

  “I’m pretty sure he would disagree.”

  He waits to see if I’ll say more and I don’t bother to explain myself. Finally, he shuts the car door and tugs on the bill of his cap. A car pulls up behind us and Luka steps out seconds later.

  “As I said…” the driver says with a smile.

  Luka storms up to me.

  “You left,” he says, his forehead furrowed.

  I brush past him and walk inside the castle, heading to my quarters as fast as I can. He grabs my arm.

  “Slow down. Talk to me. You can’t just leave me at an event…the night we practically announce our engagement, no less. You made me look like an asshole. We’re in this together.”

  “Since when?” I shrug his hand off of me. “Because it seems like you’re just making up the rules as we go along. Fact is, I don’t want to see your face any longer tonight, and I’ll do just about anything to get away from you.”

  He stops walking behind me as I continue to race down the hall, and then I hear him jog to catch up. I feel his eyes on me, but I don’t look at him. When I reach my door, I stop and turn to him and the look in his eyes stops me cold. He looks confused, like a little boy whose favorite toy has been taken away. I sigh in frustration and open the door, and when I see his mouth open, about to speak, I slam it in his face.

  Not married yet, I remind myself again. The words bring more comfort every time I say them.

  Brienne isn’t in my room yet, probably expecting me to be back much later, or annoyed if she’s been tailing me tonight. I enjoy having the room to myself as I strip out of my dress and take my makeup off. When I hear my door open, I throw my short purple robe on and turn, smiling, trying to put on a happy face for Brienne.

  “I’m back earlier than—” I stop in mid-sentence when I see that it’s Luka.

  He stalks past me, glaring.

  “You can’t just barge in here.” I put my hand on my hip and his eyes run down the length of me and back up again, excruciatingly slow.

  “I don’t need an invitation to come into my fiancée’s room.” His gaze is still wandering and I roll my eyes and walk past, muttering under my breath about changing my code.

  His hands grab my waist and he pulls me flush against him. He stares at my mouth as I try to catch my breath, my chest heaving into his more than I’m comfortable with.

  “We need to set a few ground rules,” he says.

  “Nope.”

  “Yes,” he grits through his teeth. “I don’t like the way things ended with us tonight. It does not set a good precedent for our marriage if you think you can treat me like that.”

  I want to pry his fingers off of my waist, but then he lowers his head and I’m so certain he’s going to kiss me, I stop breathing. He hovers by my mouth for what feels like an eternity. When he pulls back just slightly, my breath shudders out and I collapse deeper into his chest. His hands wind tighter around my waist and I have to tilt my head back further to look in his eyes.

  “This is much better,” he whispers. “You think I can’t feel how much you want me? I can smell your desire.”

  “I’m not your whore,” I seethe.

  “Are you sure?”

  I pull back and slap him. “Get out.”

  “Eden—”

  “Go.” I point to the door and he walks slowly to it, giving me one last look before walking out, slamming the door behind him.

  * * *

  The next day, Nadia is hanging on him again and he lets her. She juts her chest out and he traces his fingers along her neck and down to her cleavage as I walk past them in the corridor. His stormy eyes shift to mine, yet he doesn’t release her. He continues staring until I have to look away.

  I hate him. I hate him. I hate him.

  I feel on the verge of tears, even after Jasmine tries so hard to make me laugh during lunch. I end up going to my room for a few minutes before my afternoon classes, desperate for a break in seeing him. My phone rings and it’s Dean Hightower.

  “I need you in my office as soon as you’re able, Princess Eden.”

  “It’ll be okay that I’ll miss class?”

  “I’ll send an excused absence. Just get here, please.”

  I hurry to the office and when I get there, I’m shocked to see my mother and Queen Cece already inside.

  “What is going on?” I ask my mother as she rushes to hug me. When she pulls back, I study her eyes and she averts hers, clearing her throat.

  “I’m sorry I didn’t have time to warn you I was coming,” she says. “No time to warn you at all.”

  “You’re scaring the girl,” Cece says, chuckling behind us. “Marrying my son is nothing to be scared of. Most girls would kill to be in your position.”

  “What is going on?” I repeat to my mother.

  “Have a seat, Princess,” Dean Hightower says, motioning to the chair next to my mother and Cece. I see another empty seat next to Cece and wonder if Luka is coming.

  My mother turns to face me. “King Farthing of Alidonia is threatening Farrow and we need to make our alliance with Niaps public,” she says. “Today.”

  “Threats? But what—” I clutch her hand and squeeze it.

  “I was hoping my son would be here so we could tell you together, but you’ll need to be married sooner. This weekend,” Cece says.

  “What?”

  “I know it’s not what we planned and you wanted this time at school, but I’m afraid we can’t wait.” My mother smooths my hair down and I lean away from her.

  “We can announce our engagement today,” I tell her. Tears start running down my cheeks and I fling them off. “Luka told the Queen of Pravia last night. That should be enough to make them back off.”

  “Your father thought you’d say something like this and I told him I’d come and help you see reason. The wedding must happen immediately.” My mother’s voice barely lifts with inflection as she speaks, but I hear the underlying anger in her tone.

  “Since we are closer to Niaps, the wedding can be there,” Cece says. Her eyes sweep down me, reminding me of her son’s
in the way that I feel she can see right through me. “I have a tailor who started working on your dress the moment he knew I was coming to get you.”

  “But I want to get married at home and in the dress I’ve picked out…” I put my head in my hands and cry harder.

  And that’s when Luka walks in.

  I lift my head up to him and his face goes white. “What’s wrong?” He rushes over and squats down in front of me, grabbing a tissue from Dean Hightower’s desk and dabbing my face. “Someone tell me what’s happening right now,” he demands. “Are you hurt?”

  I don’t know if I’m more in shock over his soft, caring voice, or the fact that by this time next week, I’ll be his wife.

  “She’s just fine,” Cece answers, standing up and moving behind Luka. She puts her hand on his shoulder and he stands up, looking angry.

  I wipe my face and press my lips together, trying to will my shallow breaths into calming.

  “You’ll need to be married this weekend, rather than the date we agreed upon,” my mother says. “Eden is just in shock and doesn’t want to get married in Niaps.”

  “I don’t want to marry him at all,” I spit out.

  Cece’s gaze sharpens on me and she turns to her son. “Luka?” she asks, as if he’ll clue her in on why I’m being so unreasonable.

  Luka lowers his head and I watch as the color returns to his neck and cheeks. “We’ve had our differences,” he says, shrugging. “We needed this time in our engagement to get to know one another. What’s going on?”

  “There’s not much time to talk about it now. Our jet is waiting to fly the four of us to Niaps so we can start preparing for this wedding.”

  “No,” Luka says.

  “What do you mean no?” My mother stands up and moves closer to him. “It’s in the contract. You will marry.”

  “I’m not disputing that, but we will do it when we’re ready.”

  “Tell him, Cecilia—”

  “—Father told me a little bit about what’s happening with Alidonia,” he interrupts. “We’ll announce our engagement tonight, but I want Eden to have the wedding she wants. We’ll do it in Farrow or not at all.”

  I look at him, and my heart skips a dozen extra beats.

  More.

  “And I’d prefer her to want to marry me before we exchange vows, but we can’t always get what we want, can we?” He smirks his Luka Catano smirk at me and I want to rip his head off and also kiss him until he can’t say another idiotic, infuriating word.

  I turn and stare straight ahead, unable to look at him another second. “What is another year or two?” I wipe my face and stand up, walking quickly to the door. “If it really will change things for us, I’m willing.” I have to force the words out, but I say them anyway, knowing that my world is about to turn upside down.

  * * *

  Later, on the jet to Farrow, as I sit next to my mother and across from a sleeping Luka and his mother, I replay his comment and wonder when he changed his mind about wanting to marry me. Or if that was even what he meant.

  I hate that I feel the slightest twinge of hope.

  His eyes open and he stares at me for a moment, almost as if he can hear my thoughts whirling about him, then closes them again and goes back to sleep.

  I’ve turned into a stupid girl with stupid dreams, none of which included marrying a man who doesn’t want me.

  Chapter Nine

  When we near Farrow, I sit on my hands to stop fidgeting. It hasn’t even been that long, but it feels like forever since I’ve seen my family. The mountains and water feel like security blankets wrapping around me, cradling me home. I stare out the window, soaking it all in, anxious to hurry up and land.

  “You seem happier,” Luka says.

  Startled, I turn to him. I take in his amused expression and turn back toward the window. “It’s been a long flight. I’m ready to get there already.”

  “Did you sleep?”

  “Who can sleep when they’re about to get married?” My tone is dry and he chuckles. “Although, you didn’t seem to have any trouble,” I add.

  “I’m accustomed to not getting any say in the direction my life goes…especially the life-altering choices.” All the humor has left his voice and I turn sharply to look at him. Cece frowns and his eyes drill into her, daring her to argue. “You’ll get used to it too,” he says, turning slowly to face me again.

  It’s the first time I’ve thought that maybe Luka is an old soul underneath all his swagger.

  “I didn’t even get to tell Jasmine goodbye.”

  The pilot interrupts us then, reminding us to fasten our seat belts. “We’re making our descent into Farrow, where the weather is sunny but a brisk six degrees Celsius. We should be landing in about ten minutes.”

  “We’re gonna freeze our asses off, Mother.” He turns to Cece and nudges her.

  “This is nothing,” I say. “Next month and the one after that are when you’ll feel the cold.”

  “You must be sweltering in Pravia,” Cece says.

  It’s the first time she’s said a full sentence to me since I said I didn’t want to marry her son. It’s been a quiet plane ride.

  “I’ve only been into town once and I did get pretty hot, yes.” I don’t dare look at Luka. That afternoon still makes me livid every time I think about it.

  She doesn’t respond but studies me for a few piercing moments then looks out the window. She’s an unusual woman. Intimidating and quick with the retorts. I was swept up the first time I met her, I realize. Infatuated with the glamour that is Queen Cecelia Catano. Now I wonder who she really is. Someone I don’t need to push too far would be my guess.

  The rest of the flight is quiet except for the flight attendant bustling around and the pilot giving us final instructions for landing. And then we’re in my country again. I immediately feel calmer.

  From the plane, we get into a helicopter that takes us the rest of the way. Our landing pad is on the roof of the east wing of our house, and pride swells inside of me as we glance down at the breathtaking mountain peaks and see the Safrin home—what some would call a castle—nestled in the crevice of one of the mountains.

  “It’s beautiful,” Luka says.

  I glance at him, grateful for the kindness, and then I regret looking. His jawline is sharp, his nose slightly pointed but perfect for his face, but his full lips and the shocking depth to his blue eyes mixed with his light hair all lend to such beauty, it’s hard to look away. I feel my face flush and I force myself to think about everything but him.

  When we land, the family is waiting to greet us. Jadon and Ava stand in the front, and Father is just behind them. Father steps forward as we step off, clutching my hands before hugging me. I keep my hug brief, still too angry about the situation to linger. He greets Luka and Cece as I make a beeline for Jadon.

  “You okay, Edie?” he whispers, pulling a face.

  “No.”

  “We should raid Alidonia and be done with it,” Ava says.

  Everyone stops and stares at her.

  “This is the twenty-first century. It’s ridiculous that my sister should have to marry anyone for political gain. We really should be more progressive than that.” Her dark eyes burn into Luka’s and he grins.

  “What are you, twelve?” he asks.

  She stands up taller—it’s really getting to her that she’s not had a big growth spurt in a long time. “I’m fifteen.” Her voice is indignant and it just makes him laugh.

  “Right. Well, I happen to agree with you, Ava Safrin,” he says and offers her a killer smile.

  She pinches her lips together and tries to keep her smile down. Her eyes are gleaming when she looks at me and I want to yank her out of the room and warn her to not be lured by him. It’s already too late—one tiny exchange and my contrary little sister is won over by Luka.

  Luka and Jadon do the man handshake, bumping and clasping and a one-arm hug. I want to pinch Jadon too. Where is the loyalty? But it hasn
’t been that long before I was a swooning girl who couldn’t wait to marry Luka, and he and Luka seem to have some sort of friendship on their own, so I guess I can’t blame them.

  We all make our way inside, where Mother is waiting. She shows Cece to her room and leaves me with Luka. I don’t bother saying anything, simply holding my hand out when I open the door to his quarters. He stalks in and turns around to face me, reaching past to shut the door behind me.

  “Did you mean what you said about getting married this weekend?” he asks. He stands so close I can feel his breath on my forehead.

  I stare at his neck and nod.

  “Are you certain?” He waits for me to nod again and then nods himself. He takes a step back. “We should come to an agreement now so there’s no confusion later. We’re too young to be married. I want to be honest with you and let you know that I will pursue other interests.”

  I swallow hard and raise my head to the ceiling, willing my emotions to not take over. Tears threaten to spill and I don’t want to risk that humiliation. “I wouldn’t expect anything but that from you.” I skirt past him and walk to the window, looking out at the vast mountains spread out around us. I gave him the room with one of the best views. “As long as you’re okay with me pursuing mine.”

  I feel him move behind me and it takes a moment for him to speak. “Of course. However, I won’t be humiliated, so you’ll have to learn to be discreet…something I’m not sure you’re capable of—”

  I don’t say anything, measuring my breaths and trying to shove my anger back down.

  “Eden?” He steps closer, so his chest is against my back. I close my eyes and try to drown out the heat that comes whenever we touch.

  “There are a lot of things I’m capable of that you’ll never experience.”

  “I guess we’ll see about that.”

  I press my lips together and turn around, nodding briskly. “Okay then. I better go see what the plan is.” But neither of us move.

  “I can come with you…”

  “Not necessary.”

  He opens his mouth to say something and I shake my head, finally moving past him. He walks over and holds the door, watching as I walk away.