Page 5 of Monsters (Vengeance #3)

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“ I realllllyy don’t want to wear this,” Marabella blushed, “I look stupid.”

“Wrong!” Esme stated as she looked over my friend. “You look awesome and those boys are going to wish they hadn’t been such dumbasses earlier.”

Her dark eyes took on a frustrated glint as my slender friend looked over her modern clothing.

I figured we had to set the trend somewhere and this festival seemed like the right place to start.

That was if my men let me go to the festival.

Not that they could actually stop me, but I suppose if their fears were valid, I might consider listening to them.

Besides, the city was essentially on lockdown but I was assured the celebration would still occur followed by a massive meal, all organized by my brother.

I closed my eyes and tried to keep my mind “free of distractions” as Esme put it.

Except getting ready for a party was the last thing on my mind right now.

As I mentioned before, my coronation had made me realize how possessive and protective I felt over the kingdom.

While I knew today had been an attack specifically on me, I was far more concerned about the kingdom as a whole.

It felt like there was something brewing and despite being assured that Mario had yet to leave his kingdom, I felt off.

Maybe Esme was right and I needed to just take today in stride. These problems would be there in the morning as she had stated several times. Honestly, I hadn’t realized just how much I’d missed my stunning friend. I loved Marabella and the boys but no one called me out on my shit like Esme.

“I like it.” I stated while looking over her outfit.

Marabella was wearing a pair of leather jeans and an oversized, off-the-shoulder green sweater.

I’d compromised allowing her wearing black sneakers but only because they were velvet.

She looked beautiful and I could tell she needed it with how everything had gone down between her and Bobby. The confusion was etched into her face.

Esme had been a far better friend to her today than I had, so I wanted to assure her of something even if I couldn’t seem to give advice to save my life.

My sarcastic friend sat on the edge of the tub as she re-painted her nails a different shade of gold for the hundredth time this week.

She repeated her mantra of “I’m over this color” and the process of completely re-doing them.

Honestly, it was sort of funny. The dress she wore was tight and warm looking, a cream-colored sweater material, and it highlighted the chandeliers of gold earrings and curly ringlets of dark hair.

At least I wouldn’t be the only one with a good sense of style now. I mean I loved the concept of being a leather-wearing badass but that shit did get uncomfortable.

“I just don’t get it,” Marabella frowned, her eyes filled with trepidation.

“I have been crazy about Palo for over two years now, but he’s done everything from absolutely nothing too confusing me about his thoughts about us.

Then I find Robert, and actually connect with him.

Plus, Robert really likes me and isn’t afraid to admit to it! It is so flippin’ refreshing.”

“And you’re his mate,” Esme offered a satisfied grin at her friend’s potential happiness. I felt the same. I was honestly thrilled the two of them had hit it off so well and I think it was partly because they were both shifters.

“But now,” Marabella rolled her eyes, “Palo is acting like I belong to him. Well, he had his shot. I just feel like this sudden push is for the wrong reasons.”

“He’s being possessive,” I commented.

“I would totally be okay with being with both of them, obviously.” She turned pink but was on a roll.

“But I don’t want to be with Palo if he only likes me because someone is stealing his metaphorical toy.

I never thought that was the case but in the entire time I’ve known him, he has never acted like such a jerk. ”

I nodded as I stood up on my heeled boots as I crossed the room.

My jeans were a dark almost midnight color and I wore a vintage corset with it so that my waist was highlighted.

Honestly, it was super badass. I even liked how the blouse underneath hung off my shoulders with loose sleeves.

It was sort of pirate-like but in a Versace meets Pirates of the Caribbean way.

“You need to tell him that,” I stated, softly.

I had never gotten the full story regarding the two of them.

My understanding was that they had met by accident two years ago and created a bit of a messy history.

Everything from not talking at all because he hurt her feelings to just trying to be “friends.” Honestly, I’m terrible with emotions so I have no fucking idea how she does it.

Everything is very black and white for me, no shades of grey… we all see the humor in that, yes ?

She shook her head. “No. Then he’s just going to tell me what I want to hear. Smooth-talking bastard.”

I let out a bark of laughter at her mild curse word. A knock on the door from the main suite made us freeze. Esme moved ahead as we followed. When the door opened my smile was nearly unstoppable.

Speak of the devil and a demon may appear.

I realize that is not the saying but, I’m the Queen. Sue me.

“Palo,” Marabella’s face was blank but her large dark owl eyes held hurt.

Palo’s obsidian gaze flashed over her outfit as he swallowed and his fists clenched. “Can I talk to you?”

I thought she’d go. She was always so focused on making others happy that I figured she would let him say his piece. Then the bitch went and surprised me.

Her back straightened as she crossed her arms. “No.”

Actual surprise filtered across his face as Esme and I backed up towards the couches but stayed within hearing distance. This was some quality shit right here.

Like you wouldn’t eavesdrop? Liar.

“What do you mean, ‘no?’” The demon growled as his power filtered over the two of them. Marabella was an owl shifter and while not extremely powerful, dusted the energy away and leveled a glowering stare right back at him.

Bad bitch in the making right there!

“I mean no.” She stated, with a low sound.

“We’ve been through this. You don’t get to act differently now that someone else likes me.

I said we could be friends and then you wanted to make it something more, only to hurt me again.

So, I’m not going to sit around and wait for you to ‘decide’ you are ready for a relationship.

I like Robert and if he is sincere about me being his mate I want to see where that goes.

Owl’s don’t work like that as you know but I could feel a connection even if it was small. ”

Oh, Palo did not like that.

“Maker,” he growled and cursed under his breath. Then he fucked himself over.

“What are you wearing?” He demanded.

Oh, the fool.

You see, I did feel bad for him because Palo was very clearly obsessed with Marabella. He was also an intense, blunt asshole. The two didn’t mix well.

“Clothes,” she quipped.

Hm. Someone’s attitude has been rubbing off on her.

“No.” He stepped closer as I watched from the corner of my eye. “You are not going out like that. I won’t let you.”

I think she had finally realized that this had nothing to do with him thinking she looked bad like last time. She sighed and shook her head. “You don’t get to make that decision.”

“I swear to all that is holy, little lamb. If you walk out the door wearing that tonight, I will lock your ass in my room for the night.”

Well, now I saw the family relation between Taylor and him.

“Your threats don’t bother me.” She stated softly.

Anger filled her voice. “You know, you really suck, Palo. You know how much I’ve liked you and after the second time of screwing me over, you have no right to dictate anything anymore.

I’m sorry if you had the impression that I was a given or that I’d always be around.

I’m not your property and I won’t be ordered around like I am.

You chose Trinity over me. You chose work over me.

In fact, you seem to always pick something over me!

One date, Palo. You asked for one date and you didn't even have the courtesy to let me know you wouldn’t show up?

You know how long I sat at that stupid pub? Two hours. Two fucking hours.”

I had no idea what was going on but I’d never seen her this upset. All I could gather thus far was that there was a bitch named Trinity and that Palo had failed to make Marabella a priority? And the asshole stood her up on a date. Who fucking does that?

“Lamb…”

“I am not your lamb!” She snapped as the door slammed shut.

Damn.

Esme began a slow clap as Marabella stalked over to the couch and huffed. Her eyes were excited and heated but she seemed sad. I slung an arm around her and gave her a nudge.

“Cheer up, hun. I’m sure it won’t be that bad. He is all bark and no bite. Besides you stood your ground. If he didn’t understand what you were saying, the man is obtuse.”

It was that bad, for the record.

Around four that afternoon the three of us had been escorted downstairs by Adyen. My poor dragon had a mask of tension and concern that I wanted to kiss away. I’d squeezed his hand and offered him an understanding look. Those eyes turned nearly black and I knew his dragon was fighting for control.

I had been impressed that my brother, the lazy piece of shit who now smiled proudly, pulled off such a fantastic fall festival.

It helped that it was actually the harvest in the Horde so the area surrounding the castle was filled with food stands and many other purchasable options.

A metal mage, based on a picture I’d found, had crafted a Ferris wheel that looked far safer than the earth realm ones.

Soft music played, competing with boisterous bagpipes.

Overall audience laughter from some local comedy shows rang true .