Page 6

Chapter six

Evinee

“A nother,” I demanded to the barkeep, slamming the small glass onto the wooden surface. It would take a tavern full of liquor to get me drunk tonight, but I was determined as ever.

The barkeep filled my glass with the amber liquid, arching a brow flirtatiously.

“In a celebratory mood after the wedding, are we?” he said in a husky voice. His beautiful mahogany skin resembled velvet. He was a strong-statured man, but he was barking up the wrong tree … especially tonight.

I threw back the shot, leaning over the bar towards him, making sure that my best assets were on display. He moved towards me, smiling with anticipation. I drew a single finger along his strong, chiseled jawline.

“Do you know who I am?” I whispered into his ear sweetly.

He pulled back slowly, brushing a loose curl away from my face. “I’ve heard a thing or two,” he replied, “about the talented Lady Duprev.”

I giggled innocently, snatching his hand before he could graze my lips with his sticky fingers. My face went feral. I allowed my nails to grow into sharp, flesh-ripping talons. His brow furrowed and jaw clenched as warm blood drizzled from his wrist.

“Then you know,” I said fiercely, “that someone like you would never have a chance with someone like me.” I yanked him closer, freeing his wrist and tangling my fingers in the nape of his hair, holding his head still. “Consider this a mercy. You don’t have the slightest clue who you’re fucking with.”

I flung him back, repositioning myself in the chair. “Another,” I demanded. The barkeep set the bottle on top of the bar, then disappeared. I laughed, shrugging to myself. “Fine by me.”

“Do you really have to terrorize the barkeep of my favorite pub?” came Leenia’s voice. She settled in the chair next to me, reaching across the bar for a glass. I poured her a drink before shooting another one back.

“I let him live,” I replied with a smile.

“What a mercy,” she said, shaking her head. “You left the reception early.”

“ Prince Lyklor was safe with you all hovering like worried milkmaids. My services were no longer needed.”

“Well, Voz, for one, was extremely disappointed you didn’t save him a dance.”

I shot another one back, finally beginning to feel the soft, fuzzy embrace of the liquor. “The twins are your department … not mine.”

“And what is that supposed to mean?”

I arched an eyebrow, allowing myself to grin. “Don’t worry Leenia beans, I’m the last one to judge who you invite into your bed.”

She punched me in the arm while we both laughed. “Bitch,” she whispered, taking another shot.

“Whore. Slut. Bitch. You know, I have so many nicknames around here, I am unsure which is my favorite.”

“How about friend?” she said, taking my hand. I made the mistake of bringing my eyes up to hers. They were full of compassion and worry. “You’re an amazing, loyal, and brilliant friend.”

The feeling in my heart I was currently trying to drown fluttered to life once more. I pulled my hand from hers, pouring another shot.

“Friend,” I whispered, swirling the thick liquid in the glass. “Just his friend.”

“I know expressing feelings isn’t really your thing, but I am here … just in case you want to talk.”

“Barkeep,” came a voice that made every hair on my body stand in alert.

I turned over my shoulder, spotting the source of my growing annoyance. Icici Drezmore. Her dark, soulless eyes turned casually towards me. Her head of thick, black hair tilted slightly, displaying her perfect white smile.

“And what do we have here,” she said, every word dripping with venom. “The court slut and the outcast. What a fitting pair.”

My vision tunneled. I could hear my blood pumping through my veins as my heart raced with rage.

“Icici,” Leenia said calmly. “Go find another hole to hide your traitorous face in.”

Icici giggled, never removing her eyes from me. “You know, I always did wonder what the males of this court saw in you. I mean, even for a dark alfar, your sexual escapades are legendary. I remember overhearing married lords speak with my father about how they would forsake their wives in order to claim the great Evinee Duprev.”

My breathing was rapidly picking up pace. My talons buried into the wooden bar while I tried to remain in control. She was a royal. Even the shittiest of royals were off limits to someone like me. Remain in control.

Icici leaned into my face, softening her eyes in a sadistic expression.

“Tell me,” she whispered, “how does it feel to be out bedded by a half-breed? To have the love of your life choose a peasant over a high lady like yourself? Does it bother you, knowing he is currently buried deep inside of her warm, fragile body even though he promised you he would never take a wife?”

Click . I felt it. My control slipped through my fingers. I turned over my shoulder, smiling at Leenia. “Talking about feelings is overrated, don’t you think?”

I wrapped my fingers around the neck of the bottle. Moving swifter than light, I slammed the liquor bottle into Icici’s head. Then everything around me went dark.