Throne of Secrets (Prince of Sin, #2)

by Kerri Maniscalco

I shut the door behind me and scanned the room. In typical House Gluttony fashion, it was a feast created for any book lover to indulge in.

The library was organized into sections that were easy enough to find, so I made my way to witches, spell work, and potions. My victory was short-lived when I rounded the corner and stumbled upon the prince bent over a book… reading, of all unnatural things.

“You have no idea how tempted I am to cuff you to my bed, Miss Saint Lucent.” And just like that I returned to my senses. “Are you wholly incapable of uttering a sentence that isn’t rakish?” His smile was a quick flash of teeth. “Thinking filthy thoughts again?” “I’m not the one dreaming of tying you to my bedposts.” “Truly a shame. You might have some fun living out your darkest fantasies. I’m sure I’d look rather dashing in your bed.” He sighed when I didn’t take the bait. “I want you where I can see you. It’s either my room or the dungeon. My room would be far more convenient and less drafty.” At that I smiled sweetly. “Will I be sharing a suite with the crimson-eyed creature, or will I have my own accommodations there? Unless of course that’s what injured your back. Then I’d like my own dark, dank cell.” He stilled for a moment, his body tense. In the next moment, he was relaxed again, making me question what I’d seen. “How do you know I’m injured?” “How anyone else didn’t notice is the true mystery. I’ve seen you kiss plenty of people and you never once winced.” “Perhaps I should send you into the dungeon,” he muttered.

His voice turned soft, quiet. “You hated me then, before I even had a chance to win you over. So yes, Adriana, I think we need to discuss that night. Because in my version, I wanted a much different outcome for our story. I wanted to give you my royal mark.” A royal mark was no small thing. Princes rarely gave them to anyone, they were a show of high honor, of rank. They were similar to tattoos but very small and easily hidden. A royal mark allowed the prince to sense the whereabouts of the one he’d marked, but it also allowed the one marked to summon the prince at will.

His gaze narrowed on me. He leaned on his elbows, his face perilously close to mine as he searched my face. “That never happened. Yet I don’t detect a lie.” I had no answer to the question I saw burning through him. His frustration matched mine in equal measure. How could we both have such different memories of that night? Either the prince had been in some wildly delusional stupor, or there might be something worth investigating. Memories didn’t just alter so drastically. My emotions churned like a stormy sea as my mind spun with theories. Magic? Stupidity? Or good old-fashioned intoxication? Could someone be responsible for our animosity? It seemed too far-fetched, but stranger things were known to happen in the Underworld. A lock of my hair fell forward, but before I could tuck it back, the prince reached over and smoothed it away. His hand lingered, angling my face up gently. I should knock his hand away. Lean back. Anything to avoid his touch. We shouldn’t be here together. I should consider my mission to unearth clues about hexed objects a failure and try again tomorrow. Far from his too-charming ways. I’d gone a decade without succumbing to his seduction and I blamed our oath for blurring those lines now, even knowing that was false and it had nothing to do with my emotions.

“I have another confession to make,” he whispered. “During the contest, I convinced myself Vanity was you. Once I realized my mistake, I wanted to apologize. Right there. In front of everyone.” My heart thundered. “You didn’t, though.” Axton tipped my chin up, watching me as he slowly brought his mouth to mine. “Forgive me, Adriana.” His lips hovered a breath away while he waited for my reaction. When I didn’t pull back or demand he unhand me, he closed the distance, taking my mouth in a sweet, chaste kiss. It was filled with yearning, apology… a wordless plea for forgiveness.

“Several years ago I heard from a trusted source that the Hexed Quill can rewrite history,” I said, watching Axton as I spoke. He’d grabbed a bottle of demonberry wine, feigning casual interest. But I noticed the white-knuckled grip he had on his goblet. “But only in small ways.” Envy steepled his fingers. “That’s true as far as I know.”

“For example, let’s say someone attended an event. Like the All-Sinners Ball. Would the Hexed Quill be able to change the outcome of that night?” Axton set his wine down, his casual mask gone. “What does the Hexed Quill have to do with the All-Sinners Ball?” he asked, his tone taking on a slight edge. He certainly was sensitive about that night. Though maybe his voice also sounded like it held the slightest hint of hope. “If the quill can rewrite events, that’s what I’m trying to figure out. However, like all magic, it’s got limits. And it also has a price.” I turned to Envy. “That’s correct, isn’t it?” There was nothing more ominous sounding than dark magic demanding a price. Envy nodded. “All magic has limits or else it would overtake the realms.”

“You think the Hexed Quill was used at the All-Sinners Ball?” Axton asked. “Why?” The intensity in his gaze gave me pause. It was time to tread carefully before he shut the meeting down and whisked us back to House Gluttony. I had a feeling his secret was getting closer to being exposed. And it did tie into the night our world went astray. “From what I’ve observed of our stories not aligning, I think it might have been used. What else impacts memories like that? You believe your version as adamantly as I believe mine. Either we both forgot, or one of us is lying. You didn’t detect deception from me, and unless you’ve figured out how to lie, you cannot tell me something that isn’t true.” Axton’s expression was impossible to read. But I swore there was a flicker of excitement. “If neither one of us is lying,” I pressed, “then how do you account for that discrepancy?” “Elaborate,” Envy demanded. “And don’t spare any detail.” “Very well.” I recounted everything I could about the All-Sinners Ball first, then Axton followed up with his version of the event. When we finished, Envy shared a long look with Camilla. “I didn’t detect lies from either one of you,” Envy admitted, his expression turning dark. I had a feeling a Prince of Sin didn’t appreciate his powers being thwarted. “I wasn’t present at the ball,” Camilla said, “but memories are easily manipulated and one of the signs a hexed object might be at work.”

“If magic like that was used, what might the price be?” I asked.

“Memory magic often creates a… rift… somewhere,” Envy finally said. “It might take years to manifest. But it always catches up.” Axton ran a hand over his face. “Why would someone use the Hexed Quill on me that night? To ruin my relationship, for what purpose?” “You and Adriana never married or courted. Maybe that was the goal. Maybe they were envious, or covetous. Or any other sin—all were present that night,” Envy said. “Or maybe it had nothing to do with you and her and that was an unseen result.” A rift… I wasn’t sure what that entailed, but it sounded like something powerful enough to make the princes all work together. I was almost certain the bridal competition was a farce. “Let’s say this is true,” Axton said. “What does it matter now? It’s done.” “Not quite.” Envy’s attention shifted to me. “Unless the past is restored, the hexed magic will continue to feed off the next-strongest being in your circle to fuel its power.” Axton went preternaturally still. “Wouldn’t the strongest being in our circle be Axton?” I asked. There wasn’t anything more powerful than a Prince of Sin in this realm. Envy shook his head. “Since he’s the subject of the magic’s focus, it draws from the next-most-powerful creature.” I stopped breathing. Oh, glory be to the wicked. I was on the right trail! Ice dragons were the second-most powerful creatures that were in our circle. The rumored attacks, Jackson’s untimely death, the injury to Axton’s back that didn’t heal a few days before… I swall...

“Assuming Miss Saint Lucent’s correct, I imagine we need the quill to rewrite our story,” Axton said. “Any ideas where to find it?” “Not the quill, exactly,” I said. “According to my source’s research, we need to find the journal or paper where the new outcome of the ball was written. Then we’ll need to burn that to release the dark magic. Time won’t be rewound, but our memories will be restored.”

The Hexed Quill was most certainly the cause of the dragon attacks.

“Did you tell her you loved her at the All-Sinners Ball?” he asked, startling me. I thought he was attempting to joke. None of our brothers laughed. To have magic used on us was a serious threat. That I hadn’t detected it made them all consider their own vulnerability. “I have no recollection. Why?” I waited for him to elaborate. Apparently, he felt no need to. “Get to the damned point, Levi. Why does that matter?” Envy scowled at the nickname. “The point is the magic didn’t make you hate her. Which makes me wonder how intact her memories are. From what I gathered from her tonight, she remembers sleeping with you. It’s a wound that’s festered each time you tried to get her attention over the last decade with your abysmal courting antics.” “It’s not as if I set out to hurt her.” I sighed. “If I knew she was mine, I would have acted differently. I’m not a complete fucking monster.”

“You don’t think Adriana wielded the quill, do you?” Envy straightened from where he’d been leaning against the railing, brows raised as he looked at me, then Sloth. “She is a writer.” Sloth was silent for a few moments, his gaze turning inward. That he didn’t immediately call us both idiots set me further on edge. Eventually, he lifted a shoulder. “It’s possible. Maybe you did something that made her want to forget. If she did use the quill, she might not be aware.” “Wouldn’t she know if she had the quill?” Greed asked. “Or the journal or parchment?” “Not necessarily.” Envy’s expression turned dark. “She might have hidden them and forgotten or tossed them out after she’d left the ball. Anything’s possible.” “Maybe someone coerced her into writing it and she had no idea what it was,” Sloth added. “It stands to reason it had nothing to do with you, and maybe it was about someone wanting her. Perhaps she ignored someone’s pursuit who didn’t take kindly to that.”

I’d been arrogant enough to believe I’d been the target and prize. And the magic that bound us… it didn’t like the idea of someone taking Adriana from me.

“I have hungered for you in ways you cannot comprehend. I’ve craved you. More than my sin. You haunt me, Adriana.” I nearly shook from the confession. “My dreams are the only time I get to worship you. Do you have any idea how many careful lies of omission I’ve told over the years? The role I’ve played this last decade. All to hide the truth of how deeply, wholly lost I am to you?”

My sweet enemy was about to surrender to her future; she just didn’t realize it yet. Someone stole her from me once. And, unless she told me otherwise, she would be mine. Tonight. I leaned closer, brushing my lips against the shell of her ear, satisfied by the shiver of pleasure that rocked through her at the small contact. Her slight gasp would be the first of many. Beginning now. “I want to give you my royal mark.

The prince came around to my side of the little table, offering his hand to me, palm up. I took a steadying breath as I rose, taking his hand. His other arm snaked around my waist, slowly reeling me in. I inhaled sharply. I wanted his mark, wanted the confirmation that he felt the same way I did, but it was all happening so quickly. It felt a little like a fever dream. Though I supposed it really all began ten years ago. Our happily-ever-after had been stolen and we were now about to reclaim it. “Nervous?” He grinned down at me as he placed my hand on his shoulder, then gently brushed my hair back, granting him access to my skin. “Will it hurt?” I asked, gripping him a little tighter. “Not at all.” His smile turned wicked. “It will feel like a kiss. Ready?” “To enter an unbreakable bond with a Prince of Sin and basically sell my soul? Who wouldn’t be?” His chuckle was dark and deep and made my toes curl. “Sweet nemesis. You act as if your soul hasn’t already been mine from the start.”

His touch was so intimate, so caring. If my heart wasn’t already in danger, it would be.

Once my gown was off my shoulder, he leaned in, starting the process with a chaste kiss to my pulse point then continuing lower, his lips gliding softly along my skin. When he finally reached the place he planned to mark me, his tongue traced a small pattern over my flesh. It tingled at first, then his tongue swept over me again, tracing the same design and a heat ignited that seemed to set my whole body aflame. Axton was right: it felt like he’d kissed me and I wanted more. He drew back to admire his work. “Do you like it?” I glanced down, trying to make out the small mark in the dim light. It was so pale against my skin it was hardly noticeable. Just a baby blue shimmering mark that looked like the outline of a dragon. No one would really see it unless they knew to look for it, but I felt the slight buzz of magic beneath my skin, almost purring with pleasure. “It’s beautiful,” I said, glancing up. “I couldn’t agree more.”

“One word and I’ll stop. This is about pleasure, not pain. If at any point you don’t wish to continue, that is completely fine. I will be controlling your pleasure, but you ultimately control me. Understand?” I flashed him a rather saucy smile. “Do you honestly believe I’d bite my tongue?” “That wicked tongue is only one of the many reasons I love you.”

“Gabriel.” “Close,” I whispered, taking her earlobe between my teeth. “My true name is Gabriellis.” She stopped breathing for a beat, then kissed me like I was the only real thing in her world.

If I was ever going to place trust in Adriana, it was time. I’d already given her my true name and my royal mark; there was no reason to keep anything else from her now. She had the power to destroy me in more than one way, should she choose. And after our meeting with Envy, there was no chance Adriana hadn’t already figured out that the dragons were being targeted by the hex.

Adriana peered up at me, her expression hard to decipher. “Is Silvanus a dragon you’ve been hunting?” I inhaled deeply. “Yes.” “And the Hexed Quill has impacted them, enough that they’ve attacked?”

Determination entered her features. “What’s the full plan?” “If we’re caught together, all eyes will be on you, hungry for any morsel you feed them. You’ll simply play up our arrival, give them reason to believe we’re secret lovers.” “Because we are.” “Only for now.” I kissed her softly. “While they’re trying to get the details of our affair, I’ll hunt Silvanus and stop him before he has a chance to round up the rest of the pack or find allies in other packs. Hopefully all will go smoothly, and I’ll return in time for the ball, call off the competition there, and declare myself to you, ending the scandal as soon as I’m able to.” A small smile crossed her face. “Let’s go cause a scandal.” With our blood oath, if I left her here and traveled too far, there would be pain. For both of us. I wasn’t concerned about me, though. “There’s one more aspect to consider.” She pushed at my chest. “The blood oath discomfort? I’m well aware. You’ve been a pain in my ass for a decade. I’ll live.” I wanted to smile but couldn’t. “Are you ready?” I asked instead. She nodded.

An attack was imminent. But would they hit all Seven Circles like last time in a coordinated strike? Or would they surprise us by targeting one House at a time? My gut said they’d be coming for my House first because of the hexed magic.

“If you didn’t have five minutes to spare to write to me yourself, you could have dictated a note and sent a missive.” “You’re right,” he said simply. “I could have and should have done so. I had much on my mind and suitors to send home.” I glanced at the dais where Eden and Vanity lingered. “Apparently, not all the suitors.” His mouth quirked up on one side. “Stay clear of Envy tonight, or he’ll try to tempt you to his House of Sin.” “I am not jealous, you ass. I’m annoyed. You haven’t even apologized.” “Forgive me.” He bowed low over my hand, then brushed a chaste kiss to it. “Save a dance for me before midnight. I promise you won’t be disappointed.”

“The competition to find a perfect match might not have gone according to plan. But I have found love. And it has been one of the most frustrating, thrilling adventures I’ve ever embarked on.” Adriana’s expression was impossible to read. I wished to be next to her, to sense her emotions. “Miss Saint Lucent, will you please step up to the dais?” She slowly shook her head. “No, Your Highness. I’m afraid I cannot.” Sharp gasps erupted from my court. I silenced them with a ferocious look. They might be deterred, but I was not. If Adriana wanted us on equal footing, I would go to her, crawling if I must. “Very well.”

Once I reached Adriana, I slowly dropped to one knee. A hush descended from the double meaning of my action. No one dared to mock her now. Not when their prince kneeled before her. “I choose you, Adriana Saint Lucent. From the first moment I saw you, a decade ago, you have haunted my dreams. It has always been you.” I remained on my knee, ready to remove my heart from my chest and hand it to her if that was her request. Adriana looked… horrified. “I am, and always have been, irrevocably in love with you. Therefore, I cannot pretend to court anyone else. The competition is over. And if I’m being honest, it always has been because there is no one better suited for me than you.” I inhaled deeply. “Adriana Saint Lucent, my sweet nemesis, will you marry me?” The silence that spread throughout the room was all-consuming now. No one seemed to draw breath for fear of missing a single word. Adriana kept staring at me like I’d somehow managed to grow a second or third head. She certainly knew how to keep my ego from overinflating. She slowly took her attention from me and glanced around the room. Reporters moved in like sharks scenting blood in the water. I inwardly cursed. I’d wanted them here to spread the word that I’d very publicly chosen her. That she would be mine for the realms to see if she’d accept my suit. Being near her now, I sensed her emotions clearly. Hurt, distrust.

“Dragons are heading—” The glass doors leading out to the gardens exploded, shards flying through the crowd, slicing through skin and silk indiscriminately. Nobles froze as blood slowly seeped out and stained their finery, staring down as if they couldn’t make sense of what had happened. I lurched to my feet to shield Adriana with my body as the first dragon shoved its head into the opening it just made. A fierce, protective rage descended—so ancient and primal I couldn’t fight it if I tried. I would burn the world down and dance in its ashes if anything happened to her. “Wrath! Get airborne. We take the fight to—” Several ice dragons bashed at the garden doors, spewing their icy-hot flames. Crimson eyes peered into the room, taking in the terrified shouts, which stirred them into a greater frenzy. “Everyone, out!” I shouted, keeping Adriana behind me. “Get to the basement level!”

I would sacrifice my court for her and not regret a wretched moment of the decision. I’d made peace with my moral compass long ago. If I had to choose between her and the realm, it would be her. Always.

We landed with a soft thud and Axton set me down. “You all right?” he asked, scanning me as if dragons weren’t swarming the fortress. “Yes.” I swallowed thickly. “You?” “I’d be better if you agree to marry me.” He gave me a wolfish grin. “But, yes. I’m fine.” The levity was gone the next instant. A dragon thundered past the opening we’d come through.

It was a battle that shouldn’t be happening; the dragons hadn’t done a thing to deserve the madness. They’d been pawns in a game none of us knew someone had played.

A hunter shouted from directly below where I remained hidden within the magical ward. Axton appeared from almost out of thin air, putting himself between the dragon and the hunter. I screamed as the mad creature lunged for his throat, racing to peer over the stone wall. I’d crossed out of the magical barrier and was exposed to the dragon circling above. A moment later I was hauled back, an immovable wall of muscle locking me in place as I thrashed. “Let go! He’s hurt!” “He will heal. You won’t.” Lust wrangled me back into the safety of the ward. “He’ll also kill me if you die. So do the realm a favor and remain here.” He was right, I knew that logically, but my heart… my cursed heart was pounding so hard it felt as if it would break out of my chest.

I paced around the room, feeling like a caged animal. The sounds of battle raged on, driving me to the brink of madness myself. I couldn’t stay here and do nothing. “You’re keeping him from pain,” Lust said, reading my thoughts. “He won’t admit it, but it’s partly why he took so long to heal after the last incident.”

Suddenly there was a shift in the dragons. Like some primal instinct yanked on a magical tether, drawing them up short. My brothers noticed too. The atmosphere itself seemed to inhale deeply and hold its breath. My shoulders ached as my wings furiously pumped. This wouldn’t be good. I launched myself back at Sil, using the moment of his distraction to land a solid blow. The ice dragon’s head whipped from side to side, his nostrils flaring as he scented the air. He dodged my next hit, lurching up into the storm clouds with one brutally efficient pump of his mighty wings. Silvanus was on the hunt, and he was about to go capture his prey. I knew exactly what he’d scented: Adriana.

Silvanus must have finally sensed danger; he wrenched his attention from the house below and stared at me. But it was too late for mercy. He slowly blinked as if coming out of a dream. His eyes shone iridescent, not red. They latched onto my glowing blade, and I swore I saw a flicker of sorrow and acceptance. I was too close and he was too large to dodge the hit. I cursed—there was no way to avoid a blow; I’d been aiming to kill. In seconds it would be over. My dragon would fall at my own hand. The very hand that bottle-fed him, that taught him to flap his wings when his feathers had finally sprouted. Laughing while he’d hopped around like the little sassy fledgling he was. Unless… At the last possible moment, I turned the blade on myself, taking the hit meant to end my dragon. The impact stole my breath, the pain unlike anything I’d ever felt as the dagger pierced my heart. I thought I heard Silvanus cry, but it was drowned out by the roar coming from below.

The ice dragon let out a cry that would raise the dead and dove at me. And everything went dark.

“You seem more relaxed here.” I gave her a sly grin. “I’m relaxed in most situations, darling. But I really enjoy the simplicity of eating a good meal in a casual setting.” “It’s not very gluttonous of you, Prince Gluttony.” “On the contrary. I’m feasting like a king on this fare. I’m indulging in your company, and I couldn’t be more satisfied. My sin isn’t about the most lavish or rich; it’s about indulging in things that give pleasure. The simple things are what bring me the greatest amount of pleasure. Good food, good drink, good conversation. A good companion. Those are the things that mark a good life. So, yes, I’m feeling rather full on my power at the moment.”

Once Shirlee left, I pulled the item I’d been holding on to for the last decade from my suit and laid it on the table before Adriana. “Open it,” I said, nodding to the little velvet pouch. My heart pounded as if I was on an intense hunt. I’d hoped it would be a nice surprise. A way to prove I wanted to be more than the rake I’d been. At least when it came to her. Adriana’s gaze narrowed in suspicion and I did a better job of schooling my features. She gingerly loosened the string and dumped the contents into her palm. The bracelet sparkled in the low light of the tavern. Adriana’s throat moved as she swallowed down her emotions. “You knew this was mine.” It wasn’t a question, so I didn’t treat it as such. I gave a slight nod, allowing her to sort out her feelings on the matter. She searched my face, and I saw a myriad of emotions play across her features. “Why?” I took a long pull of my ale. “Because I love you,” I said simply. I watched hope and disbelief war across her face. I’d said the words before, but it felt different now. This time we had no threat looming, no hex interfering. We were not lost to passion. Or performing for a crowd of courtiers and reporters. Or any other excuse she might dream up in that wildly creative mind of hers. It was just me sitting before her, confessing the truth of my heart. Today I was not her prince, only the male who loved her fiercely. “I’ve adored you from nearly the first moment I saw you. I loved you when I didn’t like you. I loved...

“Marry me, Adriana Marianna Saint Lucent. Fight with me, vex me, love me for the rest of our days. Just as I vow to do to you.” My heart thudded painfully as she slowly shook her head. Just when I thought she’d deny me once more, she gave me a tentative smile. “You truly are abysmal with declarations of love, Axton. But yes. I wish to marry you and irk you for eternity. Because I love you just as foolishly and fiercely.” I leapt across the table and gathered her into my arms, taking her mouth in a kiss that was both punishing and promising of all the wicked delights to come.

Adriana held out a gloved hand. “May I?” The dragon nodded, then sank down, granting her access to his giant head. Adriana lightly stroked his scales, then drew her hand back. “You really are ice-cold.” I can warm my scales should you like to take a ride, milady. I scoffed. “Are you serious? You’ve never offered me a ride and I raised your sorry scaled bottom. And, need I remind you once more, took a dagger to the heart for you.” Perhaps if you minded your tongue, Prince. Though I suppose you ought to make sure your princess doesn’t lose her seat. “Will wonders never cease. The great Silvanus is playing the role of royal horse.” Sil scowled the only way an ice dragon could, by growling and spewing flames at my favorite boots. I flipped him off, then helped Adriana up. I was about to hop up behind her when a frantic bleating drew my attention back. Vex, the little baby dragon, launched himself into my arms. Apparently, he was coming along for the ride. Adriana held her hands out. “Isn’t that the cutest thing? What’s its name?” Sil and I both huffed at her calling the baby the cutest thing. “This is Vex. He’s been vexing me almost as much as you, sweet nemesis.” I gently placed him in her arms, monitoring her shiver. “If you bite my intended,” I warned him, “I will bite you back harder, Vex. Understood?” The little dragon nudged me with its head. Charmer. Is our fine lady secure? Adriana nodded, then nestled into my chest, the little dragon cooing from where he snuggled in h...