Page 1 of House of Ruin
PROLOGUE
The Venefica Academy
1952, 32 of May
The night of the Beltane Ball
Her dress was exquisite tonight. Just like everything else about her.
Galliermo adjusted the lapels of his black suit jacket, sweat trailing down his back. He had to ground his teeth very hard to not give away how anxious he was.
Demitria smiled as she approached him, and Galliermo didn’t think he deserved that smile. Certainly not from the woman who stood in front of him looking like the most beautiful creature in all three realms.
“You cleaned up nicely,” she said in a low voice so the crowd gathered in the ballroom wouldn’t hear.
She slid a hand over the front of his suit, and when her eyes came up to meet his again, they were filled with mischief and desire.
“So have you,” Galliermo said in a level voice, even managing to flash—what he hoped was—a naughty smirk as he let his eyes devour her.
Demitria’s cheeks flushed at his intense gaze. Her delicate pale skin had always betrayed her anger, shame, and desire.
But Galliermo didn’t see it as a weakness. No, for him it was the most pleasurable sight, seeing Demitria rendered soft and sacred by her flushed cheeks.
His hand was pressed on her cheek before he knew it, and Demitria leaned into his touch, letting him caress her skin, even if neither of them liked public affection.
“Oh, get a room you two.” Reverie scoffed as she approached them, dragging her sister, Lyra, right behind her. “PDA makes me gag.”
Galliermo pulled Demitria into his embrace, letting his palm rest just above her hip.
“I think you’re mistaking the terms,” Demitria drawled. “I think you wanted to saydeep throatingmakes you gag, not—”
Reverie held up a palm to shut Demitria up, her face twisted in disgust, and Lyra laughed at her sister’s expense.
“As if,” Reverie retorted, letting her cold gaze scan the crowd. “Where are the others?”
Galliermo jerked his chin behind his shoulder, to where Alatar leaned against the wall, his fingers trailing a path down Octavia’s arm.
Right then, Rufus appeared in the doorway to the ballroom, and when his eyes landed on Alatar and Octavia, his jaw clenched, a muscle ticking.
“Oh, that damned fool,” Lyra said, lifting a hand to cover the grin blooming on her lips.
Rufus shoved Alatar away, backing him into the wall, and threw a punch in his gut, sending him forward.
Octavia merely scoffed, threw a few curses at Rufus, and strolled away, leaving both men brawling behind her.
“Rufus just doesn’t know when to stop,” Octavia said, rolling her eyes as she approached Reverie. She then thew a glance at Galliermo before turning to Demitria. “You’re so lucky you’ve got a gentleman and not one of those beasts.”
Demitria’s gaze lingered on Rufus and Alatar wrestling for a long moment; a weird expression Galliermo couldn’t quite decipher settled on her features. But then Demitria blinked, her face falling still, and when she turned her attention back to their little group, Galliermo was sure he’d imagined the weird look just moments ago.
Her hand travelled from his neck down his chest before stopping just below his ribs. “Yes, ladies,” Demitria said with a smile. “I have the bachelor of the year by my side.”
Galliermo pulled the love of his life closer, allowing himself to enjoy the solid warmth of her body against his.
A moment later, Rufus and Alatar joined their circle, snickering with each other.
“Look at your suit,” Octavia scolded, coming over to fix Rufus’s ruffled red tie. “We are the Snakes, and you looking like you’ve been hit by a carriage doesn’t add much to the prestige of our House.”
Rufus flashed Octavia a dazzling smile before pulling her closer by her waist and ducking for a kiss. Octavia slapped his chest, trying to start a fight, but soon their lips were sliding together from one kiss to the next one.
