More on this book
Community
Kindle Notes & Highlights
Read between
October 18 - November 3, 2024
It never ceased to amaze her that even the most level-headed man could become so simpleminded with the promise of sin.
Envy closed his eyes, wondering whether the game was truly worth this cost. If his brothers could see him now. Being assaulted by women’s footwear.
Just then Vexley’s voice bellowed out from above, drawing their attention to the open window and the shadowy figure stumbling past it. With luck the idiot would fall out.
“I am nothing like him, Miss Antonius.” Something dangerous flared in his gaze. Did he just read my mind? “Of course not. Control your expressions. They betray your thoughts as clearly as speech.”
From the moment Synton strode into her gallery she’d felt drawn to him, a bit of that bright-eyed girl returning, longing to be wanted madly. More fool her, she supposed.
“You will do no such thing,” Camilla said. “Aside from the promise of a vicious assault on his groin, I also threatened to bite him if he stood in my way.” Lust made a strangled sound. “I see.” Envy schooled his features into bland interest, giving away none of the amusement he felt at the thought of Camilla unknowingly sinking her teeth into a vampire.
Camilla often wondered if paint ran through her veins instead of blood. When she created, it was as if she made new realms, fantastical and beautiful and exactly where she wished she could escape to. With her art, somehow she was connected to the universe far beyond her small gallery. She could live a thousand and one lives, each more magical than the last.
But he’d protected her. Held her when she started to fall apart.
“WHAT IS THAT excessive ball of dander?” Camilla glanced up from where she sat perched on her bed, following Synton’s gaze to the mammoth long-haired gray-and-white cat that stood between her and her pretend betrothed. Bunny’s initial purrs gave way to a grave look of disapproval.
Trepidation inched its way down her spine, making the fine hair along her arms stand on end. She already sensed the wrongness of what she was about to do, felt the first gusts of dark magic blowing in around the edges of the room, like spilled ink bleeding its way across a fresh page. If her father’s stories could be trusted, the Hexed Throne—from wherever it slumbered—was cracking an ancient eye.
“Are you completely mad?” “Not yet.”
If she were to paint him now, here, she’d have the whole realm bending to his mighty will. Would show the earth folding in at his feet, kneeling too. She snorted. He’d love the idea of being worshipped by the very earth he stood upon. He shot a look over his shoulder. “Nothing,” she said, answering the unspoken question in his eyes. “Just amusing myself.” “I can see that.” His mouth curled up at the edges, the first flicker of playfulness she’d seen on his face since he’d brashly brought them here.
“Touch her”—his voice was laced with malice, even as it faded to a mere whisper—“and I’ll annihilate you all.”
“Spoken like a demon in love.” He turned then, his muscular frame taking up the entire doorway. “Pride wagered invitations will be sent out by year’s end,” Wrath said. “After today, I’m calling three months.”
Wrath’s dagger flashed, striking into an invisible foe. An Umbra demon formed, slumped and dying at the demon of war’s feet. “Keep your spies away from Emilia.”
Far better to play the game and live than choose defiance and end up dead.
Camilla stalked over and slapped Envy’s face. She knew it wouldn’t harm him, so it was more a show of temper than anything else. He raised his brows. “To what do I owe that honor?”
“The poison will act only to slow you, dull your senses and power. Much like his venom does. Once it takes effect, he’ll remove your head and limbs and burn the pieces on a pyre.” Envy rolled his eyes. “Pyres are so dull. Leave it to your prince to be so uninspired. Though I suppose he is still stuck in the Middle Ages.”
Envy was fighting the equivalent of eight hundred mortal men and a vampire with immortal strength of his own. The demon prince turned, saw the raging beasts descending, lifted his dagger, and smiled.
He raised his blade to the vampire, his teeth bared. This needed to end. Quickly. But he’d still make a good show of it. “Come play.”
The wounds in his back bled freely, the drops turning to gold as they hit the ground. The creatures scented it, their gazes turning fully black. Envy was damned, but his blood was still divine; one taste was worth dying for. Or so he’d been told. “I know I’m pretty. But are you going to stand there mentally undressing me all night?”
“I like her, dear brother.” Emilia laughed, breaking the tension. “You must be Miss Camilla Antonius. I’m so happy to meet you. It’s about time someone gave Envy a bit of hell.”
“You are twisted, pet.” “What can I say?” Amusement laced her tone. “You bring out the very best in me.”
Emilia clasped Envy’s hands in hers, squeezing gently. “Don’t be an ass to your lady. Or there will be no more cannoli in your future.”
Change was terrifying. The unknown always was. It was the very essence of its being unknown that made it so. The familiar was comforting even when it wasn’t necessarily good.
Lust groaned. “I’ll see where he’s hiding. If he doesn’t start acting like a gods-damned demon, we’re all going to get bad reputations.” He jabbed a finger into Wrath’s chest. “You need to lay down a law or something.” Wrath’s gold eyes glittered. “First rule? Don’t touch me again.” “Don’t kill each other in this room,” Envy said. “I just had the floors waxed.”
“Not a chance.” Envy snorted. “Pride will choose Lucia. It’s always been Lucia.”
