The Prince of Prohibition (Fae of the Roaring Age, #1)

by Marilyn Marks

“The flowers, the earth, the darkness, the woods. They’re all yours if you want them. One day, you may even command me.”

I nodded, giving Lillian free reign. This delighted her so much it made my head spin, but in a strange way, her exuberance melted some of the ice around my heart. Besides the little Baker boys, I couldn’t recall a time someone outside my family showed so much joy around me. I’d never had a friend before.

A feeling so deep and primitive it couldn’t be of this mortal plane. I’d felt it before, but only ever in my dreams.

No matter what anyone offers you, no matter how simple it seems, do not drink or eat anything in this hotel. Am I understood?”

The Devil sat on the top floor of The Glamour Hotel.

“I know where you are now, annwyl. Anything you want, anything at all, all you need to do is ask for it.”

I shook my head. “Are you the Devil?” He leaned in. Close, so close oak and rain and gunmetal washed over me, slathered across my lips. “For you, I’ll be so much fucking worse.”

“You didn’t,” he whispered. “But that does not change fate, annwyl. So, here I am—” He lifted his cane, snagging a monstrous fang against my shoulder strap, tugging it until it slipped down my shoulder “—and here you are.”

“Are we connected somehow?” Out loud, it sounded so ridiculous I almost wished I could take it back. Even with the dreams, the feeling in my chest, the strange thoughts and feelings whenever he was near, it had to be something else. A connection between us was completely implausible, something that shouldn’t be possible. Any notion of my brain creating false realities faded as he whispered, “Yes.” My voice cracked. “Did my father know?” It took so long for his answer to come, I feared he would leave me in the dark. “Yes.”

“We call it a parallel bond. For all intents and purposes, it means we are soulmates.”

For some, it’s why they venture to the human world in the first place, to see if they can find their other half. It only happens between a glamour-touched human and a fae, you see.”

“House Valdivia held the mountain territories in Ildathach, but in the human world he’s sort of our informal king.”

I only wanted the chance to know you.”

“And Addie?” My eyes flicked to his. Half his body already melted into the darkness of the hall. “My favorite nights have been spent listening to you talk about your family, or your flowers, what music you danced to that week or how awful your neighbors could be. When I told you I missed you each month, that wasn’t a deception.”

“Since you live in this world now, have you ever considered abolishing your monarchy?” He picked at his nails. “Democracy is for pussies.”

“One thing you’ll learn, annwyl, is anything is possible if you’re enough of a stubborn bastard.”

I was myself when I danced. I could speak and be heard in the silence of my feet moving beneath me. I’d long outgrown my pointe slippers, but I danced like I used to anyway. My toes bent at an unnatural angle, my arms floating like feathers in the air. I stretched my neglected muscles in ways they no longer recognized, reveling in the tearing and aching and bruising of my body because at least it amounted to something. Lately, I’d been feeling it for no good reason at all.

“A princess to the Prince of Prohibition.”

She threw her cigarette to the ground. “Good girls are boring. I’d rather be a whore.”

“I don’t hate you, I think you’re pathetic,” she snapped. “I think you're weak. I think you listened to whatever your darling papa and sweet brother told you even though they both ruined your life. I think you’re a smart girl playing stupid because you’d rather bark like a dog when thrown a bone than make a decision for yourself. And if you’re going to act like that you’ll get us all killed, so do the bare goddamn minimum for once in your pathetic fucking life.”

“Adeline, my least favorite person, come here.” I slid my chair closer to Violet with a horrible screeching noise. The bartender scowled across the room. “I have to tell you, darling, you are entirely less insufferable today.” I put a hand to my heart. “Violet, that may be the kindest thing you’ve ever said to me.”

“You always used to comfort me at night.” It wasn’t a statement, but a question. Not everyone would understand that, but Jack was something more. We were bonded. He knew me. I didn’t have to spell it out for him or dance to be heard. His arm came around me, lips brushing my hair, breaths slowing as we fell back asleep.

“Perhaps I should have prefaced this better,” he said. “I’ve been thinking a lot about what you said. After the speakeasy the other day.”

“That’s the second part. Believe it or not, I like you very much, Miss Colton.” He smiled. “So before we are eternally bound by fate and magic for our immortal lives, I would like to . . . date you.” His snake eyes flashed, smoothed back by glamour in a blink. His facade had cracked. He was genuinely nervous.

It wasn’t a choice, not really, but he was giving me something. He was putting in effort where none was needed. He didn’t have to date me. We already had something much stronger.

I wanted to enjoy tonight for myself. It was something I’d never truly done. Outside of my obligations to my family, farm life was hard. I’d worked my entire life, whether it was to keep the farm afloat or to appease my family’s demands. I never dreamed of dancing at a speakeasy, or wearing a short dress and rolled stockings, because I was taught it was unseemly. But none of those people were here. I was, the band was, and Jack Warren was.

Jack told me I would have to save myself. He was not a hero, no knight in shining armour, but I was no damsel in distress and that was okay. Because he was mine. He was mine and our bond was ours and I told him I could do this, so I would. I would climb. I would rise. I would believe in myself for once in my fucking life. I would not die here.

“I’m glad it was you,” I whispered. He nodded. “If you want, it can always be.”

“We have all made choices that led us here, including you. But every choice we make has a consequence. Nothing in this world comes free, and what we are trying to do, the kind of power we are reaching for, is expensive, Adeline. It does not come fucking cheap.” She glanced at me. “So before we finish the last of our tasks, I want you to ask yourself, truly fucking ask yourself, if this is a price you are willing to pay.”

“Only the most precious of souls would accept a curse for their brothers and sisters. You have truly made me proud, daughter, and I will always offer you my blessings.”

This sadness . . .” She pressed a chubby palm to my heart. “Perhaps it will always fill you, but I ask you to remember all the light whenever it becomes consuming. The joy you felt when Thomas came home to you. The memories of your father, whose soul has sung me such beautiful music since joining us in the dark. All the friendships you have built with my nieces and nephews of glamour and blood. Most of all, Jaevidan.” She beamed. “He loves you, daughter. He loves you so much. It is one of the most pure and endless things I have ever felt.”

Her tiny lips whispered against my ear. “He will do anything for you.” I nodded. “I know.” “It is a wonderful and terrible responsibility.” She pushed away enough to look in my eyes, face set. “You will hear many things, Adeline, awful things, and you will question all you know. But you must always trust in Jaevidan. Find answers in his memories. This is the only way to remain in the light.”

Pieces left us, and something new grew in its place.

“It is not our good deeds that make us just, but our hard choices. Everyone is perfect when there are no difficult decisions to make, when they are on the outside looking in. But hardship defines our true nature. And I will be here for you, always.”

“This is not how you die.” Her sharp smile faded. “Unless you wish to.” I rattled my chains against the iron table. “You cursed me for that already.” “An unfortunate necessity.” Pale eyelids closed over her milky irises. “But we both got what we wanted.”

She nodded absently, pressing her forehead to the window. “It is gone. I no longer need you dead. In fact, I need you alive.”

“You know, you once told me we do terrible things for power, courageous things for hope, desperate things in fear, but we will do anything, absolutely anything for love.”

Yn y bywyd hwn ac o hyn ymlaen. In this life, and hereafter. I finally had her back in one piece, and I would never fail her again. I nodded, slapping the hood of the car. “Let’s go get my wife.”