Downfall: Kingdoms of Sin, Book #1

by Aster, Willow

I, for one, am up for the challenge, but I intend on playing hard to get right back.

  He motions for me to step forward and I put my hand through my mother’s arm, separating to stand on either side of Uncle Basile as we follow the processional. The people who surround us on each side look at my mother and me skeptically, something that never happened until my father was accused. I shiver with some of the expressions that stare back at me.

  The walk down the cliff is hot and I wish I’d worn thinner material, especially when we continue the celebration outside. I stand along the sidelines, turning down everyone who asks me to dance. Finally, I turn away and walk toward the food. I just can’t shake the mood I’m in, but when Elias comes into my line of view, I smile in spite of everything. My smile drops when he doesn’t return it. But then I realize he’s looking past me and doesn’t even seem to notice that I’m standing right in front of him. I turn to see what has his attention and I frown.

  Brienne Jarvis, my sister-in-law’s shadow, is standing against the stone wall, tapping her right foot to the music.

  I turn back to Elias, thinking he’s surely spotted me by now, but he’s moved past me and is moving toward Brienne.

  My ears burn and I put my hand on the table to steady myself. What the hell?

  I watch as he stops near her and says something, which causes her to laugh and flush a delicate shade of pale pink.

  That slutty ox!

  Besides us both having blond hair, we’re about as opposite from one another as you can get. She’s nearly six feet tall and although I guess I can see how some might consider her attractive, she doesn’t have an ounce of personality. I’m only five foot three, but I have more personality in my big toe than she does in her entire stretched out body. She does look strong and extremely fit, but what man wants a woman who can carry him to bed? I shudder at the thought of her carrying Elias. What could he possibly see in her?

  In the past when I’ve seen him at parties, flirting with whoever was hanging on his arm at the time, I simply encouraged whoever was paying attention to me at that moment and Elias was there before I had to do much at all. But seeing as how I’ve sent everyone away tonight with my crabby disposition, I’m all alone.

  It’s because of the day. That’s what I tell myself. I wouldn’t normally put myself out there like this, knowing it could backfire with Elias, but the turmoil of the past few months have taken their toll on me. I don’t stop to overthink it, I storm over to Elias and Brienne and slide my arm through his, pulling him away.

  I glare at Brienne and my heart thuds when he turns back to look at her.

  “Was it really necessary to be so rude to her?” he asks, patting my hand despite his words.

  The way Brienne seemed to dare me with her eyes, I think yes, it was necessary.

  “I think after all I’ve been through today, the least you can do is dance with me.”

  “Fair enough.” He smiles and I know all is forgiven.

  I give him a smug smile in return and he laughs.

  “You are too beautiful for your own good, Mara Catano. And I seem to fall for it every time.”

  I sigh as I step into his arms, already feeling so much better as we begin to slowly sway. But I can’t leave well enough alone. “When you say you fall for it, do you mean you fall for me?” I feel his body stiffen slightly and I pull back to look in his eyes. “We’ve played this game for so long, Elias. Don’t you ever get tired?”

  He stops swaying and studies me. “If you only knew.” His finger traces my jaw and moves to my lips. I go completely still, willing him closer, but he breaks the moment with his next words. “You don’t know what you want.”

  “Oh, I absolutely do know what I want.” I lean in closer to him and he backs away.

  “It’s impossible to know what you want when you don’t even know who you are.” He drops his hands and takes another step back, bowing slightly. “Thank you for this dance. I should go make sure your brother is enjoying his party.”

  I stand, mouth open and fuming as he leaves me standing in the middle of the dance floor, making me feel like a fool. It’s like déjà vu all over again.

  Add Exposed to your Goodreads TBR: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/48384453-exposed

  Acknowledgments

  I always forget someone in this section and feel terrible. Hopefully, I’ll get close this time. There are so many people in my life that I’m grateful for—the list is vast…far longer than this one.

  Thank you, Nate, Greyley, and Indigo for your constant support and love. I love you so much and thank God every day for you.

  Thank you, Dad, for your love. I really hope you didn’t read this one. Matter of fact, skip the whole series, PLEASE. Love you!

  Thank you, Christine Estevez and Jennifer Mirabelli for cheering me on throughout this process, for being the ultimate support team. I couldn’t have done it without either of you!

  And Christine, for the things you do for me on a daily basis as my assistant—I would be lost without you.

  Thank you, Darla Williams, for giving this your wise eyes. Invaluable. Love you!

  Thank you, Christine Bowden, for your unwavering encouragement. You just seem to know what to say and do, even from across the world. I love you!!

  Thank you, Wander Aguiar for the fantastic photograph of Alex Clagett and for being SO EASY to work with.

  Thank you, Hang Le, for this amazing cover and for being so delightful.

  Thank you, Dani Sanchez, for your help!

  Thank you to the following friends who I love dearly and who cheer me on in various ways, book related and otherwise: Tosha Khoury, Courtney Nuness, Priscilla Perez, Steve and Jill Erickson, Staci Frenes, Ashleigh Still, Savita Naik, Kira Fennell, Kell Donaldson, Claire Contreras, Maria Milano, Holly Ray, Christine Brae…

  Thank you to the Asters group! I love you!

  Thank you, Tarryn Fisher, for forcing me to watch Game of Thrones. And for all the other stuff too.

  Thank you to the bloggers out there who work tirelessly on authors’ behalf—I appreciate you so much!

  And to all the readers out there who read my work no matter what I write, I’m especially grateful to you. To you who have given my work a chance for the first time, thank you so much.

  XO,

  Willow

  About the Author

  Willow Aster is a USA Today Bestselling author and host of Living in the Pages podcast. She lives in St. Paul, MN with her husband, kids, and rescue dog.

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  XO, Willow

  Also by Willow Aster

  True Love Story

  Fade to Red

  In the Fields

  Maybe Maby

  Lilith

  5,331 Miles

  The End of Men Series with Tarryn Fisher:

  Folsom

  Jackal