Page 2 of House of Ruin
“Disgusting,” Reverie said, her nose wrinkled in distaste as she turned away.
Venefica’s ballroom was full of students, members of the twelve Houses gathering in private circles, eyeing rival Houses with intent.
It was hilarious to Galliermo, how snobbish and arrogant each of the Houses were despite their lack of power.
When Eliot Gondalez’s eyes met his, Galliermo smirked, willing as much malice and venom into his glance as possible.
Gondalez immediately averted his eyes, his face flushing red as he scurried away from their circle, disappearing behind the bar in the middle of the ballroom.
Alatar barked a laugh, never missing a single exchange between Galliermo and other students. He clasped a heavy hand over Galliermo’s shoulder and offered his best friend a smile.
“You really did a number on that fucker,” Alatar said, his eyes flickering. “I’m surprised he even has the balls to look at you anymore.”
“Don’t pretend it wasn’t your fault as well,” Galliermo shot back. “He avoids you like the plague.”
Alatar didn’t argue, his smile growing. He was aware of his own wickedness; Galliermo didn’t need to remind him of it. But Alatar was vain enough to require a reminder from time to time. And Galliermo was always ready to indulge his best friend.
“Oh, I love this song,” Demitria gushed when the new song came on, slow and sensual notes tickling their ears. “Are you going to ask me to dance, Galliermo?”
“Yeah, Leveau,” Lyra chimed in, smirking. “You haven’t danced with your queen tonight. Not a very appropriate behavior for a king.”
Galliermo opened his mouth to argue, but Alatar was faster.
“Listen, we all know Galliermo is a man of many talents, but dancing is not one of them,” he said. “There are so many people waiting for a Snake to make a wrong move tonight. How about we don’t let him make a fool of himself, huh?”
“You’re going to need to learn to dance, dear, if you want me to marry you,” Demitria said seriously, but her eyes were dancing with amusement.
Galliermo’s gaze dropped to her hand resting on her chest and the fake diamond ring wrapped around her ring finger, and he couldn’t help the smile that spread over his face.
“I promise I will,” he assured her.
And he wasn’t lying.
He’d already booked dancing lessons. Galliermo wanted to be the one leading them on the dance floor at their wedding, however small it would be.
“But until then, let me assist you, miss Demitria,” Alatar chimed in, offering his hand.
Demitria arched a brow at Galliermo as if she was asking for permission. He took her palm from his chest, placing it in Alatar’s hand and watched as they walked over to the dance floor.
Alatar’s body molded around Demitria, one of his hands resting over her hip, while the other held her hand just above their shoulders.
Galliermo couldn’t look away, his body vibrating with the desire to be the one swinging around the floor with her. But he could only watch for now.
Alatar smiled at Demitria as they swung around, and something in the way his face lit up, the way his eyes hooded as he glanced down at Demitria made Galliermo’s heart sunk.
One moment there was nothing there, just a friendship between two people, members of the same House. And the next, there was history.
Galliermo frowned, his chest suddenly hollow, a dark hole tearing through him.
Somehow, he had missed the moment when his best friend started looking at his fiancée the same way Galliermo looked at her.
The worst part was that she seemingly looked at Alatar exactly the same way, her cheeks painted in the most beautiful pink.
I. BLADES OF POISON
1
“So we know someone from other Houses is out to kill us.”
