Page 22

Chapter twenty-two

“W here is your pretty prince, Genevieve?” asked Narella. Otar flashed to my side.

“I don’t have much time. What is it you need?” I asked.

“A new development. Alaric plans to open war on this world in less than a year’s time. Fate has brought you to the light court because this is where he plans to hit first. He will open the portals for an extended time, allowing hordes of creatures through. I will be forced to call forth the creatures that roam this land to attack your forces. I have no control, you must understand.”

“What should we do?” I asked.

“Hold them off for as long as possible while you build your forces. Your power alone will be able to slow them down.” Narella grimaced and strained her neck up and to the side. “He is beckoning me. I must go,” she said, disappearing.

“Well, that wasn’t any fun,” snapped Otar. “I didn’t even get to threaten her!”

“Sounds like you are going to do plenty of killing soon enough. Keep guard around Doonak and report to me if there is an increase of creatures.”

“I can do that,” said Otar, flashing his sharp teeth before he disappeared.

I made my way back to my room and prepared for dinner. I dressed in the proper dark court fashion of dramatic makeup and a revealing dress. The diamond crown sat on top of my dark hair. I looked down at my left hand, admiring my wedding ring.

When I entered the light throne room, I took a deep breath and readied myself. Memories of the king flashed through my head. His smile, his smell, his voice. The feeling of my hand smashed underneath Filo’s hammer. How my skin had smelled while Daealla burned the Lysanthier sigil into my chest. The screams of light alfar on the night Otar had, at my command, torn this place to shreds.

A cruel and wicked grin crept across my face. I let it all go and walked with pride to my seat.

Eren was conversing with a few high ladies. His charm was turned all the way up while they batted their eyelashes at him and laughed at his jokes. One of them caressed his forearm. I forced myself to turn away before I incinerated her ass on the spot. Gods, I couldn’t wait until this was over.

I took a seat across from Gaelin as the servants began to bring out the first course. Gaelin smiled at me. Desire flickered behind his eyes while he took in my appearance.

“How was your afternoon?” he asked.

“Uneventful. And yours?”

“I came looking for you before dinner, but you weren’t in your rooms.”

“I went for a ride on my ragamor. Being back here is … more challenging than I expected,” I lied.

“I hope all of your memories aren’t bad,” he said with an insinuating smile. “Maybe tonight I could stop by your rooms so we could talk.”

I swallowed hard, not knowing what to say. As if he heard my mental plea for help, Eren appeared. He took his seat next to me while Daealla took hers beside Gaelin. Eren ran the back of his hand down my arm.

“Good evening, everyone. What have I missed?” Eren asked, turning from me to Gaelin.

“Making plans for this evening’s entertainment?” Gaelin asked him, indicating the three high ladies.

“It’s always good to have options.” Eren smiled back at him.

We began to dine, and Eren looked at me for answers about my outing. I smiled and nodded, letting him know I’d fill him in later.

The light court had some theatrical play for entertainment that nearly put me to sleep. How in Azeer’s name had I ever thought this place entrancing? The dark court was so much more seductive and alluring. I laughed at myself. Oh, how my morals and expectations had changed in the past year.

After dinner, boring music played throughout the room. A few alfar stood to dance, which was unusual. When Daealla’s father had ruled, there was no dancing after dinner. That only happened at our court.

Daealla stood, looking to Eren. “Prince Lyklor, would you care to dance?” she asked, extending her hand to him. Without looking at me, he stood and kissed her hand a little too long for my liking. A flicker of jealousy and annoyance rushed through every nerve in my body. My hands and arms began to warm. I looked down to see my flame flicker to life. I snuffed it out quickly before anyone could notice.

“It would be my honor, Your Majesty,” Eren said with a smile.

Gaelin looked to me and shrugged. I nodded my acceptance and we moved to the dance floor. He wrapped his arm around my waist, pulling me in tighter than I cared for. I could feel his longing gaze on my face while we glided across the floor to the slow and mundane music.

“You never answered my question about my visit to your rooms this evening,” he whispered softly.

I looked back at him and forced a smile. “Gaelin, I’m married,” I said, not knowing how else to respond.

“Only on paper. It doesn’t have to stand in our way. I meant what I said before I left your court last time. We can make this work. I will fight for you, whatever it takes. After almost losing you, I’ve realized I want nothing more than to be with you. To make you happy.”

“I’m the heir of Doonak. This could never be more than a casual acquaintance.”

“We can make each other happy. I can make you happy, if you give me the chance.”

I looked up at him, the guilt of my deception heavy in my heart. “Gaelin, we can’t. I’m sorry, but—” Eren pulled on my arm as he spun Daealla into my place.

“My turn,” Eren said, attempting to remove me from Gaelin’s grip. Gaelin let go of Daealla and pulled me back to him.

“I don’t think so,” growled Gaelin.

Eren stepped forward, accepting his challenge. “King Atros, you forget your place. This is my wife, which means I get to have her whenever I want. Especially when it inconveniences you. Now, please remove your hands from her, or I will be forced to resort to less comfortable methods of removing your hand.”

I tried to hide my smile. I never realized how enticing it was to hear him threaten others. Gaelin reluctantly let me go as Eren swept me into his arms and over to the other side of the dance floor.

“Thank you,” I whispered.

He smiled down at me. “Oh, I didn’t do that for you. I did it for me. Guess what offer the queen just made us? She suggested we all share each other.”

A laugh fell out of me so loudly, I had to cough to play it off. “She did what?”

“Oh, yes. Apparently, I am that good. She told me all the things she wanted to do to me and wanted me to do to her. If I didn’t know better, I would say she was dark alfar.”

I smiled at him while his face grimaced with disgust. “Well, you will have a free bed tonight. Might as well fill it,” I said tauntingly.

“I’ll find my way to yours, don’t you worry,” he said, running his hand down the side of my breast to my hip. I exhaled with relief, my pheromones slipping past my control. He inhaled with a low moan. “Princess, would you like me to take you right here? I will, if you give me permission, but if not, I suggest you reel that back in. You’re getting strong and it’s harder to control myself.” He pulled me closer to him and I could feel the hardness already rising under his pants.

“Sorry, I just miss you,” I said, getting a handle on my power.

“I’ll take care of your needs, don’t you worry. Now, about our mutual friend. What did she have to say?”

“Alaric is going to wage war on this world within the year. She believes fate has brought us here. They’re going to attack Urial first. She said we need to build our forces while we hold off the oncoming waves of creatures. She will be forced to control the ones already roaming free in the lands, but she has no control of her actions.”

“Well, it looks like we’re going to war.”

“On the plus side, I will get to try out my new crescent blades,” I said with a smile.

Daealla made her way over to us as the music came to an end.

“Princess Genevieve, I bid you a good evening. I am retiring for the night.” She turned her gaze to Eren. “Prince Lyklor, my offer still stands if you change your mind. And I very much hope you do,” she said, placing a hand on his chest.

Without thinking, I pushed it off in irritation.

She looked at me in shock and then gave a low laugh. “You’re a dark alfar, learn to share,” she hissed, walking out of the throne room.

Eren looked down at me and smiled. “Who’s territorial now?” he whispered.

“I will kill both of you,” I said through my teeth.

He took my chin between his fingers and rubbed his nose against mine. “I already told you: you will never have to worry about that. Now, let’s go back to the table and act like respectable royals for a few minutes longer so we can get the hell out of here,” he said, dropping his hands from me.

I followed him back to the table while Gaelin watched the two of us closely. I went to take a seat in my chair, but before I could, Eren pulled me onto his lap, running a hand up my thigh under my dress. He rubbed his nose against my neck before turning to Gaelin.

“You are not in the dark court, Lyklor,” snapped Gaelin, jealousy consuming his expression.

“Dear Gaelin, we are the dark court. The party goes wherever we go,” Eren said, stroking his hand down my arm.

“What are you doing?” I whispered.

“You said I could wear the handsy mask. Well, here is it,” Eren said, nipping at my ear. The scent of oranges and whiskey filled the air. Unable to control myself, I leaned back against him, taking in the scent, letting it turn my body to putty.

“So, you have to use your power to get her to sleep with you. How respectable,” said Gaelin, leaning into the table.

“I don’t have to, but she does enjoy the scent. Don’t you, wife?”

I couldn’t respond. My body was lighting up from his power and the feeling of his skin against mine. I didn’t know what he was doing. This wasn’t a part of the plan, but I didn’t care. I just didn’t want him to stop.

“You’re pathetic. You’re only doing this to get a rise out of me,” said Gaelin, sitting back in his chair.

“Am I? Or do I just enjoy the feeling of my wife?” Eren said, running his hand down my neck. I turned and smiled at him, unable to control myself. He reached down, taking my left hand in his as he laced our fingers together.

“What are those?” Gaelin demanded, sitting up straighter.

“Wedding rings, you idiot,” Eren said, not taking his eyes from mine. “They’re our commitment to one another. You’re familiar with the symbolism in The Frey, aren’t you Gaelin? Since my wife is half-human, I had one made for her to represent our union. In return, she had one made for me. Adorable, aren’t they?”

I turned to Gaelin; his face tensed while he absorbed Eren’s words.

“You’re lying,” whispered Gaelin.

“Not about this,” Eren said, finally looking at Gaelin. “Never to her. My promise is real, and so is hers.”

Gaelin’s face flashed from pain, to shock, and then to a look I had never witnessed before. He sat back with a smile, appraising us both.

“Since you offered to compare notes,” began Gaelin, “how does it feel to know I was buried in your wife first? To know that my seed swam through her body before she ever knew you? To know that her mouth … the mouth that you now kiss … was around my cock?”

Eren’s body stiffened and his grip on me tightened. His face remained calm, but his jaw tensed as he tilted his head towards Gaelin. “I’d suggest, for your own safety, that you forget any images of my wife,” said Eren.

“Doesn’t surprise me you’re okay having my seconds,” Gaelin said. “You are a lowborn, after all. Eating our scraps is something your kind gets used to.”

I snapped out of Eren’s powers. “Gaelin!” I said furiously.

He looked at me with mild disgust. “You seemed to enjoy me that first night I took your maidenhood. Though, it could have been just another way to manipulate me, since that seems to be what you are good at. Come to think of it, you both deserve each other. You’re one and the same,” Gaelin spat.

I could hear the pain in his voice. I couldn’t defend myself, because everything he said was true. I had manipulated him, over and over again, until I got him to move the way I needed.

“Refrain from insulting my wife. You are treading a line that you will regret crossing,” Eren said.

“I hate to break it to you, Lyklor, but I’ve already ridden and crossed every line with your lovely wife. And she moaned my name the entire time. Mm, I remember the way her little body quivered underneath mine,” Gaelin said.

Eren let out a light laugh, dropping his eyes. He pushed me up and placed me in my chair before he casually walked over to Gaelin. Gaelin stood, face-to-face with Eren. The court readied themselves for their evening entertainment.

Zerrial and the others stood, preparing to attack if necessary. I rushed forward, putting myself between the two of them. As I placed a hand on both Eren and Gaelin, Gaelin pushed me with enough force that I went stumbling to the ground.

“Do not ever touch me again, you whore,” Gaelin yelled, more hatred in his eyes than I had ever seen.

Eren’s hands flew up in front of him. Gaelin dropped to his knees, holding his head while he screamed. Leenia helped me from the floor while our family surrounded us.

“Do not ever think to touch my wife again, nor call her anything other than her name! Am I clear, king ?” Eren yelled.

Gaelin grunted and roared as he brought a hand forward. Thorned vines twirled up Eren’s legs, slashing the fabric of his black suit while they held him in place, severing his connection to his power. I never realized how strong Gaelin’s will was until that moment.

Gaelin smiled and approached Eren. Zerrial and the others took a step forward towards Eren. Gaelin reached for the sword in his belt that I knew was made of ulyrium.

I raised my hands, calling on my dark magic. My fire ate through the vines that restrained Eren in seconds. Wild, lashing flames blazed from me into a circular barrier around Gaelin, Eren, and myself, protecting those on the outside. Zerrial tossed me his sword, and I slammed the hilt into the side of Gaelin’s head.

Light court guards surrounded Eren and I instantly. My power billowed from me, anger raging freely beneath my skin. How dare he think to threaten what is mine? Gaelin shook his head as I reached down and picked him up by the neck. My power gave me a strength I had never experienced before, but all I could think about was destroying Gaelin. Dark flames licked around me while my grip on his neck tightened. Gaelin looked down at me in disbelief. I threw him forward, absorbing my power. I took a deep breath, calming the violent storm inside of me while smoke and ash sizzled around us.

“Let me make myself clear, Gaelin Atros,” I said, tilting my chin sharply to crack my neck, as I had witnessed Otar do so often. “Erendrial Lyklor is my husband … and my future king. He is the only male I have ever chosen for myself. He is the only one I have and will ever want. If you ever think to disrespect him or me again, I will burn this whole fucking castle to the ground. I will destroy anything you hope to build, and I will take away everything that means anything to you. You will never speak of me in that vulgar manner again, and you will never lift a hand to harm my husband, or I will dissolve our treaty, and you will become my enemy. Do I make myself clear?”

Gaelin stood and signaled to the guards to put their weapons away. He walked over to me slowly until we were face-to-face. He took a moment to study me.

“He has destroyed you,” he said with a heavy heart. “The Genevieve I knew and loved is gone.”

“Thank Azeer for that,” I said, turning away from him to face Eren.

Eren looked at me with pride and smiled, offering me his hand. I grinned back, taking my husband’s hand as we sauntered out of the throne room. Once clear of the guards, Eren nodded to the others that it was okay to go back to their rooms. We continued in silence until we were safely behind my bedroom doors.

“What was that about?” I said with aggression. “I thought we weren’t trying to piss off Gaelin until after the arrangements were decided upon.”

“How much did you expect me to take, Genevieve? I heard him propositioning you on the dance floor. When were you going to tell me he had offered this deal to you? What—the two of you would meet each month to have your dalliance, without either court noticing?” Eren said, running his hand through his hair, trying to cool his temper.

“It was never going to happen. I told him that. Do you really think I would ever let him touch me?”

He turned to me; his eyes heavy with worry. “Honestly, before tonight I did, but—” he stopped and let out a laugh of relief. “Not after the performance you just gave.”

I smiled, wrapping my arms around his neck. “You know, the definition of a monogamous relationship means both parties are committed. On top of that, what female would ever choose him over the great Erendrial Lyklor?”

“The only female I care about is this one right here,” he said, leaning down into my face.

“Then you have nothing to worry about.”

He kissed down the side of my face as I leaned back, allowing him full access to my neck.

“I’ve never had a female claim me the way you just did in front of everyone. It was sexy as fuck.”

I chuckled, pulling my head back. “Now, enough talking. Let the oranges and whiskey free and take me against every surface in this room.”

His eyebrow arched. “Just this room? Or is the hallway a possibility too?”

“I don’t care, just take me,” I said, not wanting to wait a minute longer. I took his mouth with mine. We spent the rest of the night making love to each other until I was unable to move.