by Rachel Jonas
Planting both palms against his back, I felt the muscles beneath his smooth skin tense and roll in rhythm. As Levi peered down, his gaze locked with mine, and I think we were both aware of how our connection deepened even more. There was no doubt he meant what he said, that I was it for him. If I hadn’t known before, I did now.
Realizing he’d let me into his heart tonight brought my body to life, forced the walls I built up to come tumbling down. In every sense of the word, I was his now. And as the last of my inhibitions melted away, I thought he should know he hadn’t been wrong to step out on a limb to tell me how he felt.
It was brave.
It was sexy.
It was honest.
“I won’t leave you again, not without warning,” I swore.
That penetrating gaze of his was steady on me from the moment the words left my mouth, perhaps taking in the depth of the promise I made. He practically looked through me as I was nudged toward the brink of losing myself entirely.
The silver centers of his eyes rolled back, disappearing behind closed lids. I felt myself clawing closer and closer to the edge with each passing second, as hungry kisses and a muffled moan touched my lips.
Levi’s firm hips rocked powerfully against my core, leaving me breathless. I gripped him tight as his name burst from my lips, and a final explosion of pleasure hit me like a tidal wave. Watching me writhe beneath him,the last ounce of control he’d managed to hold onto slipped away then. Perfect, white teeth sank into his bottom lip, and with pulsating thrusts unmatched in power, he gave in to nature.
Gave in to me.
Our bodies went still. His weight covered me, and I was surprised to find that our hearts raced at nearly the same pace, drumming irregular beats against our chests. Especially seeing as how his hardly beat at all otherwise. Holding him, I acknowledged that so much had changed between us tonight, starting with my promise.
In the throes of passion, I vowed to never leave without explanation again. And seeing as how I’d never dream of forsaking my mission, this promise meant there were some hard, honest truths I’d have to present to the princes.
My love for my team and my cause were alive and well—this was as true today as it had always been. Except, now, it was time to face the idea of love existing in my heart for others too.
Levi.
Julian.
Chapter Seven
Roman
My gaze lifted to the large door of cherry wood and frosted glass as it swung open. He seemed stunned that I showed this time, seeing as how I stood him up not once, but twice already.
Both times, it weighed heavily on my conscience that there was a conflict of interest. On one hand, Jon was offering me a chance to save myself. On the other, that opportunity came at the expense of my brothers.
“Roman,” he greeted me, extending his hand. “It’s a pleasure to see you. Please, come in.”
Tonight, he had arranged for us to meet at his home. He stepped aside, inviting me to enter. His residence was far grander than I expected for a man in his line of work. An expensive light fixture hung above, bouncing light off a marble-tiled floor.
“We can take drinks in the study and talk business there,” he offered, gesturing for me to follow.
This whole idea he had—throwing everyone under the bus—wasn’t setting right with me, but I’d hear him out like I promised. Especially with him dangling such an enticing incentive in front of me—Blackbird.
He wouldn’t go into detail when I asked what she had to do with anything, insisting that we discuss matters face to face. So, here I was, finally ready to hear his explanation.
“I appreciate you joining me this evening.” Jon donned a faint smile when he spoke. I found him incredibly hard to read, but I guessed that to be a trait he mastered throughout his years in the trade.
“My apologies for being unavailable to meet during our previously scheduled appointments. Both times, there was business to tend to that was out of my control,” I lied.
When he studied me a moment, I wondered if he sensed it.
“I completely understand,” he replied, a bit too politely.
The press conference was the first and only time I’d seen him face-to-face. Then, his ruthlessness had been apparent. There weren’t many willing to challenge a monarch, let alone in a public setting, accusing them of a crime that’s punishable by death. This fact hinted toward Jon being a rare, intrepid breed.
It was hard to tell whether that was a quality I ought to admire or fear. I supposed this meeting would shed some light on that.
“How’s your writing coming these days?”
I peered up when he asked, mostly because it wasn’t a question I often heard. My family wasn’t involved much in my career, and my agent had seemingly fallen off the edge of the Earth when my name became entangled with Julian and Corina’s. If I had to guess, he’d done so to avoid being associated with the scandal of it all.
Couldn’t blame him for that.
“I’ve been busy with other endeavors of late, so writing hasn’t been my priority,” was the best answer I could offer.
Jon nodded, keeping that piercing glare trained on me.
“I imagine the tragedy you endured—the loss of your sister—dampened your creativity quite a bit.”
The statement jarred me from a thought, and I met his gaze. It didn’t surprise me that he knew of Regina’s death, but I was shocked he had the gall to bring her up now. For that reason, I didn’t respond.
“Can I interest you in a fresh glass of blood? It’s been imported from—”
“If you don’t mind,” I cut in, “I’d prefer it if we just get to the issue at hand. Why’d you track me down?”
His brow quirked, maybe surprised that I maneuvered out of the corner he tried to talk me into so expertly.
“Well,” he started, clearing his throat, “mostly, I reached out because, as I observed you at the press conference—when news of the blood bond was presented—you seemed … considerably less enthused by the idea than the others. And might I add, you appeared to be even less smitten by Mistress Corina.” He stared a moment. “Was I wrong to assume?”
My jaw tensed. I didn’t like the feeling of being interrogated, and this felt exactly like that.
“I thought you might be interested in hearing a bit more of my take on things. For instance, I still think this whole agreement among you is a charade, a lust-driven ruse that you’ve been pulled into to cover Julian’s tracks.”
My heart hadn’t beat once since walking through his door, but it did then, when he gave his take on my circumstances.
“So, tell me, is that what’s going on here? Are you being guilted into altering the entire course of your life to cover for one of your ‘Dynasty Brothers’, as you call them?”
His words struck home, because they were beginning to scrape the surface of the many, many thoughts that had crossed my mind every day since the incident.
“It’s fine if you prefer not to address it. However, I encourage you to reevaluate recent events,” he suggested. “Now, I can’t speak on what goes on behind closed doors with you five—the other princes and Mistress Corina—but if there’s an imbalance, if you can recall instances where thoughts of your wellbeing and your wants have come second, or have maybe been emitted from the equation altogether … perhaps you already know why I’ve invited you here.”
He spoke about this all so callously, as if the love I held for my brothers was something to be disregarded, as if the decision to meet with him tonight should have been clear, simple. I guessed to him, this was nothing more than a career-changing feature that would boost his status. But for me, this was my life.
Both fists tightened, and warmth pulsed through them when anger spread within me.
“You mentioned Blackbird when we last spoke,” I interjected, taking hold of the conversation again. “I’d like to know what she has to do with anything.”
A broad grin spread across Jon’s face. “
I’m happy you asked.” He paused to sip from his glass, rearing back in his seat. “How much do you know about her—this girl whose presence in this quadrant of the Dynasty has been quite similar to that of a plague?”
I didn’t have to think long and hard about the little information I had concerning her. After all, her antics had been one of the media’s favorite subjects the past couple years.
“She’s the leader of one of the biggest opposing factions in the entire Dynasty, not just this quadrant. She likely operates with a team who assist her with missions to steal donors, and on occasion, sows marked for disposal.” I thought a bit deeper. “She’s also singlehandedly responsible for weakening our livelihood, although our Presiding Emperor has yet to admit as much.”
“I agree on all points,” Jon cut in. “But I encourage you to think superficially for a moment. Think … physical appearance.”
I was quiet a moment, staring when a set of blurry images were placed on the table before me.
“A perfect match for body-build,” he began as he laid out another picture, “height, hair color.”
My brow tensed as I stared at them all—four pictures of the infamous Blackbird, cloaked in her signature, all-black attire. Renditions of the mask she wore had been spray painted on the sides of abandoned buildings throughout the Capitol by the rogue humans who idolized her, which was all the more reason she needed to be taken down fast. She fueled their fight, gave them hope.
If we could kill her, we’d kill their spirit, their futile, misguided will to resist.
“Believe me, I’ve flipped this thing as many ways as I could,” he shared. “I’ve lost sleep analyzing the details, and I have yet to come up with a better explanation for why an unmarked, unbranded human girl would make her way to the Quincentennial gala,” he concluded. “How many do you know ballsy enough to attempt such a feat, knowing the number of high-powered Ianites who’d be under that roof?”
“And you think … Corina might be Blackbird?” My mind was reeling.
Jon nodded and I turned toward the images again, studying them closer.
“You just said she was unmarked and unbranded,” I recalled. “You mentioned those same details at the press conference as well, but they weren’t public knowledge. Who’s your source?”
He hesitated to answer.
“Dr. Driskel,” he admitted. “I did some digging, discovered that he was the physician assigned to perform Corina’s pre-transactional examination, so … I pressed him for info, anything that may have seemed odd.”
“Pressed?”
Jon nodded once. “Turns out the man has quite a few secrets. Secrets he’d prefer I didn’t share with the public. Or his wife,” he added with a grin as he sipped again. “And since news has broken of something not being quite right with this arrangement, others have reached out on their own.”
My brow quirked. “Like who?”
“None other than the Lydian Dynasty’s most infamous, jilted lover herself—Cecelia McNamara.”
The mention of her name brought my attention back to him. She made it clear she wouldn’t just turn over on this, letting Julian get away with how he publicly humiliated her. From the sound of things, she made good on that promise.
I looked over the images again.
“Even if you’re not fully convinced the two are one in the same—Corina and Blackbird—you at least have to admit the possibility exists,” he insisted.
My head spun as I considered it, but for Julian’s sake, I hoped Jon’s hunch wasn’t right. If he’d stumbled onto something solid, then the three men I loved like brothers had possibly just committed the most heinous crime to ever strike our Dynasty.
“You’re different,” Jon blurted. “Unlike your comrades, I trust you—your word, your judgment. So, because of this, I’m going to make you a unique offer I wouldn’t propose to anyone else.”
Staring, I was still starkly uncertain whether he could be trusted.
If you think I’m completely crazy,” he began, “if you think I’m chasing a ghost, just say the word and I’ll drop the entire story. However, if you look at these images and see the same thing I do, I’ll pursue it for us both,” he declared. “For our beloved Dynasty.”
We were plunged into silence as I considered the ins and outs of what he proposed.
“Is there any way to maneuver through this, pursue your hunch without the other princes’ reputations being marred further? Without them coming under fire by the Magistrates?”
Jon’s grave expression was a prelude to a grim response.
“I won’t lie and pretend that shielding them from the fallout has been a priority, but either way, the answer to your question is no. If they’re guilty, if they’ve colluded in this scheme to any degree, they would be at the complete mercy of the law.”
My gaze shifted to the floor when he gave the answer I expected.
“But I’d like you to consider that this is bigger than any of you, bigger than any of us,” he continued. “If I’m right about her, and things progress as scheduled with this bond, think of how dangerous someone with Blackbird’s motives would be with the power of four monarchs coursing through her veins. Not only would she be more dangerous, she’d be virtually unstoppable.”
My heart thundered once more, just imagining the disaster it would ensue if that were to happen. Giving Jon permission to delve deeper into his investigation with my support would mean that all who’d gotten their hands dirty in this mess would be exposed. Even those I loved. However, he’d made another valid point. I’d been dragged into this against my will, forced to agree to a bond with a human, all to protect one of my brothers. If the tables had been turned, and it was me who’d gotten into the mess Julian had, I never would have allowed him to sacrifice his life to save mine.
But Julian had done just that, and what Jon offered would provide me with something I might never be presented with again.
A way out.
“If you’d like to sleep on it, you have my contact information,” he reminded me. “But it would be remiss of me not to equip you with all the details before you go, details pertinent to the choice you’re faced with.”
Hearing his grave tone, I peered up at him again.
“These images,” he sighed, “they were taken at the Dorchester Compound, approximately one year ago.”
At first, I thought I heard him incorrectly, replaying his statement several times in my thoughts before I accepted what had been revealed.
“These were taken from the night Regina died?” My heart felt weighed down when I said the words out loud. “Blackbird was there?”
Jon placed a hand on my shoulder, meant to console me, I guessed. Only, there was no consolation for that deep a loss, the kind that made it feel like your soul itself had turned cold.
“While no one can say for certain, I believe this photo more than proves Blackbird was responsible,” was Jon’s stance. “I can give you a few days to think things over and—”
“Do it.” The words left my mouth in a rush, before I could change my mind. Before I could convince myself that it wasn’t the right thing to do.
Jon did well to conceal how pleased he was that I’d pledged my full support, giving him the greenlight to pursue the leads he had roping my Dynasty Brothers in with Corina.
“The moment I have more information, you’ll be the first person I call.”
Standing, I nodded. And as I made my way toward the exit, I held an image of Blackbird in my thoughts as darkness spread within me, like a rogue river that surged into a valley.
“Please do,” I answered. “I look forward to hearing from you again.”
Chapter Eight
Corina
Few would argue that craving a monster was anything short of sacrilegious, heretical even. And yet, for me, when it came to the beast who forced me to engage in a Claiming ceremony against my will, it bore a second connotation.
It wreaked of truth, because I dreamed of him again.
> Thoughts of Aaric mingled with the fresh memory of being with Levi. Even now, as he rested quietly beside me, my thoughts were torn equally between three—Levi, Julian, and Aaric.
Thinking about my new connection, I stared at the green-painted wall of Glenn’s guest bedroom, mere inches away. When I released a breath, Levi’s chest pressed to my naked back, and the feel of him so close soothed some of the tension. Next, the tip of a cool fingertip traced the curve of my shoulder and my eyes drifted closed.
“We’ll be out of here today,” he promised, “back with Si and Julian.” There was no missing that he was at least as anxious for that as I was. Although, I was certain he didn’t carry the anxiety that I did.
A small part of me still questioned whether Julian’s affection toward me would be overshadowed by anger—for what I’d done, for the unwanted attention I likely drew his way when I left. I didn’t regret trying to get away, but I can admit to wishing that doing so hadn’t possibly cost me his trust.
Reaching for Levi’s hand, I laced my fingers with his. When I didn’t speak, I knew he sensed I wasn’t myself this morning. After what we shared the night before, we should have still been basking in the afterglow. Yet, here I was, fretting over a dream that starred one of the cruelest Ianites I encountered in my lifetime.
The effects of the Claiming were no respecter of persons, which meant I felt for one what I felt for them all, including the one who hadn’t been in any of our plans. My connection to Aaric was, unfortunately, no different than with the others. Just as I longed for the two princes’ day and night, a deep part of my soul now longed for him too.
On some nights, there were nightmares, flashes from the evening I’d been attacked, and then drugged. Other nights, like the last, the dreams were of a more … carnal nature. Ones where my subconscious had thrust me into compromising positions with that animal, making it harder to feed the hatred within, because the way I experienced him in those dreams was so starkly different from what I knew to be the real him.
