Page 17 of House of Demons and Bones (Shades of Ruin and Magic #5)

16

Barbie

R owan’s eyes gleamed silver with calculation as Killian laid out his plan to tell the other heirs about Sy and me. The fae prince had bolted to Killian’s House of Chaos the moment he got the message.

We huddled in Killian’s penthouse office—me sinking into a plush chair while Killian stood guard behind me, his hand steady on my shoulder. Rowan stalked by the window, both heirs too wired to sit, letting the tension crackle.

“Fine,” Rowan snapped. “I don’t want them sniffing around Sy any more than you want them courting Barbie. It’s bad enough that Sy has to share space with her. Makes me sick watching Sy get played while she sits in the dark with no life, and Barbie just bounces around living it up.”

What the fuck?

Sy bobbed her head, biting back hot tears, as if her lover could see her. I rolled my eyes at her dramatics.

Bouncing around living it up? He had no fucking clue about my burdens. My enemies lurked in the shadows, waiting to strike. The druid and his brotherhood cult were still out there, hunting me. Grace and her minions, including my former Underdog supporters, aimed to make my life hell, though they were failing at every turn. The Queen of the Underworld posed an even bigger threat as the mastermind behind many nasty plots against me. I’d been looking over my shoulder constantly ever since that demon queen set up the sixth house in the academy’s backyard.

I’m watching your six, Sy said.

Before returning to campus, Killian cloaked our mating bond. He worried about Queen Lilith discovering it before his plan was set in place. He refused to risk me before he believed I could go toe-to-toe against his ex-betrothed.

For once, I didn’t care that he hadn’t mentioned how or when he would break up with her. I didn’t need a public announcement. He was mine , through and through.

His dragon grunted. Once we eliminate the threats, Killian, you need to announce our true mate properly!

Tyson kept Hades’s heir in check, my interests close to his dragon heart.

“This isn’t about screen time between Barbie and her sister,” Killian snapped. “The God of Ruin will soon come in person with his army, and we need all the heirs to win this war and protect our mates. Our forefathers divided, but we can’t afford the same mistake when we have a common enemy. I need you to back me up and work your charm with the other heirs. Don’t screw this up.”

“Who’s the one screwing up everything, asshole?” Rowan shot back. “You’ve got nerve lecturing me. Your arrogance truly has no bounds. No wonder you need me to get the rest of the heirs to listen, since no one likes you. Not even Cade now.”

He’d dropped his amiable act toward Killian since their duel. He understood why Killian had forced him into a death match, but understanding didn’t mean forgiveness. He tolerated Killian now only because Sy and I shared a body.

“Just go get them,” Killian said. “The stakes are high. We might have to fight enemies on two fronts. You want to protect our mates or stand here berating me?”

Rowan shook his head in disgust but left to summon the other heirs—after demanding to see Sy first. She surfaced eagerly when I gave her control. The two locked lips, going at it for two and a half minutes until Killian and I put a stop to it. If we hadn’t, they might’ve fucked right there in front of us.

These days, people had no shame.

While I briefed Underhill about the classified meeting, Killian posted up at the entrance, waiting for the other heirs to arrive. Both he and Rowan had agreed to my proposal of meeting in Underhill, the safest place for dark secrets. I’d promised them Underhill would welcome all the heirs and play the courteous host.

“What’s the emergency?” Silas swaggered up.

“Rowan wouldn’t spill,” Cade said. “I bailed on my budget meeting for this.”

“This better be worth it,” Louis grunted. “I was feeding when you dragged me here to stand outside Underhill like an idiot.”

Feeding? I wondered if he was banging some bimbo while drinking from her veins.

“Will you stop whining?” Rowan snapped. “We’re meeting here because no one can hear us inside Underhill.”

“Like Underhill would let us in,” Louis scoffed.

Last time, Underhill hadn’t just tossed him out—it had maimed him when he chased after me.

I strolled out, my hands in my pockets, my curls bouncing.

“Underhill agreed to host and let you in,” I said, eyeing Killian. “But?—”

“You’ll all swear a blood oath first.” Killian picked up the line.

The heirs narrowed their eyes at him.

“What blood oath?” Silas demanded.

“To share and keep each other’s darkest secrets,” Killian said.

Silence stretched. Every heir had skeletons in their closet.

“You’ve got nothing to trade. We know your secret,” Silas said.

Killian frowned at him.

“You’re Hades’s heir, we get it,” Cade said.

Killian shot me a look. I blinked slowly, all innocence.

He sighed. “I have more dangerous secrets than that.”

“Told you the asshole can’t be trusted,” Silas said, throwing meaningful looks at the others.

“This is bigger than my secrets,” Killian said. “If we don’t do this—if we don’t bare our secrets—our alliance breaks. No trust means the truce between our kingdoms shatters too.”

“We’re brothers, aren’t we?” Rowan said. “Time to act like it and trust each other. The realm is in more danger than you know.”

“You in or not?” I asked, power infusing my voice.

All eyes locked on me.

“Is this about Barbie?” Silas asked, looking around.

“Yes,” Killian answered impatiently. “You’ll learn who Barbie really is. We’ll make a new pact between the five of us—a blood pact.”

“Trust me, it’ll be worth it,” Rowan added. “Barbie’s more than meets the eye.”

“Never doubted that.” Silas flashed me a smile, and Killian growled.

The shifter prince treated me like dirt when he thought I was a boy with a dormant wolf. He only started seeing me in a new light after Killian brought me to the House of Chaos. Still, he’d helped save my life with the others, so I’d moved past my grudge against him and Louis.

“Fuck it. Let’s do this.” Louis yanked out a blade and slashed it across his palm.

“Underhill will witness your blood oath,” I said, backing into the dark forest. “When you’re done, it’ll let you in.”

“For the sake of being received by Underhill, I’ll do it,” Cade said.

“Fine, count me in,” Silas said. “I don’t like being left alone. If there’s any conspiracy, I want to know about it.”

As I waited by the pool, the heirs sauntered in one by one. Shadow beasts escorted them, growling at the scent of their blood. The wounds would seal soon—perks of being the most powerful supernaturals. The beasts wouldn’t attack, snacking on the heirs, under Underhill’s tight leash, but the heirs didn’t seem concerned anyway.

They craned their necks and gazed around in awe.

Except for Killian in his dream walk, none had ventured into the dark forest before. Rowan had access only to the cabin at Underhill’s edge when Sy joined him. Silas and Louis had tried forcing their way in last time and nearly broke their necks when Underhill hurled them out in warning. And this was Cade’s first step into the forbidden forest.

Ancient trees scraped the sky. Flowers glowed like stars. Tiny winged fairies zipped between branches. Blue magic fire roared to life in twin hearths materializing beside the spring lake. Three tables shimmered into existence and dotted the center of the clearing, gold goblets brimming with fairy wine. There were even plush towels stacked on carved benches.

The lake with the purest water in the world glowed from the bottom, misty light rising into the air like a forgotten dream.

“This is incredible!” Louis grinned ear-to-ear.

Underhill had created a magical resort.

A column burst from the center of the lake, morphing into a fountain of wine. Liquid rainbows swirled at its peak, and a dozen crystal cups floated around the fountain.

Cade’s eyes went wide. “Wild magic!”

“You should’ve said this was a party,” Silas shouted at Killian, throwing back his head and howling before stripping.

“Keep your pants on,” Killian barked.

“Since when do you care about nudity?” Silas shot back.

Rowan backed Killian. “Lady present!”

“Barbie’s no lady,” Louis said.

Killian glared at him. “What did you say?”

“She’s more than a lady.” Louis winked at me.

“Back off, vamp,” Killian hissed. “You’d flirt with the dead.”

“Never did that.” Louis rolled his pale blue eyes. “And you take nasty to a new level, asshole.”

“Just keep your briefs on,” Killian snapped. “I asked nicely.”

Seconds later, Louis and Silas stood in just their boxers.

Louis was all hard muscles and perfectly tanned, breaking the vampire stereotype. His manbun sat tight at his nape, his pale blue eyes gleaming with glee. He was as hot as Silas, but his features had that aristocratic edge the shifter prince lacked.

Silas stood an inch shorter but broader, biceps on constant display. Among the princes, the shifter heir loved brute force the most. A tattoo of giant paws crawled down his left temple—the same marks that showed on his wolf form. That was something he never shut up about.

“Keep your boxers on at all times, gentlemen!” Rowan shouted a reminder. “Please.”

He didn’t want Sy ogling the naked heirs through my eyes, but she was doing exactly that, hovering just beneath my skin. She graded them based on cut chests, six-packs, and powerful thighs. It wasn’t every day you caught all the heirs shirtless in one place.

Not all of them took off their shirts, unfortunately, she said, eyeing Killian, Cade, and Rowan pointedly.

Killian stood guard over me while Rowan watched Sy by watching me. Even clothed, the fae heir and chaos heir had bodies built to kill and fuck. Killian’s presence fired my blood with lust—my mate radiated power and raw sexuality even at rest. Among the heirs, he had the most carnal energy.

Our eyes locked. His scent of powerful male and winter pine hit me, mixed with his dragon’s flame and brimstone.

Delicious men, Sy purred. And my mate is the most desirable.

She gave him a ten plus. Sure, he was stunning, with elegant fae features and flowing silver hair, but I didn’t think he was in Killian’s league. Sensing Sy’s yearning, Rowan peered into my eyes that flashed golden when I glanced at him.

I pushed back Sy’s claws, shoving her a few inches deeper while blocking her pheromones from seeping through my skin.

The vamp and shifter princes dove into the lake, laughing as they splashed toward the wine fountain. Louis got there first, snagging a floating cup.

“Divine,” he said after a sip. “We should come here more often.”

“Only when Barbie’s around will we be allowed in,” Killian reminded him.

“Or Sy,” Rowan added.

“Where is Lady Sy?” Silas asked.

“You’ll see her,” Rowan said.

Cade flicked his wand, stripping to his boxers, his deep wine-red hair falling into his turquoise eyes. He folded his clothes neatly on a bench before he joined the others. He lacked their bulk but was just as strong and cut, and his bronze skin was lickable, according to Sy.

Water splashed around the mage prince as light beamed from below, making him look otherworldly. He laughed, flinging water at the others with wind magic.

I yanked off my boots and dipped my feet in the water, Killian on my left, Rowan on my right. We stayed dressed while a shadow beast pressed against my leg, watching the heirs vigilantly and making sure they weren’t up to no good.

Why was the water always freezing for me? I asked Underhill.

You needed cooling down. You’d have fallen asleep if the water was too warm.

“Don’t get too comfortable. This isn’t a vacation,” Killian told the heirs. “Time to work, guys. Silas, share your secrets.”

“Why me first?” Silas snorted. “You start.”

“You know Hades is my grandfather and I’m the true Underworld heir,” Killian said. “Not even my father knows my mother’s real identity.”

I’d revealed that secret of his since it would come out eventually. Supernaturals respected power above all—knowing the chaos heir was the Underworld’s true heir wouldn’t cost him anything but would boost his status.

“Why did your mother—Hades’s daughter—hide her identity?” Louis asked.

Killian shrugged.

“Why hide being a demigod?” Cade pressed.

“Asshole just loves hoarding secrets,” Rowan said.

The others nodded grudgingly. Rowan used to back Killian, but the death duel had scarred their friendship. They only worked together for the sake of Sy and me now.

“My mother abandoned me when I was three,” Killian said, jaw tight. “Excuse me if I don’t advertise that part of my heritage.”

“You kept that secret for decades. You never treated us as your peers.” Silas glared.

“Like you’re not hiding yours,” Killian shot back. “Remember your blood oath.”

Rowan shook his head. “Everything coming out of your mouth is offensive, Killian.” He turned to the other heirs. “Ignore him. I’ll start.”

All eyes turned to the fae prince, and Louis nodded his encouragement.

“I’m a bastard,” Rowan said.

“You’re not, Rowan boy,” Cade said. “You’re a gentleman.”

“Unlike Killian,” Silas said. “He’s the real bastard.”

“I’m not King Emyr’s true son.” Rowan raised his voice. “He’ll exile or kill me if he knows.” He shook his head as jaws dropped. “And no, I don’t know who the fuck sired me, and I don’t care to find out.”

Silas and Louis shared a shocked look before remembering their mutual dislike and glaring at each other.

“You’ve been carrying this burden all these years?” Cade asked. “That’s brutal, man. But listen, you’re one of us. That won’t ever change.”

“Thanks,” Rowan said, his face tight. “But eventually, I want the secret out. I hate living like an imposter.”

“You’re not an imposter,” Louis said. “You’re our brother.”

“And always will be,” Silas said.

Cade swung his wand, and a strong gust barreled toward us. Killian threw up a shield just in time but only covered himself and me. The wind slammed into Rowan before he could fend it off. The fae prince shot Killian a murderous look as he plunged into the lake. A whirlpool materialized, dragging him toward the other heirs while he flailed in his soggy tunic and leather pants.

Silas, Louis, and Cade gripped Rowan’s shoulders.

“Brother,” they said in unison and hugged him.

“You’ve got us,” Cade said. “You’re the only fae heir that matters.”

“Couldn’t you have waited until I stripped before dunking me?” Rowan grumbled.

Silas broke off first, calculation glinting in his amber eyes. “We’ll keep it quiet. But you should give up Lady Sy—for her own good.”

Rowan bared his fangs and snarled. Silas sank into the water. “Just saying.”

“Everything shared here stays here,” Killian warned. “We’ve all sworn to keep each other’s secrets. Now, let’s move to the next heir.”

“Barbie hasn’t taken the blood oath,” Silas said. “Don’t get me wrong—I’ve always liked Barbie. But everyone knows our Barbie is unpredictable. A ticking bomb.”

“She isn’t your Barbie, and she doesn’t need an oath,” Killian said curtly.

“Since when do you speak for her?” Louis snapped. “She belongs to the House of Mages now.”

“I can speak for my true mate whenever I want, just as she speaks for me,” Killian said.

Cade blinked. “What? What are you talking about?”

“What the fuck are you talking about?” Louis said angrily.

“Aren’t you betrothed to the Queen of the Underworld?” Silas’s lips curled into a sneer. “Word is, you’ve already sealed a mating bond.”

I bared my teeth at the heirs.

"A fake bond I never consented to," Killian bit out.

“Barbie isn’t yours!” Louis lunged forward, fury twisting his features.

"Agreed." Silas's voice dripped venom. "Just another of his lies."

“Unfortunately, Barbie is his true mate,” Rowan said, dragging a hand down his face. “Can’t believe this asshole got blessed with a true mate. Then again, you should not envy him—he got Barbie.”

I glared daggers at him.

Killian unleashed his starlight, revealing our uncloaked mating bond. He lifted his wrist, displaying the glowing icon—two half-circles embracing in eternal unity—while the same mark blazed dark gold on my skin.

A perfect, undeniable match.

The heirs inhaled sharply.

“The mating bond symbol,” Cade breathed. “Stronger than any force.”

"Well, that's an unfortunate turn of events," the vampire prince drawled. “Very disappointing.”

“My mate is off-limits.” Killian’s warning glare swept the heirs. “Don’t even think about poaching her. Barbie isn’t just my true fated mate. She’s also mated to my dragon—the one I never told you about.”

A growl rumbled from his chest as his dragon announced his existence by puffing out a jet of fire from Killian’s lips.

“Your turn, Silas,” Cade said, in a hurry to dispel the tension and get the ball rolling.

The shifter prince drained his silver goblet and exhaled in defeat. “No judgment, fuckers. All right?”

“Just spill it,” Killian snapped. “We don’t have all day.”

“At thirteen, I broke into my mom’s vault and read her diary,” he said. I leaned in—diaries always held the juiciest secrets. “She wrote about her affairs. Two men, before she discovered she was with child—me. One was the current alpha king. The other”—he jabbed his finger at Killian—“was your fucking father. He seduced her during her court visit.”

Everyone’s eyes ping-ponged between Killian and Silas. Looking closer, I caught the subtle resemblance.

“My father had many affairs,” Killian said flatly. “But you can’t be my half-brother. No fucking way. Fates aren’t that stupid and cruel.”

“Fates can be,” Rowan said. “Nature is crueler.”

“Have you done a DNA test just to make sure, Prince Silas?” I asked. “Denial isn’t a good attitude to begin with.”

Silas’s glare shifted from Killian to me then to Killian again, whose face remained cold. “I’ll never do a fucking D-whatever test. I don’t give a shit about finding out.”

I held my tongue—his resentment toward Killian and their constant pissing contests proved he cared plenty. Still, I got it. The final truth of being the chaos king’s bastard and Killian’s half-brother would wreck him.

He’d also lose his popularity, hand his sister leverage to challenge his heir status, and lose his court’s backing. Even if he won the duel, being outed as illegitimate would strip him of everything.

Royals and their dirty laundry.

“ That was unfortunate,” Cade said, threading his hand through his wine-colored hair.

“Enough,” Silas snarled, jabbing a finger at Louis. “Your turn—bet you’ve got darker secrets.”

Louis sighed. “Not like you lot.”

“Share, bloodsucker! You swore the oath too!” Silas shouted, taking his frustration out on his long-time nemesis.

“Don’t get your boxers twisted, dog. I’m talking,” Louis said. “Sorry to disappoint, but I’m no bastard. And my mother’s blood rage isn’t a secret. She hasn’t been allowed to leave the court for decades. Most nights, she’s confined to the tower. Dad never had other heirs, so no one contests my position. But his expectations crush me. He wants me to find my fated mate and produce the prophesied One.” That explained his orgies during my stay in the vampire house. “No dirty secrets, just my darkest fear: failing to find my fated mate and disappointing the entire kingdom.” His eyes locked on me longingly. “As you know, for vampires, the only way to confirm their true mate is to claim and drink from her at the same time.”

Killian bared his teeth, Tyson’s fire streaming from his mouth. “Take Barbie off that fuck list.”

“It’s not a fuck list,” Louis snapped. “It helps me find a mate.”

Cade pressed his palm to his forehead. “Not this shit again.”

“Your turn, but I doubt you have any secrets or fears.” Rowan gestured at Cade. “Everyone knows your parents are perfect, and you always look happy and carefree. You don’t have our scars.”

The fae prince couldn’t be more wrong, but only I knew about Cade’s pain.

Cade, the kindest heir who got along with everyone, stared into the distance, his face darkening with each passing second.

“I’m cursed,” he said heavily. “Or being punished.”

“Are you serious?” Silas asked.

“I can never have a mate,” Cade said. “Can’t have love. My kiss freezes anyone to death, so forget about intimacy.” His eyes flicked to me. “There’s only one exception, but she’s different.”

“Who’s she?” Louis asked.

“I won’t expose her,” Cade said.

Rowan frowned. “You took the blood oath.”

I waved a hand and shrugged. “It was me. I kissed him.”

Killian’s fiery gaze landed on me. I stared back. I didn’t back down from a challenge, not even from my fated mate. No one got to control or dominate me, no matter the situation.

The heirs’ eyes bounced between us three.

Killian turned his lethal stare on Cade—his closest ally.

“How dare you?” Killian’s soft voice carried death. “I thought you were my brother.”

“Cade didn’t kiss me,” I said. “I stole his kiss.”

“Why, little scorpion?” Killian demanded. “Why would you kiss another man?”

“For a good reason,” I said, my fingers curling into fists at my sides. “And look at yourself, Killian. I saw how you were with my replica—all whispered conversations.”

“So that was your revenge?” Killian growled, his storm-blue eyes flashing. “I wasn’t cozy with anyone. I kept them distracted so they’d leave you alone.”

“Sure, that worked brilliantly,” I sneered, ignoring the way my heart raced at his proximity and my body hummed at his heat.

“Drop it, Killian,” Cade said. “No one knew she was your true mate until now.”

“I never got a kiss from Barbie,” Louis complained. “I courted her properly, brought fancy gifts. She even advised what gifts she’d accept in advance.”

“I sent expensive stuff too and got nothing back,” Silas said, looking wounded.

“I got all of them,” I said. “And I gave you the receipts.”

“The handwriting was illegible,” Louis grumbled. “And what do I need a receipt for?”

Killian laughed. “Barbie hoards like my dragon.”

Tyson growled proudly.

I always accepted gifts gracefully, with a big grin on my face. I also split my treasures between the House of Mages and the House of Chaos—I never put all my eggs in one basket.

Pucker warned me that gathering wealth from the heirs would bite me in the ass. I shrugged, as I didn’t see any harm in collecting riches. I’d developed a taste for nice shiny things. It was more than a hobby now. It was an addiction.

Human mothers used to say, “Don’t take gifts from strangers.”

But the heirs weren’t strangers. Entitled predators, sure, but Sy and I could handle them. We just had to stand firm when accepting gifts.

“I’m not a fairy grandmother handing out kisses,” I said.

“Fairy godmother,” Rowan corrected me. “And that’s not what they do.”

I raised a hand to stop anyone from interrupting me again. “If you’re so pissed, Killian, Cade can steal back the kiss to make it right.”

“How?” Silas asked.

“By kissing me to cancel out the first one,” I said. “Then we’re even.”

Cade laughed, the other heirs joining in. They enjoyed seeing me make the chaos heir squirm.

“That’s not happening,” Killian snarled, lightning coiling between his fingertips, the air sharp with ozone. His jealous rages were legendary, and if this one turned lethal, it could end badly for everyone.

But then, it wasn’t my business, so I just shrugged.

“Asshole, we’re all in the water!” Rowan warned.

At Sy’s urge, I sighed and touched Killian’s arm, absorbing his lightning. The buzz felt pleasant on my skin. He couldn’t harm his mate—I was starting to accept that reality.

“It wasn’t romantic,” I said. “I was just testing if I could break Cade’s curse.”

“Cade’s curse?” Killian blinked at me, his jealousy fading to concern. “But you shouldn’t risk yourself. Not for anyone.”

Cade glared at him before turning to me, his turquoise eyes dark with dismay. “No wonder you gave me that look when you kissed me and claimed to be impulsive,” he said, ignoring Killian narrowing his eyes. “You’ve known about my curse for a while.”

“I couldn’t see it until I joined your house,” I said. “The house magic wanted me to help you. You know that you’re cursed, but you don’t know that you’re being haunted as well. Unfortunately, your curse isn’t a common one—I couldn’t rip it out like I did with those goddamn offensive spells your high mages slapped on the bush fences. When I touched your lips, they were ice-cold.” Cade’s fingers drifted to his mouth. “And I saw her phase out of you, but she failed to kill me. Anyone else who kissed you would’ve dropped dead on the spot.”

The other heirs gaped at me, knowing that I’d even survived the Seed of Heaven.

“Who’s haunting me?” Cade asked before recognition flashed in his eyes and he drew a sharp, pained breath. “Elle.”

“Who’s Elle?” Silas asked.

“My first love,” Cade said. “I was fifteen when I fell for a servant girl, and she fell for me too. Our first kiss was in a closet to avoid getting caught. As soon as my lips touched hers, she froze to death.” He swallowed, pain welling in his eyes, before he forced himself to continue. “My parents’ people covered it up, said she ran away, and threw money at her family.” His hands trembled. “If she’s been haunting me all this time, I deserve it.”

“What did Elle look like?” I asked. “Her hair and eyes?”

“She was lovely. A redhead, like me,” Cade said.

“Then it’s not Elle who cursed you,” I said, tilting my head. “A Fury did this to you.”

Cade blinked, horror and disbelief washing over his face. “A Fury?”

Just as I’d suspected, Cade had no clue about the Fury haunting him—but then, hardly anyone knew jack about Furies, myself included. I’d been watching him closely, but the Fury never showed when I was around. Even now, she wouldn’t manifest.

“A dead witch turned Fury,” I said.

The other heirs—except Killian and Cade—shot me looks that screamed “scammer.” Whatever. I wasn’t hustling Cade for expensive gifts. He was a friend who’d never played games with me.

“Do you trust me, Cade?” I asked.

“When you call me Cade,” he said.

I nodded. “Ever pissed off a dark-haired girl with blue lips? About fourteen, maybe?”

Cade’s brows creased.

Just then, pale smoke wisped from the mage prince’s forehead. The Fury materialized—two inches tall, hovering over his face, frost streaming from her blue lips.

She hissed at me, and Sy hissed back.

I darted wild looks around, but none of the other heirs seemed to be able to see her.

“What is it, Barbie?” Cade asked, muscles tight as he waded toward me. “Something’s wrong, isn’t it?”

“Feel anything different?” I asked, fighting for calm.

“Chills everywhere,” he said, his face paling.

“The Fury just showed up. She’s out now, tiny and floating right in front of your eyes.”

Killian dropped into the water, putting himself between Cade and me, Rowan right beside him. The fae prince was determined to protect me in order to protect Sy.

Cade snarled and swiped at the air, but the Fury stayed put, sneering.

I shook my head. “You can’t get rid of her that way. You two have history.”

“I don’t have history with any girl except Elle,” he said.

“Bayrose. Ring a bell?” I asked.