Page 13 of A Kiss From Death (Oath of Vengeance #1)

I try to stray my gaze from her in submission, but her glowing orbs are like magnets for mine.

They glow a bright orange, like twin flames swirling inside them.

Her features are sharp to match her disposition.

Her skin is warm in tone to match the rest of her.

Freckles dance about her skin like sparks igniting across it .

The room has raised in temperature by a few degrees from the outfit accentuating her every curve.

Blood red leather is sucked around her in a skin-tight, strapless, floor length dress.

It hugs her body before it flares out from her knees to the floor.

Every inch of her dress is lit by flames licking at the air.

I assume this illusion is due to magic, since she isn’t screaming in pain, but it still radiates slight heat in warning. She clears her throat in greeting. “Welcome to the start of your destiny, however short or long it may be. Let the annual Reaper Crucible commence.”

I imagine an evil laugh ringing through her head at the prospect of fresh blood being spilled for her entertainment.

She is sick and twisted, everything I do not want to be in life.

Once I take out my competitors, maybe I’ll take her out as a victory lap.

Let the hand that feeds us poison get a taste of her own medicine.

We all bow, and she smiles at our compliance. “You may be seated.”

The sound of chairs dragging across the floorboards ring out around us as we all shuffle back into our seats.

“Feast and celebrate tonight, but tomorrow, your training and ranking begins. Oh, and one more thing: I hate being disappointed.” She claps her hands, and servers flood in from every direction, carrying more trays laden with smoky meats, colorful fruit, and potent-smelling drinks.

My eyes track every new slice of heaven.

I stack one of everything on my plate like a starved stray saving rations for the future.

I guess, in a way, I am; I have never seen this much food in a single area at one time.

It makes my stomach turn in guilt and fury that all this food is being thrown around for party tricks while innocent people and children are starving on the streets of Vagrant.

Suddenly, I have no appetite at all. I shove my full plate slightly in front of me so I can rest my elbows on the table, planting my knuckles under my chin. Humming to myself, I push the food around on my plate with my fork to blend in with my surroundings .

Time goes by in a blur, with shouts and laughs and cheers swirling around me like a tornado. I’m zoned out thinking about what Theo would think of all this when I feel a small tap on my shoulder.

“Are you going to eat that?” Ray points to the bubbling pink pastry sitting on my plate. “It’s just… It looks really good, and, uh…all of them were gone before I got the chance to grab one.” She sounds hesitant, like this is the first time she has asked anyone for something.

There’s fear of rejection glimmering in her eyes that I assume stems from her home life. If I can stoke her with a little more self-assurance by this simple act of kindness, maybe it will grace me with some good karma as well. It’s a win-win.

“By all means, it’s yours.” I throw her a simple smile and shove my plate her way. The smile that spreads across her face could rival the sun, the embodiment of her name.

The innocent encounter is cut short by a calloused hand slamming down on my plate.

What the Empress!

“She needs to eat her own food. There is plenty still left for you to pick on,” Hade growls out at Ray, living up to his Cardinal rumors.

Ray gasps in shock and fear, stealing her hand back. “Flowers, sorry,” she chokes out. In an instant, all the confidence starting to light up her face disappears. I’m getting really sick and tired of men putting their damn hands where they don’t belong.

On instinct, I dig my nails into his hand holding my plate hostage. “If I want to share my food with her, then that is exactly what I’m going to do,” I bite out as I feel liquid pooling under my nails. At this point, I don’t care who I have to make bleed to get what I want .

“There is plenty of food here to go around. She does not need the food off your plate that is supposed to be in your stomach. Don’t think I didn’t notice you haven’t touched a single thing.”

Empress, has he been here watching me this entire time? I guess I shouldn’t be shocked, since he is tasked with keeping track of my every move, but I didn’t think that meant watching me eat.

“Well, as you see, what Ray here wants can only be found on my plate. Since I have no plans to eat it, she’s doing me a favor by not letting it go to waste,” I seethe.

He scoffs. “Like you’re letting your body go to waste by not eating? Look at you; when was the last time you had a proper meal? You need to eat if you want any chance of making it through the Crucible. Food is fuel, and fuel is power.”

He almost sounds as if he cares—almost. “I’ve taken care of myself just fine up until now, and I think I’m doing well enough. Exceedingly, some would even say,” I add.

He rolls his eyes, mumbling something under his breath, then signals for a server. He whispers in the server’s ear, who nods and strides out of the room. Not even a minute later, the server strides back in with a new tray full of those bubbling pastries.

“I was told you were in need of some cloud cakes, miss?” he questions Ray, holding the tray in front of her face. Her eyes light up when the smoke bursts, and she starts smacking her tongue as the magical smoke floods her taste buds.

Giggling to herself, she grabs one in each hand and plops them down on her plate. Turning, she thanks the server, then Hade before devouring the sweets in front of her. With her attention occupied solely on her food, I turn my gaze back on Hade.

“There, problem solved. Now she has her own to eat, and you can eat yours.” He sits there, staring at my plate like he’s waiting for me to start eating. Wait…is that what he’s doing ?

As if reading my mind, he nods. “I will stand here watching you until you eat. I don’t care if I have to spoon feed you like a child in front of everyone to get the task done.”

Throwing a small tantrum, I stomp my foot and turn towards my plate. “You’re insufferable, you know that?”

Twenty minutes later, I’ve scarfed down over half my plate and even indulged in one glass of “Fire Water”, an alcoholic delicacy in Lunaria known to apparently knock you on your ass.

Sounds about right, because after downing only one glass, I feel like even brooding Hade couldn’t bust my balls from this dizzying haze.

The stuff goes down exactly how it sounds: like flames licking the back of your throat.

It has zero taste, making it dangerously easy to guzzle.

My dress fits a bit snugger across my tummy after eating more than should be humanly possible. I’m tempted to ask Hade to roll me out of here, and a giggle bubbles up my throat.

Damn, this Fire Water is turning me soft.

“Was that a giggle I just heard coming from you, of all people?” Hade’s shocked face comes into view beside me.

Empress, this man keeps popping up out of nowhere like a ghost. “ Was that a giggle I just heard ?” I mock him. I put on my best grumpy Hade impression: scrunching my eyebrows, pouting my lips, and lowering my voice an octave.

“I think you’ve had enough Fire Water for the night. Let me escort you back to your room before people get the impression you actually have a personality. Wouldn’t want to go giving them false hope now, would you, Nightmare ?”

Ugh, fuck him and that stupid fucking nickname. I hate the way it pisses me off and also makes little tingles erupt over my skin at the same time.

“I think I’ve had the perfect amount of Fire Water, actually,” I grit out.

“Your overflowing concern for my wellbeing has been noted, though. I hate to inform you, but the verdict is back, and it rules in favor of me not giving a shit. Shocker, I know,” I say dryly, even though on the inside, I’m on the verge of laughter.

Note to self: next time I need a pick-me-up, the perfect medicine is a tall glass of Fire Water. I can’t even imagine how Des would act on this stuff, and I don’t think I ever want to find out for fear of death by words. What a painful way to go.

Hade disguises what could almost be considered a chuckle with a low grunt. The day I hear that man actually laugh will be the day Lunaria falls out of the sky.

I wonder if his laugh would be deep and gravely, or if it’ll be smooth like a melody. My mind conjures up a million different possibilities, and I try to fight the feeling of wanting to know for myself.

Apparently, this Fire Water has gone straight to my head, because I would never in a million years admit that sober, even to myself.

“Now, if you’ll excuse me, I can escort myself back to my room. Female empowerment and all that.” I wave my hand in his face while sliding my chair back and making a break for the exit.

“Let me walk you,” Hade and Aeron say in union as they flank each side of me. When people say they want men throwing themselves at them, I don’t think this is what they mean. My head spins, and not from the alcohol. That would be a blessing to this dizzying encounter.

I’d forgotten Aeron was even here, since we didn’t talk the entire dinner.

He was busy putting on his charm, making sure everyone knew how big of a deal he was.

Ever the charmer, that one, except I see right through him and his games.

Tomorrow, I need to make a point of training with him.

What’s the saying? Keep your friends close and enemies closer? Yeah, that.

Hade growls and pins Aeron with a look that, in my normal state, might make my knees buckle, but right now, with the alcohol dancing happily through my veins, he reminds me of a predator protecting its young. Pfft.

“You have done enough tonight. Your Vanquisher will escort you back to your room once you’re done comparing the size of your manhood to everyone else here. It’s not flattering or impressive, but please, carry on,” Hade spouts.

Did he…did he just make a joke? No, surely I heard him wrong. There’s no way in Fallout Hade could make such a thing. Maybe he indulged in some Fire Water too?

“The mighty Cardinal. Can’t wait to see if the rumors floating around Fallout are true.

For your sake, I hope they aren’t. You can stop by my room later for a measure, and we can set the rumors straight—if you want, that is.

You know what they say: everything always has a slice of truth to it,” Aeron spews cooly.

“My name is in their mouths, so it sounds like I’m winning.” He huffs, then grabs my arm, spinning me abruptly and pulling me towards the door. “Wish I could say the same about the name Gavis, unfortunately for you.”