Page 35 of Insurrection
My inspection of my nails completed, I grabbed my wine, took a large gulp, and decided to push Celorn’s buttons just a little bit more. For fun. Because why not? I wasn't going to get their house’s vote either way.
Moaning suggestively, a bit louder than before, I infused my voice with a sultry tone as I asked, "Don't you love when the flavor just coats your tongue and leaves a delicious trail in its wake, making you long for more?"
Drayven coughed beside me and whispered, "Subtle, Ama. Real subtle."
It didn’t need to be subtle, though. While I never used it, my Succubus power was so strong it leaked through just enough that it seemed to make the entire group shift, as if they were suddenly realizing my potential. They had absolutely no idea. I might not have liked or identified with one half of my magic identity, but if I ever let loose, I had no doubt I could turn this place into an orgy, feeding off the sexual energy and life forces until I left them like hollowed-out corpses.
But they didn’t need to know that I didn’t like to use that power…yet.
Damien let out a full-on belly laugh from beside me, and his parents couldn't hold back their chuckles this time around, likely enjoying that someone was giving it right back to the arrogant king, who looked like a fish out of water as he gaped at me in shock.
"You should probably close your mouth before someone from the House of Sin decides to put something in there. For some reason, I just don't think you'd enjoy that. You only enjoy the one permanently up your ass," I mused with a sly smirk, getting in a two-for-one jab towards the Houses I disliked.
Celorn’s giant black wings snapped open, and he prepared to launch himself across the table at me, his face having turned a lovely shade of red.
“Ama, stop this! That’s too far,” Drayven seethed beside me. I would have normally assumed that he was embarrassed or some stupid shit… but maybe there was more to his reaction. He’d been acting weird lately, so maybe it was that he was worried I was putting myself in harm's way. It didn’t change that I wouldn’t back down.
Let Celorn come at me. I wasn't afraid of him and would relish the opportunity to show everyone that hybrids weren't weak. This surge of bravery brought with it a sense of freedom, and while I knew I was risking the other houses’ opinions of me, I found I didn’t care nearly as much as I possibly should have. They already thought poorly of me—this wouldn’t change anything. This was who I was.
Standing up, I let my own wings snap out as I stared Celorn down, my amusement fading as anger surged through me. I had absolutely no problem fighting if that was what he wanted. I was just about to summon my scythe when I was interrupted by Adrien popping up in front of me and laying a hand on my cheek, murmuring, "Do you have a death wish?"
Before I could retort that, as the Grim Reaper’s daughter, I was practically death incarnate, I was swept into the comforting embrace of Adrien’s shadows. My vision was obscured as blackness shrouded me, a pair of icy blue eyes the only color I saw. They pierced the darkness, capturing my attention. I felt weightless for a moment and tried to shriek at the sensation, alarmed and unsure of what was happening to me. No sound left my mouth, though.
Damnit, maybe Drayven was right when he’d said my life was on the line here.
From the shadows around me, Adrien’s soothing voice echoed, "Almost there."
Almost where? My grave?
The thought actually stirred an interesting question in my head. Where would I go when I died? I mean, we were already in hell, after all. Would my soul be reincarnated?
I wouldn't mind coming back as a lazy house cat in the human realm. In my few times up there, they had been hands down my favorite little creatures. I had accompanied Dad on one of his nights of reaping souls, and we had popped into the home of an old lady who had passed peacefully in her sleep.
Curled on top of her chest had been a chunky orange cat that had tugged at my heart strings. His golden eyes had turned to stare directly at me as if he could see us, and the sadness in his eyes had destroyed me. Cats were so much more insightful than I had imagined they could be. It was clear this one had known his owner was no longer there. I had pleaded with Dad to let me take him back home with us, as the kitty was clearly going to be alone until someone was alerted to the woman’s passing.
He had said, and I quote, "We cannot take in every animal that is left behind or our castle will be quickly overrun. The second I say yes to one, I'd have to say yes to the rest."
From the depth of pain visible in the cat’s eyes, and from his plump frame, it was clear that he had been loved dearly and had lacked for nothing in life. No responsibilities other than to be loved on and fed. That was the life, right there.
I was getting distracted.Focus, Ama. Focus, so you don’t get yourself killed.
Suddenly, the shadows around me cleared, and I was left wrapped in the arms of the Prince of Shadows, who was staring down intently at me, almost as if he was trying to look into my soul. His raven black hair was straight and hung to his jawline, framing his face and contrasting beautifully with his eyes and skin.
I attempted to formulate a sentence in my mind to ask why he had whisked me away, but what tumbled from my lips was the exact opposite. "Are you aware, and you probably are, that you are ridiculously handsome?"
Smooth. I was so damn smooth.
My eyes widened, and my hand flew over my traitorous mouth. I didn't know how to act or speak anymore, apparently.
It was clear from the curve of his lips into an amused smirk that he found the situation humorous. He chuckled, the deep rumble vibrating through our joint bodies, and my nipples instantly ached from the sensation. I bit my bottom lip harshly to clear my muddled brain and winced. Dropping my hand from my mouth, I squeaked out, "Sorry. I'm weird."
His hand traveled up from my lower back, trailing lightly up to my shoulder before lingering on my jaw in a featherlight touch. His low baritone voice somehow fit his mysterious vibe as he rebutted my apology, "Don't apologize. I find you to be very refreshing in this group of uptight, egotistical royals. It's why I couldn't allow you to be obliterated by the Fallen king before I had a chance to get to know you better."
Feigning mock offense, I lifted my hand to my chest and asked with heavy sarcasm, "Oh, so after you get to know me better, maybe then you'll allow him to obliterate me? And they say chivalry is dead!”
His smirk grew into a brilliant smile that lit up his face as he stepped back from our embrace and looked into the sky, bringing me back to the realization that he had somehow transported us elsewhere.
Leaning against the stone balcony, he glanced back at me and leveled me with a gaze that seemed to strip me naked emotionally—as if he was truly seeingme.
