Throne of Secrets (Prince of Sin, #2)

by Kerri Maniscalco

“Well?” Envy swirled a goblet of wine before sipping it. “Let’s hear what the big revelation is.” If he was trying to unsettle me by being brash and direct, he was in for disappointment. I ate those obnoxious royal traits with a dessert spoon.

“Have either of you heard of the Hexed Quill?” I asked. Tension descended like an unwanted army. It was as if all the air had been sucked from the room with my question. Camilla’s lips twitched; she understood and appreciated my move. I decided I liked her very much. I sensed she and I were cut from similar cloths.

“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.

“You think she figured out the ice dragon connection, too?” Lust asked, leaning against the balcony’s railing. To the casual observer he looked at ease, but the tension in his gaze said otherwise. I dropped onto one of the chairs in the rooftop garden of House Gluttony. “Most certainly.”

Envy watched me over the rim of his cup. “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?”

I opened my mouth to snap that I hadn’t been trying to impress her, then shut it. They began to mock my many denials over the years, suddenly claiming they knew—dark magic or not—that we secretly loved each other, and I tuned them out until Sloth taunted me. “Anyone with a modicum of common sense could see you wanted her.” “Did you just call me an idiot while boasting of your intelligence in that high-handed, bookworm way of yours?”

“Even if my memory comes back, the damage is done.” “How very defeatist of you.” Envy sipped his bourbon, eyes glinting. “With your thirst for adventure, I would have thought you’d fight for her.”

“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.”

“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?”

“Well?” she asked, voice clipped. “What falsehood do you wish to confess to now?” “The truth is, sweet nemesis”—I lowered my mouth to her ear—“I have not fucked a soul since the All-Sinners Ball. But I have made love to you a thousand times in my dreams. And I have never once yearned for anyone else to visit my bed.”

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.” “Arrogant demon.” “Confident prince.”

“When the competition ends, you will move into my chambers.” “Shall I roll over and fetch next?”

“Your mouth is my greatest fascination. Never stop challenging me, darling.”

drew back, brushing the strands of damp hair from her face. “I adore you in obscene ways.” Her smile was soft, almost shy. “Likewise.”

“Gabriel.” “Close,” I whispered, taking her earlobe between my teeth. “My true name is Gabriellis.”

took her hand as we raced for the mouth of the cave. Once there, I swept Adriana up in my arms and took to the sky. Within moments we touched down outside my House. I placed a possessive hand on her lower back, needing to feel her whole and healthy and alive, not simply for the sake of causing whispers, as I walked her up the wide stairs leading into House Gluttony. We’d just stepped into my receiving hall when someone gasped. I glanced up. As far as fate went, I supposed this was the best demon to run into first. Ryleigh Hughes stared, unblinking.

As I studied the dragons, I realized they were flying in loose knots. There was something about the formation, something that didn’t feel right. Felix reported on damage sustained and I half listened as I focused on those two dragons. They weren’t attacking… it was almost as if they were— “It’s a distraction.” My heart pounded furiously. “Does anyone have eyes on Sil?” I glanced at Felix, Val, and the hunters who’d gathered around me. “Is he still in the barrens?”

“If you’re about to counsel me on Adriana, I suggest choosing a different time.” “It’s going to be in all the papers” was all she said. As if I was unaware of our plot. “We can get ahead of the story to minimize damage to your image. Let Adriana take the fall.” “Absolutely not,” I said, annoyed it was even being suggested. “I’ll call off the competition and tell the truth at the ball tonight. Just like I planned with Adriana.” “Sometimes plans change, Your Highness.” Val kept her gaze trained on the sky. “If you reveal the truth—that the competition has been a distraction—the entire realm will turn on you.” I said nothing to that. She was correct. “Now is not the time to lose sinners and weaken your court because you promised Miss Saint Lucent otherwise,” she pressed. “Do what you need to do, Ruthless Rake.”

Val had issued it like a dare. My grip on the railing tightened as I watched the dragons get farther away. A good leader would do whatever they needed to for their court and their people. I was lost in thought when Felix found me. “They’re here.”

Footsteps rounded the corner I’d just turned off of, racing along the marble. I knew it would be Ryleigh before she called out. “Are you going to explain the state of your gown, Adriana?” Something in me bristled at her tone. I wasn’t the only one keeping secrets.

My eyes suddenly burned. “You’ve crossed a line, stepmother.” “Have I? Because I’d argue you crossed a line when you spread your legs again for a male who is clearly uninterested in taking you to wife.” I flinched as if she’d struck a physical blow.

The last will and testament of a noble I’d rarely interacted with since he’d spent most of his time in his country estate and not the castle—the Duke of Oleander. His obituary. And a rather curious letter addressed to a reporter. I read through the findings carefully. The duke had apparently been in possession of the Hexed Quill and had a secret relationship with none other than Miss Ryleigh Hughes. Adriana’s coworker and friend.

One way or another, tonight would see the dragon curse ended, my court’s future secured, and my life restored to what it ought to have been before Ryleigh meddled. Tension radiated through me. We were close to ending this, yet I couldn’t quiet that innate warning system. It was almost too good to be true.

“Why aren’t you out there dancing and making enemies of some husbands or wives?” Lust grunted but didn’t respond. “Any word on the dragons?” My brother wasn’t helping to defuse the growing tension.

But first it was time to do what I should have done all those years ago. I glanced at the clock on the far wall. It was time. “Wish me luck.” Lust swiped a glass of demonberry wine from a passing tray and saluted me. “To an eternity of blissful hate sex.”

Adriana stepped forward, reaching out as if to defend her friend. She seemed conflicted, but the crowd closed in around Ryleigh, cutting her off from getting closer. My brothers were the most debonair-looking guards as they escorted Ryleigh to the dungeons. Eden seemed to stop breathing. But Vanity was highly intrigued by the turn of events.

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.

I pulled Adriana toward the door, pushing a path through the crushing bodies. 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.

Sloth and Greed had arrived in a burst of flame and smoke, immediately flinging themselves into the fray. For a moment, I stood frozen along with the court, watching the battle rage. Five of the seven princes fighting with all their strength was an image crafted of pure terror. I could not imagine fighting a dragon.

I tried to gather myself, looking for Eden’s pale blond hair. A flash of silver caught my attention. “Camilla!” I spotted her at the same time she found me, and we fought to get to each other as the chaos grew unhinged.

“Axton!” I shouted, a plan whirling into place. He narrowly avoided the next strike, spinning to face me as he kept the dragon in his sights. “Take me north to draw them away. Once we’re at Merciless Reach, you can take the fight deeper into their territory.” He flashed me an appreciative look. “Have I mentioned how much I hunger for you?”

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.

“Don’t let them see you.” He took a dagger from his ankle and placed it in my hands. “Strike for their eyes if necessary. The fortress is warded; you’ll be safe if you stay within it.” He stalked away then cursed and rushed back. “I swear to the old gods if you put yourself in danger, I will tie you to my bedposts and make you regret scaring me for hours on end.”

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.

Lust gave me a knowing smirk. “Thinking of hitting him? Don’t worry, we all do.” 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.”

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.

I hovered there, soaking in the moment for as long as I could. Sil blinked at me, at the dagger protruding from my chest. Ichor dripped along the hilt, faster and more frequently. My wings slowed, then stopped. Heroes were gods-damned idiots. But I felt strangely at peace. The ice dragon let out a cry that would raise the dead and dove at me. And everything went dark.

“I’m glad to hear it.” I wanted everything in her life to bring her joy. I truly was turning into a lovesick fool like my siblings. I prayed to the old gods that Lust would be struck down next—that meddling bastard had it coming.

“Got any other requests concerning my cooking, you royal pain in my ass?” she said by way of greeting. Adriana snorted and clapped a hand over her mouth. I stared at her, fighting my own laughter. “That was the most undignified sound I’ve ever heard. Do it again and I’ll fall in love harder.”

“I’ve adored you from nearly the first moment I saw you. I loved you when I didn’t like you. I loved you when you bested me. And when I bested you. I love your smart mouth, your clever mind, your darkest fantasies. Your brightest joy. I love that you never let me win, that any victory I have is fleeting but earned. And I will live out the rest of eternity loving you.”

Adriana was so fixated on her mother’s jewelry that she hadn’t noticed the small velvet box I’d set before her. I cleared my throat. “There is one other matter.” I popped the box open, revealing a wildly extravagant ring. A diamond nestled with a sapphire and aquamarine. Adriana went perfectly still. “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.”

“I’ve never petted a dragon before.” I glanced down at my fiancée, smirking as I guided us behind the stables of House Gluttony to where Silvanus waited. “Untrue. You know that’s what I call my cock.” “Heathen.” Adriana lightly punched my arm, and I tugged her close.

Silvanus emerged from the woods, snuffing the air, and I swore he rolled his eyes. Warmth spread through my chest at seeing my favorite dragon restored. His eyes shone with the familiar iridescent gleam as they flicked to Adriana. I’d had Sascha spell us so we could communicate, and when Sil let loose his thoughts, I rather wished I hadn’t. She’s far too good for you. Adriana laughed, the best sound in the world, and strode over to the dragon. “I adore him! He’s clearly wise.” And handsome. “Let’s not forget I took a dagger for you,” I interjected.

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.

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 her lap. Both Val and Envy would be incredulous when I told them the little deviant dragon didn’t bite Adriana.

“I’ve got her.” Good, try not to let go. “That, dear dragon, is a vow I intend to keep forever.” You’re finally using that upper head; the pack wasn’t sure it worked. Prick.

“Perhaps I’ll bring you to your knees tonight, Your Highness.” I’d never heard a more seductive threat and welcomed my demise. “You can try, but don’t think I’ll make it easy just because you’re to be my wife.” Adriana’s gaze darkened with the challenge, and I knew tonight would be one to remember. “May the best heathen win, darling.”