The Coveted, page 13
The smell of food wafted in from the kitchens, concealed behind tall wooden doors in the back of the room. Sparkling golden chandeliers hung above the tables, which were set with gold-accented fine china and crystal glasses, already filled with elixir and water. The walls showed a serene landscape of rolling hills and gently flowing creeks, with men and women dressed in flowing fabrics running about and laughing. They stilled once they became a part of the periphery.
I was afraid to glance in Daelon’s direction. Especially as Sebastian continued his blatant flirtations.
“Don’t be nervous, Áine,” Sebastian consoled. “The King just likes a good show of admiration. You didn’t know any better, but he can’t play favorites, you see.” He was no doubt picking up on my lack of enthusiasm for the night’s events.
His insinuation that I might’ve been a favorite almost made me spit out my water and laugh. “I’m not nervous. I just don’t like being in the spotlight.” Especially for public humiliation as I bowed to my sworn enemy, the man who killed my mothers and burned my village to the ground.
I nearly flinched when he reached for my hand on the edge of the table and gave it a squeeze. “You’re so modest for someone who’s clearly gifted,” he mused.
Modesty did seem hard to come by in these halls. Before I could respond, a single clap from Lucius brought the crowd of at least a hundred elite to silence.
“Before we begin, I would like to welcome our new visitor to receive a blessing from the King. She committed a minor transgression, and since I am a fair and just king, all will be forgiven once she bows down to me. This act of submission represents her welcome into our beautiful Kingdom and her recognition of my divine power.”
I stole a glance toward Daelon. Yeah, that’s gonna be a nope from me, pal.
I know you’re joking, Daelon said in my mind, entering the channel I opened. Or at least I hope you are. Please do as you’re told. It hurts me just as badly as it does you.
Somehow, I doubt that.
I let out a small sigh, burdened by the weight of a hundred pairs of eyes on me. Some smiled, and others sort of glared, almost as if they were jealous. Of what, I wasn’t quite sure. I rose from my seat, and I hoped dearly that the makeup Taryn had applied could conceal the redness of my embarrassment.
This really, truly, fucking sucked.
Lucius rose and moved to stand at the front of the room, in full view of every table. His eyes were glowing with anticipation, reveling in every moment. It made me want to turn violent, consequences be damned. As I began my slow walk toward Lucius, my power rose and crested, agreeing with my desire to break every window in the room, to flip the tables and send everyone flying in all directions, to pounce on Lucius and conjure another dagger to pierce through his cold, dead heart.
I heard Daelon clear his throat, the sound as if from far away, which snapped me out of the dangerous fantasy. As I reached the King, I unclenched my fists and forced a tight smile that only he could see. I felt every gaze bore into my back.
“Kneel, child, to accept my forgiveness,” he said, smiling right back. He cocked his head slightly.
Child? You’re not even a decade older than me, but okay, asshole, I thought to myself.
I forced my knees to the ground and bowed my head, keeping my eyes on his shoes. Yeah, this was the worst. I flinched when I felt a cold hand on my shoulder, but I quickly stilled and recovered. “Forgive me, my King,” I said quietly, refusing to look up at him.
“You are forgiven. For I am a benevolent and reasonable ruler. You will learn our customs soon enough, our lost little orphan,” he said, false pity oozing from his tone. “You may rise. And dinner shall commence.”
Soft clapping rose and then fell as I straightened and returned to my seat. My legs were like lead, and my skin flushed with anger. A plate full of fancy-looking and artfully arranged vegetables, potatoes, bread, and some kind of meat delicacy was served, but I had lost my appetite.
You look a lot prettier when you’re on your knees, Lucius spoke telepathically, which did nothing for my churning stomach.
Gross, I fired back, and he laughed in my mind.
You will continue to submit until you have been freed by your King like the rest of his subjects. The power and pleasure that awaits you when you do is like nothing you could ever feel from your weak, heretic magick.
I would rather be weak than cruel. I wanted to say about fifty other things that would no doubt lead to a swift death, but I held them back. I would save them until a knife was at his throat once more. I couldn’t wait for that day to come.
I do enjoy the struggle of a good challenge, though, dear Áine. I think Daelon preferred to fight you for your submission too. It makes it all the more… thrilling. Rest assured you will be conquered just like everything else in my world.
I shut him out, chasing a limp spear of asparagus around my plate as my blood boiled. More visions of killing Lucius and destroying his precious castle flitted through my mind.
“Áine?”
I looked up to see my half of the table looking at me. Taryn’s eyes were narrowed as she waved a hand in front of her body to bring me out of my daze.
“There you are,” she laughed. “I asked if you were down for a decent party after dinner?”
God, no. I just wanted to be able to retreat and lick my wounds in peace. “Maybe. I’m a bit tired.”
“I think there’s going to be a post-party party too,” Sebastian said, exchanging a glance I didn’t understand with Taryn and Christine.
They all smirked, but Serena rolled her eyes. Abraham chuckled, his hand in hers. He wore red again, which complemented his warm, dark brown skin. They were definitely a cute couple. I could even see the way their auras melded together in soft pastels of devotion and deeper reds of intensity, as if fused by the strength of their relationship. Renata appeared to be somewhere else, paying us no attention as she twirled her dark brunette hair around her finger. I was annoyed yet again by her beauty, especially at the delicacy of her shoulders and collarbones in her deep, blue dress.
“I don’t think Áine is that far along in her acclimation,” Taryn chuckled, plopping a tiny potato in her mouth.
Sebastian’s hand found mine for a moment. “Oh, please. Just because she lived with humans her whole life doesn’t mean she is one. She’s a witch, a powerful one at that. And an artist, for the King’s sake! Did she tell you she discovered a gift?”
Taryn shook her head. “You discovered a gift… today?” she asked, scrutinizing me curiously.
I was still hung up on whatever witchy party she didn’t think I could handle. It was probably a witch orgy. Yeah, that checked out. “I guess so.” I shrugged.
“How strange. But you came into your power late too, so maybe you’re just a late bloomer,” Serena offered. Her blond hair was pulled up in a high bun, with a couple curls framing her sharp jaw. She was wearing a conservative black gown, with a lace trim that covered all the way up to her collarbones.
I nodded. Uh huh. Let’s go with that. I couldn’t very well say that I could probably tap into any gift I desired, since I had access to all the natural forces of the Universe. The only thing that was truly mine was energy reading, but that I had to keep to myself. The rest sort of felt like borrowing, like I was a card-carrying member of a vast magickal library of resources. That made it all the more necessary I kept my mouth shut and placated Lucius. If his perversions were killing off original magick, then maybe I was one of the last things that stood in his way from enacting the witch apocalypse.
No big deal, as usual.
I had to make a laundry list of excuses in quick succession to steal some time away for myself. While the others moved to the throne room for the night’s entertainment, I snuck away to the gardens. I needed a break. Especially from seeing Daelon all cozied up and laughing with my enemy—the man who just whispered some real creepy shit into my mind about conquering me.
When I teleported to the cherry blossom tree, I nearly gave a nearby servant a heart attack. I mumbled a sheepish apology. Her eyes lingered on me for a moment longer than comfortable as she passed by, giving me a look that read sort of like, I mind my own business.
I wondered what decided a servant’s station in this hierarchical society Lucius had constructed. Were they all descended from witches of the old ways? Or were they just weak in power? It was hard to say, but like a lot of things in the castle, their reality seemed ignored and forgotten.
I moved on autopilot, the fresh air renewing my spirits. I felt pulled to the blooming pink tree, where I found myself gazing up at its snaking branches, as if I was waiting for it to spill secrets. It made me feel sort of like a crazy person, but I was used to that at this point. I reached out toward its trunk, and its energy met mine, like an invisible, static force. It was warm, wise, and old, like that of a crone. I gasped when something more passed into my fingers, as if we were energy sharing.
“Don’t let Lucius see you doing that.”
The connection broke, and the tree pulled its energy back. I turned to face Daelon, and I had to stop myself from running right into his arms. “Why is that?”
He cocked his head, looking from me to the tree. “That was the Queen’s tree. She raised it from a sapling, and she sat here on this bench every single day to look at it.” He shook his head, as if rebooting his brain. “Are you all right?”
“As usual, I find myself unsure how to answer that question,” I laughed, but in Daelon’s presence, my defenses soon crumbled.
He sighed. “You’re shaking. I can’t—I can’t touch you here. Someone could see.” His jaw was tight, and his eyes strained. The feet between us felt like miles. “Lucius wanted me to brief you on your new duties. He wants you to start reading everyone’s energy when they interact with him or talk about him. He wants to know exactly who to watch out for. Then he’s trusting me to ensure that you’re telling the truth. He wants names, soon.”
“What if there are no names to give?” I asked, staring down at my nude heels.
“Then you make them up, Áine. If you are of no use to him, then you’re as good as dead, especially after the debacle with the servant girl. It will buy us time.”
I crossed my arms in response to his fierce tone. I sure as hell wasn’t going to be sending innocent people to their deaths, even if they were insufferable, vapid witch socialites. I shook my head. “He thinks he can convince me to join him. Or at least force me into it. I’m afraid that if something happened to me, we would have nothing. Which I know sounds just as narcissistic as Lucius…”
“But it’s probably true,” Daelon finished. “I won’t let either of those things happen. My mom instilled in me a roadmap to keep you safe. It’s my life’s purpose. It will be fulfilled, no matter what I have to do.” He reached out for a moment, then dropped his hand back to his side.
“This blows,” I said.
“The understatement of the century.”
“When can we see Amos again to discuss the Akashic Records?”
“After I get back. Lucius is sending me on a brief mission this week, to ensure things are running smoothly in a distant city. In the meantime, you’ll need to keep your head down and immerse yourself in court affairs. You need to let Lucius think he’s winning at something, and that the incident with the servant was just a one off. I won’t be here to protect you.” Fear swam in his dark brown eyes, and his usual stern demeanor shifted into something more vulnerable. I thought of his parents’ deaths—how he was sent away, unable to help or save them—and I knew that there was nothing my fierce protector hated more than to be out of control.
“I’ll be safe,” I promised. “What kind of mission? What will you do?” This must’ve been part of the things he did to survive.
He shook his head, his eyes suddenly guarded and vacant. “I don’t know. My mind goes blank, like it isn’t even me,” he said, staring off into nothingness.
I cocked my head. “I don’t un—”
Suddenly he snapped back into himself, his eyes gazing up and down the length of my body. “You’ve never looked more beautiful, Áine. You don’t know how happy it makes me to see you wearing my gifts.”
I knew it. Of course, he wanted to dictate what I wore. Not that I was complaining… at least he had taste. “Did you do that for Renata?” I asked, before I could stop myself. But I didn’t let his quick deflection from his secret mission go unnoticed.
His eyes widened in surprise for a moment, which caused a lump to form in my throat. He glanced around the garden and then reached for my hand. “Jump. Your room.”
I obeyed, and soon we were back inside stuffy walls. It looked like a maid had been here, as my bed was made, and my clothes all tucked away. Everything looked pristine and untouched.
Daelon stepped to me—so close that his woodsy, fresh scent tickled my nose. He grabbed my chin and tilted it to meet his fiery gaze. His other hand brushed my hair behind my ears, sending shivers along the length of my spine. “Funny you should ask about Renata, because I was just thinking about how many times Sebastian touched your hand at dinner. You could imagine my surprise when I learned that he was also taking you to the ball this weekend.”
I stared into the churning intensity of his golden-flecked brown irises, unable to stop my shallow breathing. “I couldn’t very well help any of that, could I? Everyone already thinks I’m prudish… and more human than witch,” I muttered.
He snorted. “Prudish?”
“What are you implying?” I narrowed my gaze and gaped in faux outrage.
He chuckled, but the humor didn’t reach his eyes, which were filled with a possessiveness and hunger that curled my toes. “Do you find him attractive?” he asked, spinning me around. His hand found the zipper of my dress.
“Do you find her attractive? With her tiny waist and sad little gray eyes… and… collarbones.”
Now he really laughed. “You’re adorable,” he cooed, which made me sort of want to kick him in the shins. “And you’re mine,” he whispered next to my ear. He slowly unzipped my dress, letting it fall to the floor in a pile. I went still as his fingers trailed down the length of my arms, as his lips met the base of my neck.
“I know that. You know I would never let it get that far—”
He suddenly scooped me into his arms, and in a matter of seconds we were on the bed, his thumb brushing over my lips. “Correct. You will not,” he growled.
“Some of the ladies think you’re strange,” I blurted. “And apparently I can, uh, paint.”
Daelon’s features lit up with amusement. “Anything else, little witch?”
“I haven’t told you about all that happened today, and you’re leaving apparently, so I just wanted to fill you in.” He touched his lips to each side of my smile. His hips pressed into mine. Okay, maybe he was right—talking was overrated.
“I don’t care about any of those people. I just care about you. And Taryn, occasionally,” he said, but I knew that Taryn and Daelon cared for each other immensely, even if they didn’t say so.
“Why am I the only one nearly naked?” I pouted, my hands grasping at his regal, black uniform.
“Because I cannot stay long, and I desired it so,” he said, and his words became all that mattered once more.
I frowned at the thought of him leaving me here, but soon his lips were on mine. He grabbed a hold of my wrists and pinned them above my head. His other hand traveled lower, finding its way between my thighs.
I gasped as he started moving his fingers in taunting circles, and I lifted my hips to meet him. His lips moved against mine hungrily, and I moaned into his mouth as pleasure had soon overridden my every thought. He knew just how to move, just what to say and how to say it, and just how much to give and take to make me putty in his hands.
He pulled away, the look in his eyes commanding and dark. “Whose body is this?” he asked, and I could hardly answer him. His hand moved expertly, picking up the pace and driving me closer to release. “Answer me,” he growled.
“Yours,” I breathed, my voice raspy and unfamiliar. He went in for my neck, kissing my skin softly before nipping at it with his teeth. The soft sting of pain, paired with the way his controlled, deep voice spoke to the most vulnerable parts of me, nearly sent me over the edge. I squirmed underneath his hold on my wrists, my legs beginning to shake. “Can I—”
Before I could even finish the sentence, he pulled his hand away. “No. You may not.”
“Daelon,” I begged. My eyes widened with shock, searching his for answers. My breathing was ragged and shallow.
He chuckled softly, stroking my cheek. Amusement flickered across his features, but underneath lay something dark. “You may not touch yourself until I return. Nor should anyone else, for that matter.” He frowned for a moment.
“You cannot be serious.” I’d never felt so out of control, so deprived… my every nerve ending was alive and sensitive in the most uncomfortable of ways.
“Oh, I’m very serious,” he hissed, glaring.
I shook my head “Well, yes, obviously no one else. I mean… leaving me like this.” It felt like I would’ve done anything, literally anything, to make him touch me again. When he released my wrists, I had to stop myself from reaching for him.
“It’s frustrating, isn’t it? How do you think I felt learning you’d agreed to be Sebastian’s date? And I heard it from someone other than you. How do you think I felt watching him reach for your hand and flirt with you all dinner long? I have to watch it all, and I can’t do anything. I can’t even speak to you without Nathaniel seeing it as evidence for treason.” His face hardened, all humor drained from his eyes.
