| |
Prologue
Full moon high in the sky above the small island inside the lake, Ridley Echo sighed as she traveled toward the land, by boat, to start the ceremony that would plant her Sithen, and start her personal adventure of princesshood.
It was past time in her eyes to do it and start this journey but with everything else in her life, the timing had to be perfect in order to maximize the magical output for her court. The Anointed had been living on the dregs of what they originally had access to, and while they were just as anxious to have their court back to a livable magic, there were always tenets and protocols to adhere to.
“Are you ready?” Sheridan asked, as she came up to stand beside her.
She looked to her mentor and nodded. “Past ready.” She smiled. “Do you think I’m going to have to do things like Theo and Eira?”
Sheridan shook her head, her silvery hair flowing in the breeze. “I don’t. You are all different women, so you will all have different journeys.” The woman looked to her. “And I know you are anxious, and have been. But this is right, this is the right time, and it will bring you the males, or females, that will bolster your magic, and make you happy.”
“As if one is inclusive to the other,” she said with another sigh.
“For Air Court, it is.” Sheridan wrapped her arm around her. “It’s how it’s been for as long as any of us can remember. If you don’t like it maybe this will be the way to change it.”
Their approach slowed as the dock came into view. Riddle smiled as she spied her best friend, Candiria Asterion, standing among the gathered group, with her men by her side. She waved back to her friend as the boat docked and noticed the other princesses, their men, Senara and Chess and the rest of her household, and a few others of the Nightmare princesses including Queen Verity.
Sheridan grinned at her, the woman’s bright eyes starry. “Let’s go, Rids.”
Riddle nodded and climbed off the boat to meet with the Head of the Anointed, Willomena, at the end of the dock.
“Princess Ridley, Acolyte Echo, are you ready to bring magic back to Air Court, with the laying of our first Sithen?”
She nodded and the crowd behind Willomena parted, wisps appearing in a line. She knew they belonged to Willomena, the lone member of the Anointed that could still call magical beings to her person. There was a reason why she was the head of the sect.
Walking down the aisle, Riddle was happy that her sect wasn’t all about robes and frippery. She had dressed as she was comfortable, as all her sect did, to better maximize their personal gifts, though she was barefoot, to better connect with Faerie.
“We tread on our mother, we ask her to bless this union of stone and earth, of power and hope,” Willomena said as they walked toward where they would lay the stone, to become the keystone of her Sithen.
The house on the grounds was a relic, a large skeleton looming before them. Once a beautiful and massive country house on the island, it had been hit by lightning in the thirties, and all that was left was the stone foundation, and some of the stone columns. Torches surrounded the space, their family and friends now on the outskirts of the torches, giving them the room they needed.
Sheridan stopped in front of her father and bowed to him, and Riddle went to him with a smile. Holding the box that housed her Sithen stone, Saul cleared his throat.
“With the laying of this stone, Magic begins once more for Air Court, and as I hand it over to our princess, so too do I hand over the reins to our court, so that she may guide us into prosperity and opportunity.”
Riddle took the box from her father and turned to Willomena who was now three steps down into the foundation. She followed her in, and the woman’s voice rang clear as a bell.
“House head Ridley, Princess of Air Court, the fates, and Faerie, Mother Gaia and Sister Nyx await your placement. Who will stand with you, to create the circle?”
Riddle looked to Sheridan, who nodded. A princess’s power was her own, but it was the essence of the ones she considered closest to her that would allow her to grow, both as a princess, and as a magic user. Connection was key in everything the Anointed did, and before this, she never thought to be close enough to do anything like this, but now...
“I call my Dark twin, Candiria Asterion, to stand to mirror my person. My best friend and sister chosen. The keeper of my secrets,” she said with a smile.
She heard a gasp and turned to see Ria’s grinning face. Her friend pointed at herself and mouthed ‘me’ as her smile grew. Then her back straightened and her face became more serious, though delight and excitement still shone in her eyes. “I would be honored, Princess Riddle.”
Grinning like an idiot, she watched Ria skip down to her and stand across from her and then spoke again. “I call my sister, Rue Echo, to stand to my right, my sister by blood, and the keeper of my joy.”
Rue walked up, dressed in a long black maxi dress and bowed to her, standing to her right. “I got you, sis.”
Nodding to her sister, and then to Ria, she sighed as butterflies entered her stomach.
“I ask Queen Senara Chaos to stand at my left.” She looked to Sen. “A woman of beauty, ambition, and kindness. The keeper of our courts, and a friend divine.” She nodded, hoping Sen would take the spot. True, they weren’t especially close, but she had always felt a sister in Senara.
Senara smiled at her, a slight pink staining her cheeks as she walked forward. When she reached her, she leaned in to kiss her cheek. “No place I would rather be.” Her voice lowered. “This is quite exciting. Thank you for allowing me to be part of it.”
“Just wait,” she whispered as she watched her friend stand to her left.
With all four in place, Willomena started a chant that the rest of the Anointed, interspersed within the crowd watching, echoed. Soft drums started to beat, one for each house in attendance, the bong of the soft hide lulling with the melodic chant.
She looked to Sen, then Rue, then Candiria, who winked, and went to her knees and opened the box, her stone glittery blue with swirls of lavender and black, as if it were a moving, living thing, nestled in the black velvet. She picked it up and smiled at the lovely familiar weight to it and closed her eyes, focusing and setting her intention.
Let this stone root, Dear Mother, she whispered in her mind. Let it bring life and happiness, laughter and beauty back to this island. Let this stone bring what will come, let me be worthy of those who will find me.
Lowering her hands to the dirt, she let the stone settle and then moved her hands. She watched in awe as the stone levitated for a moment then landed with a thump into the dirt. She, and she knew the other four, felt a pulse because they all gasped, and they watched as the stone sank into the earth, blue and lavender veins reaching through the ground, as if arteries of glittering stone.
“The stone has been accepted into the land,” Willomena said once more and Riddle felt another pulse, this one sliding up her spine slowly. She shivered and stood as the drumming stopped and the torches went out, leaving them all bathed in the light of the moon, and the wisps that had started to enter the trees. She looked to Sen, Rue and Candiria with a grin.
“So proud of you!” Rue said as she wrapped herself around her. A younger version of herself, Rue, and her twin, Duke, had their mother’s coloring like her, the white hair and grey eyes.
“Thank you,” she said as she moved away as Sen walked up.
“You can feel the magic you bring already,” Senara said, taking her hands. “You and your sect are a gift to Light Court and I know with you heading up Air, it’s only going to get stronger. I can’t wait to watch you help Faerie heal.”
“Thank you, Sen.” She nodded to her friend. “We had hoped the stone would take, and there would be magic. The island is a nexus both here and in Faerie, though the Anointed haven’t been able to access Faerie here. I hope the Sithen rooting will give us access, it’s wild, untamed, and I want so badly to be part of it. Please tell me you will come back once the Sithen becomes.”
“Of course, I will. I’m excited to see what your Sithen looks like and meet the avatar.” Sen smiled. “I have no doubts this land will become a beacon for magic. It’s just been waiting for you to sow the seeds again.”
“I hope so.” She pulled Sen into a hug. “And thank you for standing with me, for closing the circle. Most Acolytes in the past have had their own magic circle.” But she didn’t. Acolytes were few and far between these days, less and less females exhibiting the touch, the call to Mother Gaia or Sister Nyx. “I’m humbled you agreed.”
“I was honored you wanted me to be a part of it.” Sen squeezed her tight before pulling away. “You just wait. Soon you’ll have a new circle around you, ones who will not only make you more powerful, but will complete you on a level you never thought possible.” Sen looked over her shoulder to where her men stood. When she turned back, her cheeks were once again stained pink. “A little advice. Don’t force anything and don’t let your head speak too loudly. Allow your heart to lead the way. The ones Faerie calls to us are chosen for a reason. Trust me, it’s easy to think the woman is drunk on some of her choices but she’s never, ever wrong.”
Riddle’s laugh echoed around them and then her eyes went wide and she clamped her hand over her mouth and shook her head, then pulled her hand away. “I’m sure you are right. Terrible, but right. What are the odds I’m going to end up with my own lunatic like Anders?”
“I think you’re safe,” Sen said with her own laugh. “My huntsman is definitely one of a kind. I don’t think anyone could survive two of them.” Ria walked up next to Sen. “I don’t know, my Niko is pretty close,” she said with a grin. “Though he’s a lot crankier than Anders but he’s hotter.”
“He is cranky. Though they are both sexy as hell. All the guards are.” She wrapped her arm around Ria’s waist and pulled her close, wondering to herself if all the princesses had that one guard that drove them completely insane. She was about to ask when she heard a soft gong sound.
“Thank you to all who have joined us, royals and gentry alike. Air Court has set up a repast on the far side of the island, if you are inclined to stay a while and enjoy our hospitality,” Saul said, his voice ringing. “Simply follow the torched path.” He looked to her. “And yes, there are cupcakes.”
Riddle giggled and winked at her father and then looked to Candiria. “Cupcakes.”
“Oh, then we are definitely staying,” Ria said, her eyes lighting up. “Though I hope they have enough. I am eating for a litter of foxes now.”
“Daddy never skimps on cupcakes.”
Rue looked to Senara. “Highness, can we walk together to the repast? I had some questions about what you do. I’m going to be going to college for forensic accounting.”
Senara’s face lit up and she slipped her arm through Rue’s. “There is nothing on any realm I like talking about more than forensic accounting. You might regret asking me.” She smiled and starting walking away with Rue, her focus solely on the topic at hand.
Ria chuckled. “Rue has no idea what can she just opened. I think my cousin may like accounting more than Chess. Come on,” she whispered, “we need to get to those cupcakes before Carnex does.”
Arms still around each other’s waists, they walked in tandem, Ria’s men just before them. “Carnex knows better than to eat them all, he knows I won’t bring any more to Rome,” she whispered and then sobered. “Thank you for standing with me, Ria, I couldn’t have don’t this without your support.”
Ria blew a raspberry. “As if I would ever say no to you. Me and you, we’re stuck with each other forever. And when I say forever, I mean for-ev-er.” She laughed. “So, you have to tell me, how does it feel to plant your Sithen? Mine was always there. I need details, but use small words so I don’t get a headache,” she added with a wink.
“There’s a thrum here now, something deep, something I’m feeling in my bones. I don’t know what’s going to happen, but there’s a pulse,” she sighed and looked to her friend. “I’m nervous, Ria.”
“Of course, you’re nervous, your life is changing,” her friend said. “But it’s exciting. You have so much to look forward to, it’s going to be an adventure. You’re going to kick every obstacle’s ass, take names, and find you a sexy guard who will wait on you hand and foot while also making you crazy.” She grinned. “You’re gonna love every moment of it.”
“I hope so. I mean it all feels real now,” she said softly as they made it to the rise just before the repast. Possibilities were on the horizon, and she would meet them head on because she was a bad ass, but it didn’t make it less nerve wracking. But she was hopeful, hopeful that whoever came to the call she sent out into Faerie would be everything she ever wanted.
***
The foundation underneath the sleeping man rocked, cracks snaking out along the long-forgotten temple by the strength of the tremor. Eyes flashed open. Eyes the color of electric blue with swirls of purple. Eyes that had been closed for far too long.
Feeling the strength of what awakened him, he sat up, smile spreading across his cruel, beautiful face. Finally, he thought. Finally, what he had been waiting what felt like eons for was ready for him. Even if she wasn’t, she would be. He’d make sure she was ready for everything coming her way. He’d been the one who chose who would wake him, unlike the others who had left it to chance. Being the most powerful sorcerer who’d ever existed and a god who was still worshipped out in the open, he didn’t leave anything to chance.
Standing from his resting place, he stretched out his muscles and allowed his beast to take over. The jaguar would sense his destination far better than the man and he had no intention of waiting another moment to find her. No need for her to come search for him, when he intended to find her first.
Chapter One
––––––––
Ten days after the laying of the Sithen stone.
Riddle daubed glue on the underside of the skeletal tree she was holding and then stuck it to the base of the mini cloche she was turning into a mini graveyard. Sitting across from Candiria, she was helping her create mini graveyards for Ria’s baby shower that her mother, Iridia, was throwing her for the brood she was gestating with Barden.
“Such a cute idea,” she said to her friend. It was craft night, and before she got knocked up by the fox, it had been booze night, but since she was carrying precious cargo, it was all tea and cupcakes, not that Riddle minded the cupcakes. Hell, she brought them most of the time. “And this is just the court shower, right? For your mother’s friends?”
“And my mother’s,” Barden said as he walked through. “My family is over the moon with this.” He leaned down and kissed his princess. “You are going to come, right?”
She smirked. “I wouldn’t miss it.” She winked at Ria and started looking through the little mini tombstones. “How you feeling, Ria?”
“Absolutely fantastic,” Ria said and smiled back at Barden. “I would feel even better if my sexy fox decided he wanted to give me a shoulder rub.” Ria bobbed her brows before returning her attention on Riddle. “Now, since I have been distracted making these adorable little graveyards, I haven’t had the chance to ask you if you’ve run into anyone you wanted to take a bite out of yet. Inquiring minds wanna know.”
Barden leaned in and kissed her shoulder. “Anything you want, baby,” he said and set to work on her shoulders.
Riddle smirked, watching the exchange. Barden was ever in love with Ria, and he had been so attentive to her since they found out she was pregnant with their kits. She hoped for the same someday, if nothing else, at least one man to love her the way all of Ria’s did.
“Kinda hard to meet anyone when all I do is go to work and come here,” she said wryly. “Though I’m not complaining. Sheridan thinks my call isn’t strong enough yet to bring anyone to me, considering how new our court is to royal life.”
“Aren’t you working on that festival, though? I mean those rock star guys seem your speed,” Barden offered.
“Maybe, but I just book the bands, I don’t think I have ever met the majority of them. When shows come up and such, I usually just don’t go, sending some of our human DJs instead.”
Ria made a face. “Whatever you do, do not fall for a human. That would suck.” Her friend picked up a little gravestone and glued the bottom, all the while her face pinched up in thought. “Too bad you aren’t Nightmare. If you were, then they’d come to you. I didn’t have to go looking for any of my men, they all just pretty much showed up at my doorstep.”
“It’s the reason why I don’t do events. Human men aren’t a distraction, they are a liability,” she said and nodded. “And don’t get me started on the constant thought of exactly what you just said. I’m just not the kinda girl that goes out there. I mean all the Light Court assholes that wanted me wanted the company. And I know LC has great guys, like Sciath Court’s males, but I have always been friends with them. My father and Leo came up together, so I just don’t see them like that. Toss in the fact that Air Court families mostly produce females.” She shrugged. “Meeting any quality men is tough.”
Ria rubbed her hands together, a mischievous smile on her face. “I’m just going to have to do something about that. Too bad you aren’t into dead guys. I know plenty of hot single men, problem is they smell a little like grave dirt.” She scrunched her nose. “We just need to get you out there. Once they get a look at you, you won’t have to go to them, they’ll be beating people back just to get to you. Though, if you wanna little ghost action, let me know. I know a guy.”
“Ghost action?!” she said, not sure if she was horrified or intrigued. “Ria, really.”
“Sweetheart, that might not work out how you think,” Barden said. “She’s not your mother.”
“Duh,” Ria said with a roll of her eyes. “But my power is a lot stronger now and our sweet little babies,” she laid a hand on her stomach, “are making me stronger. If she found herself a dead man she wanted to shake the cobwebs off of, I could make him corporeal enough to have it work.” Leaning toward Riddle, she lowered her voice. “You just let me know, I’ll make it happen.”
“Thanks, Ria, but pseudo-necrophilia is not the way I wanna start off my princesshood.”
“You could teach her how to make a golem,” Barden offered. “If nothing else he would be a good protector. Geddy always was with you.”
“That’s because Geddy is the best golem ever,” Ria said. “Poor Riddle would end up with the second best and my bestie deserves better than second best. But I’m going to think about what we can do.”
“Well, I’m down for anything, except fucking dead guys. I love you, Ria, but that’s just too far down the rabbit hole for me.”
“You should never knock something until you try it,” Ria said in a singsong voice before going still. “Kol!” she said and popped up from her seat, a smile on her face. As soon as her son’s name left her lips, a man Riddle had never seen before came walking in with Kol balanced on his hip. He was tall, standing around six feet with shaggy dark hair that hung over his forehead. Dressed in a pair of tight black jeans and a black button-up shirt, which looked like it had been used as a napkin for the toddler, given the small handprints of paint all over it.
“Kol,” the man said, “tell your mommy what you learned today.”
Kol bounced in his arm and clapped his hands. “Pretty mama,” Kol said.
“I’m trying to get him to say cranky dada, but still working on that,” the man said.
Barden laughed and shook his head. “Oh, he’s going to love that.”
Riddle looked the dude over, surprised to see someone so young with the kid. Was he the Vidar of Grave Court? Whoever he was, his smile lit up the room.
“Pretty mama,” Kol said again and started to wiggle until he was set on the ground. As soon as the boy’s feet hit the floor, he rushed over to Ria.
“My sweet little boy,” Ria said and scooped him up, placing kisses all over his face. “You being good for Million?” Kol nodded.
“We’re about to go bother Argie,” Million said. “But he wanted to see you first. Didn’t mean to interrupt.”
“My baby could never interrupt me,” Ria said, placing Kol back on his feet to rush back to Million. The kid did nothing at a slow speed. “Oh! You haven’t met Riddle yet, have you? Million, this is Riddle, the Light Court princess of the Air Court. Riddle, this is Million, of the Abramelin demonarchy.”
“So, you’re the famous Riddle,” Million said. “Ria talks about you all the time. Pleasure.” He leaned down and scooped up Kol.
She wiggled her fingers at him. “Same. You draw the short straw to babysit that little monster?” She stuck her tongue out at the little prince. “That shirt of your is taking one hell of a beating.”
“More like drew the long straw,” Million said and sent her a smile. “Kol is the coolest kid on any realm. Though, I do have to take more trips than usual to the dry cleaners after hanging out with him.”
“Million is the best babysitter. Kol adores him,” Ria said. “The Abramelin demonarchy is the only demonarchy exclusively attached to a court. They’ve been with us since the beginning and Million is the best of them.” She shot him a grin and he bowed.
“Always a pleasure to serve my princess,” Million said. “I don’t want to keep you from...” He looked at the table and what they’d been making and started to laugh. “Little graveyards. Why am I even surprised?”
“You shouldn’t be, this is Ria we are talking about,” Riddle offered.
“It’s for the shower,” Barden finished. “Cupcake?” He pointed to the table.
“Don’t say the c word,” Million said just as Kol started to bounce and squeal. He shot Barden a look. “The kid gets a sugar high just hearing that word.”
“So does his mother,” Ria said and grabbed a cupcake.
“And you are taking him to see Argie, right? And Ariton?” Barden asked, an evil glint in his eye. “So, sugar him up.”
Riddle laughed and shook her head as she reached for the pistachio cupcake. “Then take him to see Niko?”
“I’m not leaving him with that crazy old bat,” Million said with a laugh then looked at Riddle. “But I will be back for three of those cupcakes before I drop him off with Niko. Devious plan. I like it.”
“Better make it quick then.” She grinned and pulled the paper off the bottom of the cake in her hand. “Between Ria and I they will be gone soon.”
“Those graveyards are going to be a bit more creative,” Barden groaned. “My kits are going to burst outta you Alien style, Ria.”
Ria blew a raspberry at Barden. “If Niko’s baby didn’t go all Alien style, yours won’t.” She blew him a kiss.
“Oh, I’ve heard all about the two of your cupcake addictions,” Million said. “I almost got my hand cut off last time I went for one. Okay, Kol, say goodbye to Mama, Daddy B, and Riddle.”
“Buh, Mama, Dada B, and Riri,” Kol said and kissed his hand before swinging it out.
“Bye, my sweet boy!” Ria said.
“I’ll be back for those cupcakes,” Million said before leaving the room.
“I have a feeling he’s going to be disappointed,” Riddle offered before she bit into the cake and moaned. “FatCakes makes the best cupcakes.”
Ria chuckled. “I’ll buy him extra next time because there so isn’t going to be any left.”
“You snooze you lose,” she agreed.
Almost simultaneously, both her and Ria’s cells started ringing. She picked it up, a questioning frown on her face. “It’s Senara.”
Barden handed the phone to Ria. “It’s V.”
“Hey, Sen, what’s up?” she asked as she answered the call. “Everything okay?”
“Everything is fine,” Sen said. “I’m glad I could get a hold of you, though. I just spoke with Eira and we need to gather all the princesses up and head to Hybrasil.”
“Uh, okay,” she said. “Now?” She looked over to Ria who seemed to be having the same conversation with Verity. “I’m at Ria’s, so we will head over. You sure everything is okay?”
“Riddle, if something was wrong, I would tell you,” Senara said. “Trust me, I would never keep anything from any of you girls. We’re a team. If you’re with Ria, Verity is either calling her now or they’re already talking, so just plan on getting there as soon as you guys can. And don’t worry.”
“Okay, see you soon.” She hung up and watched as Ria did as well. “Hybrasil?” she asked her friend.
Ria nodded. “Yup! Looks like we’re gonna have a royal party tonight. Barden, can you go let Million know?”
He nodded and walked out, only to be replaced by Geddy a moment later. “Am I hearing you are going somewhere?” He smiled at Riddle. “Hey, little sister.”
“Hey, Geddy. Apparently, we are going to Hybrasil.”
“Can I accompany you?” he said to Ria and pulled her into a hug.
“Of course, you can,” Ria said, wrapping her arms around her golem. “We can sneak off now and not tell the rest of them.” Leaning back, she grinned up at him then winked at Riddle. “Especially Niko, I like when he goes grey. It’s sexy.”
“Terrible. You are terrible to that beast.” She stood and grabbed her bag. “Let’s bounce. Best not to keep two queens waiting.”
TWO
Once they were through the portal to the original Sithen they spied the rest of the girls all pretty much coming in. She smiled when she saw Faust and Eira, and waved. “Wonder what all this is about,” she said to Ria as Geddy squired them into the Sithen proper.
“Whatever it is,” he said, “it’s got everyone buzzing.”
“I bet whatever it is, we can blame all this excitement on the two of them,” Ria said, grinning over at Eira and Faust. “They have that look of knowing something the rest of us don’t.”
“Isn’t it always the way?” Riddle said as they walked into the Sithen. The foyer was set up with couches, large chairs, and a center table with drinks and small snacks. “Cosmo is always an amazing host,” she said as Geddy sent them to two large chairs. She sat in one, and Geddy sat in the other, and pulled Ria into his lap.
Ria snuggled into her golem and looked around the room. “Seems like we’re not the only ones wondering.” The other princess pointed to where Verity, Senara, and Chess were talking. “Looks to me they don’t know what’s going on either. I tried to ask Verity when we were on the phone but she didn’t tell me jack.”
“Same with Sen,” she murmured. “This will be interesting.”
Faust walked over and settled Eira into a loveseat and stood, looking at the lot of them. “Hello, everyone,” Faust began. “And sorry for interrupting your evenings, I know you all have other places you would rather be.”
“It’s fine, Faust,” Alyx said as she put her feet up on Bax’s legs. “What’s this all about?”
“Well, we had a breakthrough at the Observatory, and, well...” He looked at everyone. “The Stellar Games are going to be starting soon.”
“I’m sorry, the what?” Riddle asked. “Stellar Games?”
Faust nodded. “I didn’t know what they were either but Cosmo clued us in.”
“Well, can we have story time with him as well?” Alyx asked
“Lord Faust, if I may?” Cosmo said as he walked into the room.
“Your show, ace.” Faust sat, and the moment he did, Eira moved closer to slide her arm around his.
Cosmo smiled at them all. “I would like to preface with the fact that I am sorry I did not think to talk to you all about this before. I didn’t think we were in a games year. I honestly thought it had passed us by, and by rites it should have, but Faerie is upping the timetables a little. So, the Stellar Games are a Faerie-wide event that focuses on missions, both cooperative and individual, in order to bestow certain magics and relics on the houses that would benefit most from being caretaker of them, to learn best from them.
“Interesting,” Verity said. “So, we are in a games year?”
He nodded. “Different times of year, certain star clusters trigger a game, but it’s not every year. Some years get two clusters for minor games but once every one hundred years, a major game comes up.”
“And we found a major game star cluster,” Faust said. “Games are determined to happen by nodes in the Observatory,” he continued. “They light up in accordance with celestial alignments and clusters. Bax, myself, Hallion, Espa, and Carhal were trying to figure out why a fucking wall of stones were lighting up and Cosmo stopped by to let us know what it meant. I mean we knew the games were coming, but we all assumed they were minor games. Minor games don’t get announced on the board, so to speak.”
“Okay, so what is this for?” Gogo asked.
Cosmo looked to her, then the others. “Vault seven at Dewan.”
“The locked vault?” Alyx said. “The one there’s no key for?”
Cosmo nodded. “A court must win entrance.”
“Are we talking games to the death?” Mea asked from where she was leaning against a wall by Verity. “Or are we talking more mental games? None of us have any historical knowledge of what the Stellar Games are, and Gogo didn’t bring Nihar.” She winked at the other princess.
“Oh, I’m sure he’s in the library foaming at the mouth,” Gogo said with a wry smile. “I fear I’ll have to go rescue him soon enough.”
Cosmo shook his head. “Neither, Princess Nymea. These are physical games meant to create fellowship, but also end results.”
“Does that mean the court that wins gets everything inside?” Theo asked as she ran her hand over Geir’s thigh. They looked to be missing date night if their clothing was any indication.
“No, Princess. The winning court gets to go in first and pick their relic.” He smiled. “This game is a reliquary game, one that will bestow an ancient piece of Faerie on each house. But the winner gets to choose first.”
“So, this isn’t about putting one court over another?” Verity asked with a smile. “I like that.”
“Back before the split, Faerie worked together, houses and courts worked to keep the magic flowing, and dynamic,” Faust said. “Or so it says in the various texts. So, we as a society would all be working toward the goal of opening the vault.”
Senara smiled. “So, in all reality, we all end up winners. Not only do we all have a chance to pick something from inside the vault, but we get to spend time together. I see no downside in this. Unless there is something you haven’t mentioned yet.”
“Nothing nefarious that I am aware of, Highness,” Cosmo said with a bow.
“Well, how does this work then?” the Nightmare queen asked.
Cosmo nodded to Verity. “There are five events, and the court that wins the most gets first choice of caretakership of an artifact in the vault. Vault seven is filled with magical items, ones locked away because they were wild magic, and I think that is just what Faerie needs to bring herself back up to her baseline.”
“Is this strictly for those with guard already?” Riddle asked, interested but not getting her hopes up. “If so, Addie and I can’t compete for our courts.”
Cosmo shook his head. “These games are meant to incorporate the court, and use their talents and strengths to finish the tasks.”
“And will we know the tasks beforehand?”
The avatar nodded. “I can give you a rundown now if you want?”
“Please,” Verity offered. “Oh, this is so exciting.”
Addie looked over at Gobeth and grinned. “Just so you know, I claim Dells. Since she’s my brother’s, she’s honorary Sciath Court.” She winked.
“Careful, Addie,” Geir said with a laugh, “Gogo might swoop in and take Leif for the same reason.”
“Eh, she can have Leif, but I’m taking Dells.” Addie winked and looked to Cosmo as she pulled her phone out of her back pocket. “Okay, break it down for us. I’m going to start figuring out betting lines.”
“Trials, much like the princess trials of Nightmare, run on a five-point system. Earth, air, fire, water, and spirit. Each trial has to involve a minimum of one retainer and some will also need to include the royal of the house. There is an objective to each trial, and there are rankings.” He smiled. “Oh, it will be nice to have the leaderboard again. Oh! We will have to update it.”
Ryker looked to Addie. “Totally be something all of Faerie would wanna bet on.” He winked.
“Sugar,” Addie said to him, “I live for this shit. By the time I’m done, I’ll have Faerie betting on what color shirt Vice is going to wear for trial three.”
“Wait,” Ria said, “when you say royal, are you speaking of one of the princesses or prince of the courts? So, we will need to participate in all trials? Or do you mean a royal in the court?”
“Retainers should be chosen for familiarity of the task, or their designations. Royal means the reigning monarch, blood family, or consort. Of course, it is all up to the court royal that is in charge their level of involvement,” Cosmos said as he continued. “Task one is a species-specific challenge, though it changes each time. Task two an obstacle course with a singular focus. Task three is what I believe humans call a relay, four is a temple challenge, and five is an object challenge. I’m not sure what order we will get them in, as I won’t be made aware till just before. Depending on the theme, some of these tasks can get pretty involved.”
“With six pregnant royals, this should be highly entertaining,” Eira said with a laugh. “I’m not sure if it gives you the advantage or not, but I’m going with the former.”
“Clearly advantage,” Ryker said. “For some.” He winked at Gogo. “Some.” He shrugged.
“You know,” Hendrix, who had been quiet through this, said with a grin. “This could be one amazing endeavor. With the spread at the fae casinos...” He looked to Sen. “I’m sure I can talk your lunatic into televising it for the fae, via a live feed, and Riddle...” She looked up. “Think we can incorporate the radio station?”
She nodded. “I think we can figure something out. “
Hendrix looked to Addie. “We need to talk, this could be a huge thing.”
“Definitely,” Addie said. “I plan on working on getting it ready for the online section of Graniers’ website tonight. Hell, each house probably has something or someone in their arsenal that can expand on this to make sure all of Faerie can be involved in it somehow, betting or not.”
“Oh, that sounds like a great idea,” Senara said. “Though, Hendrix, you really need to be more specific when you say my lunatic. I happen to have multiple. I’m assuming you mean Anders.” She smiled at him. “I gift him to you for your endeavors.”
“I’ma make his ass work,” Hendrix said with a vicious smile.
“Don’t break him, Hendrix,” Sen said, “I might need him for the games.”
“So, when does this start?” Riddle asked, nerves starting to creep in.
“A few days, we think,” Faust said. “Hallion is still working out the exact day and time, but we will give you lead time.”
“I have a question,” Eira said, looking up at Faust. “Do we know how long each trial lasts and what the time between each trial is?”
“I don’t but...” He looked to Cosmo.
“Trials last as long as they need to, to declare a winner,” the avatar said. “And there are exactly two weeks between each trial, running on the moons.”
Eira nodded. “Two weeks should work.”
“That’s exactly what you’re thinking about,” Addie said with a laugh. “The work you’ll be missing when you’re at the games. Woman, that’s what employees are for.”
Eira stuck her tongue out at Addie. “Luckily most of my work is all fae work and they’ll be too busy placing bets on your site.”
“So that’s it?” Verity asked. “We need to make our courts ready, right?” Cosmo nodded. “Well then.” She looked to Everett. “We should get home and tell everyone, figure things out, yeah?”
“My entire family and Ari’s are going to want to come watch,” the boar said. “I do believe we have a leg up with all our shifters. We got this one in the bag,” he added with a wink.
“You can stuff it,” Alyx said. “Bax, we need to go home, we have planning and for once I think Scur’s idiot siblings will come in handy.”
Theo grinned at Geir. “Looks like we have some planning.”
“Just remember, Theo, he’s the only Granier you’re getting,” Addie said. “I’m keeping the rest.”
“Yeah, but Theo is getting the best of the bunch,” Geir said, helping Theo to her feet. “Family side bet will be needed.”
“Count on it,” Addie said before waving at everyone and heading out.
Mea sighed and looked to Ryker. “Guess we need to figure out how to tell Tripp about this. You know he’s going to expect weapons, even if none are needed.”
“You negotiate with the lunatic. Well, we can just deny him time with the massive spider,” he offered.
“Think I’m going to make you do it,” Mea said with a smirk. “You know the whole, you knocked me up so now you have to do the dirty work.”
“She’s right, Ryker,” Ria said with a smile. “One of the beauties of being pregnant is not having to do things you don’t wanna do.”
“Baby cakes, you know I’ll handle it.” He winked at her. “Now, we have stuff to do, yes?”
Riddle watched them, the nerves starting to make her slightly ill. Verity, Gogo, Alyx, and Theo walked out, with Senara and Aziz, who was extremely quiet through the entire meeting, walking out together. She looked to Ria. “Well, that was fun.”
Geddy slid out from under Ria and helped her up.
“Riddle, that’s way more than fun! It’s exciting. We’re going to get to play games and hang out with our friends and family. And there’s prizes. Sounds like the best couple of months ever.” She did a little shake of her hips but when she looked at Riddle she frowned. “Aren’t you excited?”
She sighed. “I...I wanna be but honestly, I’m more nervous than anything. I don’t think Air Court is going to have a leg to stand on in all this.” She stood up.
Ria made a face at her. “Of course, you are, you guys are freaking magic. Plus,” she said, slipping her arm through Riddle’s, “my court is your court, if you need anything or anyone, I’m sure I have a couple extra hanging around.” She giggled. “Grave Court is the largest of all the courts since I have all that have come before at my fingertips. We got this, so you can now get all excited.”
Laughing, she shook her head. “I do love you, Ria, I just... If I didn’t have you this would suck for Air Court. We are magic, yes, but it’s stunted, and I don’t even have my own.” She sighed again as they walked out of the Sithen and down to the portal garden. “We are just the Anointed, with a few scattered families, we don’t have the powerhouses that the other houses do. Hell, Addie has one hell of a leg up, I just feel like we are on the bottom rung.”
“It’s always the ones no one expects or pays attention to that you have to watch out for. You so got this and you got me, so you’re already ahead of the game,” Ria said. “This will also be a good way for you to get to check out some of the men from the different courts, ‘cause you know a lot of them will want to come watch in person. Might just find you a little something-something.” She bobbed her brows.
With a chuckle, she shook her head. “You really are terrible, Ria, though I am interested in seeing some of the Nightmare males. Considering Light Court are just not for me.” She shrugged. “Honestly, I’m worried that we will make a poor showing and won’t be able to grow our court.”
“You worry far too much, Rids.” Ria bumped her shoulder with her own. “You know what worrying gets you? Nothing. You need to go out, have some fun, flirt with some hunky Nightmare Court males, and not think about the what ifs. I’m telling you, this is going to be a blast. Right, Geddy?”
“Of course, it is,” Geddy agreed. “And who knows, Riddle, this might be the catalyst you need to kickstart things.”
“You guys are right, of course, I guess I just don’t feel settled. Christ, I don’t even have my Sithen yet.”
“That’s coming,” Geddy said helpfully. “It’s only a matter of time before that comes together. It’s been, what? Two weeks since you laid the stone?”
She nodded. “But it’s been quiet since.”
“That’s because it’s getting everything ready,” Ria said. “One day soon it’s just gonna be there and be perfect. So, turn that frown upside down. I have a really good feeling about this. And I mean it, my court is your court, so if you need to borrow any of them, they are at your disposal. If I have to, I’ll bribe Niko to be nice.”
Geddy snorted. “The King of Crank is only nice to you, lovely girl.”
“He has a point.” Riddle laughed and shook her head. “I know, I’m just nervous. It will be okay, it always is.” She smiled at her best friend. “Let’s go back and finish those favors, and maybe scarf the two cupcakes I hid in the kitchen cupboard.”
“Million probably already found them. That demon can sniff out sugar. I kinda think it might be his superpower.”
“Let’s hope he didn’t. I hid the cookies and cream ones.” She tugged her friend into the portal and back to Grave Court.
Chapter 3
Two days later.
“The Echo Fest has been completely sold out.”
Riddle looked up from her computer, the last of the week’s programming finished, to see her father standing in the doorway of her office with a big smile on his face. The man didn’t look like he was a widower or the parent of four, three surviving, children. No, he looked like a dark-haired GQ model, except for his mismatched eyes, one a startling green, one brown.
“You’re kidding. How is that possible?” she asked as she pulled up her long white hair, wrapping it into a bun behind her head.
Walking in, he shrugged. “Apparently someone knew exactly what she was doing when she created the lineup. Sold out in less than four hours total, over VIP and General Admission.”
That someone was her. She had decided everything from the venue to the bands on each stage. Saul had been behind her all the way and it seemed it paid off. “And the sponsorship spots? The vendors?”
“All filled and ready.”
She blinked. “Every one?” This she did not expect to hear this early. Oh, she expected them to sell out, of all opportunities, but not this quickly.
He nodded. “Every one. Ridley sweetheart, you did it. You came up with the idea, the lineup, the location. This is all you. It’s very clear to everyone that as my successor here, you are going to keep growing this company past the original idea. The board likes the fact that this endeavor will bring in almost fifty percent more than they predicted.”
“And that’s before the merchandizing opportunities.” Which she knew the board was very interested in.
“Indeed,” he said. “You doing okay?”
She nodded, a smile on her face. After the meeting at Hybrasil, and her talk with Ria on the way home, she was feeling hopeful that Air Court would be able to participate in the Stellar Games, when the time came, regardless of if she had a guard or members, or not. She and Ria had plotted well into the night, as her friend was not content with Riddle and Air Court being left out for any reason.
But that was all for later. Good things were happening now, good things that were making her sort of giddy now that she could focus. “I’m actually going to be leaving in a few.” She grinned. “Sheridan called a few minutes ago. Said there’s a new signature coming from the island.”
“They think your Sithen is ready?” Saul asked, surprised. “So soon?”
“Possibly? They said it’s changed, and faint, but they don’t think it’s ready yet.” They being the Anointed council of thirteen.
“Ah. I was going to see if you wanted to get lunch with me and your siblings but by all means, Princess,” her father grinned. “Go and see what your magic has wrought.”
“Raincheck on lunch then, yeah?” she said as Baxter came out from under her desk and hauled ass to her father, who picked him up. The menace loved Saul almost as much as he loved her.
“Hiding underfoot?” he said to the large Faerie iguana. “One of these days you are going to scare the crap outta someone.”
“That’s his MO. Scared the crap outta Niko a few weeks ago. Seeing that crabby lunatic jump was everything,” she said as she stood from her chair and grabbed her bag and hoodie. “Here, I’ll take him. I want to bring him with so he can finally set foot in his own pocket of Faerie.”
“Have fun,” her father said as he handed the large reptile over. “And don’t forget to call me tonight, yeah? I wanna know all about it.” He leaned in and kissed her forehead. “Love you, honey.”
“Love you, too, Daddy.”
“I am so proud of you.”
“Don’t be yet, we don’t know what the ritual has brought to the island.”
The man smiled, genuine and warm. “Something tells me it’s exactly what you hoped for.”
Twenty minutes later she was behind the wheel of her Porsche Cayman with the black flake paint her father had gotten her as her princess present and settled Baxter into his bucket seat next to her, calling Candiria.
“Hello?” she heard the slightly accented voice of Candiria’s most recent baby daddy.
“Hey, Niko, you beast, she around?”
“Ah. Hello, Riddle. Yes, she’s right here.”
“Hidey ho!” Ria said as her voice came over the line. “You have fantastic timing, five minutes earlier and Niko would have crushed my phone before answering it. So, what’s up, buttercup?”
“Would it have been worth the crushing?” she asked with a smirk as she took the on ramp to the highway.
“Why do you think I keep him around?” Ria said followed by the other woman giggling.
“I swear your afternoon fuck fests are worth living vicariously through. How’s things?”
“Absolutely fabulous, as always. It’s good to be me. How about you? I know you didn’t call me to hear the details about the things Niko does with his tongue, but I’d be happy to... Hey!” Ria’s voice sounded farther away. “Give me back my phone.” There were static sounds before Ria was back. “Apparently I’m not allowed to tell you about that. Remind me tell you later,” she whispered.
“Of course. You know, one of these days I will be able to tease you with naughty stories, at least I hope so.” She sighed. “I’m going to the island, Sheridan said there’s a new signature there. They don’t think the Sithen is completely ready but I wanna see how it’s coming along. She did say the portal garden is filling in, though, and I already know the portal to Grave is operational.”
“Duh. It was probably the first one ready to go. Faerie knows you need access to your bestie. Please tell me you’re going to take pics of what’s there. I wanna see. I’d come join you but with the look Niko is giving me right now, he’s not quite done with me. And as much as I adore you...”
“Getting worked over by that beast is well worth missing the exploration. Don’t worry. Ill text you some pics. Have fun and don’t break him.”
“One day I will,” Ria said with a sigh. “The gods know I’ve been trying.”
“He’s not old as fuck because he’s easily broken, but I have faith in you, sister. Have fun.” She hung up just as she reached the turn off to the lake.
Turning onto the property, the large ornate iron gates swung open as her car meandered down the long drive that would take her to the bridge that would lead her to the island on the lake. Already she was seeing differences. The trees were lush, greener, and denser, the foliage giving the air a dreamy effect. She knew the moment she crossed into the Faerie pocket, the exact middle of the bridge, and knew as she did that the boundary was still growing, and would continue to until her Sithen was completely formed.
Trees on this side of the bubble were larger, green, but with silver and gold and even gunmetal colored leaves, their branches encapsulating the driveway to the foundation of the original house. Saul had restored the grounds and the asphalt, but as she drove up the asphalt turned to a matte looking cobblestone, though it wasn’t bumpy. Smooth, like glass, the tiles rolled down the way and Baxter climbed up from his seat to look out the window.
“Cool, right?” she said to him and followed the roadway, the surrounds heavy with haze, and falling petals, much like cherry blossoms, though they were blue and iridescent white. She opened the windows slightly, unsure if Baxter would try to escape the moving vehicle, and inhaled, the scents sweet, like warm clover and honeysuckle, hitting her nose. It reminded her of the Orchard at Hybrasil, and her mind started to wonder if they would have some of the same trees.
They made it through the tree tunnel, her eyes going wide as she saw what stood before them.
A large double A-frame house in glass, with black sides, and what looked liked ironwood accents, and a massive stone chimney. This was the signature they felt on the grounds?
“Holy shit,” she said softly as she pulled the car to a stop. She got out, leaving her car door open, and walked across the lawn slightly. Silvery green grasses underfoot, small chubby plants, like succulents only more, and large toadstools, popped up from outcroppings, and under bushes and large silvery willows.
The house loomed, but was bright, despite the amount of black, and she could see windows gleaming in the late afternoon light. Three balconies faced her, and she saw what looked like more of the house jutting from behind what was right in front of her.
“Oh...” she said as she felt Baxter climbing her leg. Reaching down, she lifted him and he looked around from his better vantage point. “It’s beautiful. Modern, like I hoped, but darker. I wonder why?” she said to the lizard. “Should we take a walk around?”
The large lizard started climbing out of her hands, and she let him down to the ground, where he started walking toward the back of the house. Following with earnest, she looked around her, noticing so much new. Stone outcroppings, little alcove sitting areas, large monolithic standing stones jutting from the ground at intervals. To the south, toward the left side of the island, what looked like a hedge maze, though the plants were shrouded in fog that glittered.
Here was a place that magic was growing, living, a wild, happy thing. And this was where she would make her home, and the home forever of Air Court. Taking a deep breath, she smiled. It felt good, it felt alive with purpose, and possibilities. Oh, the Sithen wasn’t done yet, far from it, but the land already it felt like home.
A home she would welcome the men that would love her for always. The thought made her smile anew as she walked farther toward the back of the house, and what she saw made her curious.
Jutting from the hillside of the house proper, not five hundred feet from the façade of the main portion was a long grass-covered rectangle, and one that crossed under it, large rectangular shapes cut into everything. She assumed they were windows, and itched to walk in and see the interior, what that much light would do to the inside. There was a sunken pool on an ironwood deck, no railings, the entire foundation sank into the rocky side of the island. More glass, black and ironwood everywhere, though the black was a lovely matte finish, stoic and quiet among the backdrop of nature. It fit, so far, her house on the island, her Sithen born.
Looking down at her companion, she blinked, seeing Baxter’s color changing from the blue-green he normally was to a bright, vibrant blue, then to purple, then to a lovely almost wisteria color, the soft spikes on his back remaining the bright blue color.
“Well look at you. Being in Faerie seems to agree with you as well,” she said softly as she went to her knees and stroked his head. He reached into it and then looked at her, his normally golden eyes almost lime colored. “Really agrees with you.”
She had seen illustrations of fae iguana in the old books, had even seen one at the Oasis on Hybrasil that was pink with yellow spikes, but she never imagined Baxter would change. He had lived his life so far in the human realm, and while he was a rescue, a human had purchased him and Sheridan had known and had gotten him to give to Riddle, she never knew where he was originally from. Some, like the one that was in the Oasis, bonded to a place and changed to suit, but Baxter never had.
The lizard waddled off to explore, and she smiled. “Go. Play. I’m going to look around some more, then we can head inside to see what other surprises await us.”
The grounds were thrumming with energy, as if a heartbeat was answering her own. She walked through low willows, bent and gnarled, their branches creating little shaded areas on the ground. Lush, everything was so lush and inviting, the overall feel of the grounds were one of peace but also anticipation. Making her way to a small set of boulders arranged along the edge of the island, she stopped and turned toward the woods, the feel of being watched coming over her. Unfazed, as she knew Faerie was largely sentient and aware, she started walking along a low rock wall toward the copse of trees closer to the house.
Thalessa, her mother, would have loved this, as it was a small window into what she loved, and taught her daughter to love. Saul would recount how he met her, a beauty in a graveyard, cleaning gravestones. She always loved the darker side of life, death and human rituals around it were her passion. Riddle had followed suit.
A professor of funeral studies with a focus on Victorian rites, Thalessa was the Goth beauty of her father’s darkest dreams...which suited them both just fine. Sheridan said many times that they were very much like Gomez and Morticia, and while Riddle didn’t remember much of her mother, she did remember how much her parents loved one another. It was horrible that they lost her, in childbirth no less, and her baby sister, leaving them to walk this plane of existence without them both.
The love of Saul’s life, Ria had sworn that as soon as she got powerful enough, she would find her for Saul and give him a date night with his wife. The fact that Ria had even thought it made her love her best friend all the more, especially because when she found out they had only been friends a few days.
But Thalessa would have loved what her daughter’s magic wrought. It was gloomy but beautiful, morose but peaceful, modern and comfortable. Riddle sighed and closed her eyes, lifting her face to the sky. The land called to her and she hadn’t even walked into the Sithen yet. Everything just felt right, grounded but charged.
And still, that low thrum of anticipation, as if something was waiting. She smiled to the sky. “It feels so good,” she said, knowing nothing here, on her island, could harm her, or wanted to. Home was where it all went right, and while her place in the city was hers, this, this was home.
This was her future.
A rustle of branches sounded from the woods and when she turned her head, she could see something moving within the trees. The island seemed to go eerily quiet then, not even the wind dared to make a sound. Moments later, she watched as a large black jaguar emerged, slowly stalking toward her.
“Holy shit,” she said, rooted to the spot, her eyes on the large predator. Where the fuck did it come from? Did Faerie have giant cats?
She watched it prowl forward, waiting for her fight or flight to kick in but it didn’t. She didn’t feel anything worrisome, not inside herself or coming off the animal stalking toward her. Nothing had changed, except for the silence around her, as if Faerie and the island were holding its breath, waiting to see what she would do.
Swallowing, she kept her breaths even and waited as the animal came forward. It was beautiful, the fur sleek, shiny, its head large with ears that looked like they would feel like velvet. She wasn’t a cat person, having more of an affinity with reptiles, but this cat...
Baxter was there then, in front of her, changing color to a livid red, posted between her and the cat. “No, Baxter, it can eat you. No,” she said and went to her knees, trying to reach for her familiar when he stopped moving, and watched the cat. Long seconds spanned and then Baxter was moving away, his coloring changing back to the wisteria it was when they first got there.
“I... Oh, boy,” she said as the cat still advanced.
When it got closer, she could make out the spots covering his skin, reminding her of a dark starry night, and a long black stripe across its face, eyes an electric blue with a swirl of purple. She’d never seen eyes that color before. The jaguar stopped a few feet away from her and stared for a moment before it started to circle her.
No malice, only curiosity as she was there on her knees, her eyes tracking him as he moved around her. Swallowing, she closed her eyes, letting Faerie decide. “I don’t know why you are here,” she began. “Just...please don’t eat me,” she said as she rose to her feet.
The jaguar made a sound that could have been a snort as it stopped behind her. Its nose butted up against the back of her calf right before the ground beneath her feet vibrated. Something in the air changed and the sounds which had gone silent moments before were back. She no longer felt the animal behind her but something was still there. Or, more specifically, someone.
Hands brushed against her arms and she felt whoever was now behind her lean closer. “Riddle Echo, Princess of the Air Court,” a deep male voice said against her ear. “Turn around and face what you’ve awakened.”
“A...awakened?” she said and opened her eyes, turning around. “I...”
Dark brown eyes, almost black, stared at her when she turned. They weren’t the same color as the jaguar’s had been, but she knew they were one and the same. His long black hair was pulled back from a face which was far from pretty. There was something dark about him, sinister, but the slight curve of his lips somehow managed to soften his features.
“Yes, awakened,” he said. “I’ve been waiting a long time for you, Riddle, daughter of the Anointed. You’ll have to excuse me not allowing you to find me. I don’t tend to play by the rules.”
She blinked. “You’re my god?” she said as she put two and two together. “I... Hi?” Looking him over, he was darkness, and it called to her in a way she couldn’t process. “Who are you?”
“Tezcatlipoca,” he said with a twitch to his lips. “Most call me Tez, however. If you’re not of my native tongue, it gets a bit tiresome to try and say my full name.” His eyes moved over her, though not in a sexual manner, it was if he was trying to see inside. When he met her eyes again, heat flared in them. “You haven’t tapped into your powers yet. They’re simmering there but seem to be unused.”
She shook her head, trying like hell to not feel defective over the fact he said so casually. “I...” she said again and then steeled herself. “I don’t have a guard, or tethers to power, yet. I’m actually surprised you found me without that. I thought I was supposed to get the Sithen, the guard, then find you. That’s pretty much how it’s gone.” She cocked her head, getting a rein on it. “But you found me first.” She smiled.
He returned her smile but there was something mischievous about it. “As I mentioned, I don’t follow the rules. As soon as you set your Sithen stone, I started to make my way to you. A female of your bloodline shouldn’t be spending time searching for someone who can find them. Waste of time.” He looked over her shoulder toward where her Sithen stood. “It seems we arrived for you on the same day. Your Sithen is both ancient and newborn. It suits you well.” He looked back to her. “You mentioned it wasn’t the way it’s gone. Have the others awoken then?”
“A few. Nareau, Vasuki, Cetus...” she said. “Though I don’t think Cetus was part of your whole thing. Gobeth Argos found him a few years ago.” She looked him over once again. Tall and solid, he exuded power, dark, almost hiding on the edges of her vision she would notice as it slithered into the darkness.
Tez laughed, the sound dancing along her skin. “I told that bastard my plan would work. Little faith that one had in my abilities. I’m assuming since Cetus is out, Poseidon is dead. That would explain the women of Light Court finally becoming the royals they were meant to be.”
“Yes. I wasn’t there, but I was told it was like a Kaiju battle in Australia,” she said offhandedly as Baxter came back, his color changing to a dark black, with bright green spikes. “Hello, love.” She bent to pick him up and regarded Tez once more. She wasn’t sure what was to happen between them, wasn’t sure where to go with him. Having her god standing there, she wasn’t even sure she was ready for that. What did one do with their god?
Oh, she knew what the other princesses did, but clearly Tez wasn’t playing by the rules of his own admission. “You had a hand in Cetus’s reemergence? And what do you know of the females of Light Court?” The last question burned in her. So little had been told to her, to any of them. And while she was sure both Vasuki and Nareau talked to their princesses, she was largely in the dark over everything.
“Cetus might be a god who has power but he doesn’t carry magic. I made sure his little scavenger hunt would be successful. You don’t know anything about me, do you, Riddle? We’ll have to change that.” He looked at Baxter and stroked the tip of his finger over his spikes but didn’t comment on her taste in pets.
“As to what I know about the females of Light Court, I know enough to know when the split occurred, Dark Court started on the right track, though I knew it would end up rotting. The Light, well they started off with a guarantee it would go bad. It was on both sides that Faerie started to waste away. You can’t split two halves apart for that long without it becoming toxic. It was one of the reasons I chose to be one of the sleeping gods, I knew my destiny belonged in the future. With how annoyed I was with the fae population, I would have destroyed them all if I would have stayed.”
“That would have been bad,” she said, her eyes still on him. There was just something, something... “And I’m going to be honest, I don’t know much about you, aside from your name.” She gave him a smirk. “None of the girls knew anything about the gods. Hell, Cetus was all but wiped from the records.”
“Oh, that’s right. I had forgotten about that. I’m sure Cetus was good and pissed when he was rescued.” He gestured toward the Sithen. “How about we explore your new home and I can fill you in who and what I am. Though, the fact I’m not celebrated in this section of the world is a bit of a hit to my ego. I was one known as one of supreme omnipotent gods. Now not even my princess knows who I am.”
His princess. She gave him a small smile. “I’m sorry if that’s a disappointment. Truth is I have spent the majority of my life trying to keep magic flowing for Air Court. When I don’t have my own.”
“That’s not a concern you’ll need to trouble yourself with anymore. I’m not your typical god, Riddle. I’m certainly not a good man, and I’m the furthest thing from pure and light as you will find. My powers lie in my magic. I’m the Aztec god of creation, the Smoking Mirror as I am all seeing. I punished those who deserved to be punished and I have no weaknesses.” He looked at her, as if trying to gage her reaction. “But most importantly, I’m a dark god of sorcery and I can teach you to wield your magic in ways you never imagined. We’re our own two halves that have been separated for far too long.”
“Cool,” she said with a laugh. “You are this magic bad ass, a vengeful god, filled with slithering darkness. I guess that explains why the Sithen looks like it does,” she offered as they made it up the lawn to the front double doors. Black, with what looked like symbols burned into the wood a deeper black, if that was possible. “Not that I mind, as soon as I got here it felt perfect.” And she supposed she had him to thank for that. She looked sidelong at him, noticing him noticing her. A shiver ran through her as Baxter all but jumped out of her hands and started pawing at the door.
“I spelled your Sithen stone,” he admitted. “The moment you planted it into the earth, my magic woke me and led me here.” He looked away from her and ran his hand over the door. “It wasn’t me who chose what this place looks like, however. Riddle, my dear cualtzin, this is all you.” His attention turned back to her. “I’m going to enjoy discovering the powers you hold and watching you hone them.”
The word he called her stuck in her brain, swirled there for moments, and then flew apart. Whatever it was, it felt endearing. She stepped forward, around the large lizard, and set her hand on the door. They opened, and Baxter shimmied his way through the doors and into the foyer, the space cavernous compared to what was seen from the outside.
They walked in, and she marveled at the architecture. Black stone, wood, and large sections of glass as far as the eye could see. The floors were black wood, the ceilings grey wood, with black tables, tall silver and gold lamps at the far wall, flanking a doorway. Just before them, a table where a large vase was sitting, filled with an odd greenish-grey rose.
“Wow...” she said as they stepped down the two steps. “Was...was this stone a Sithen before? Or is this the first time it’s been planted?”
“I guess you can say it’s both,” he told her as he placed his hand at the small of her back and led her farther inside. “The stone was once a Sithen but no Sithen has even been touched by magic like mine, so I guess you can say it’s not something anyone in Faerie has ever had or will ever have.”
“It’s...” She was in awe. So much space, thrumming with power. She touched the wall as she passed and there was an echo there, a heartbeat. As they walked through the doorway into the equally large space she looked down, one level, down stairs that seemed to jut from the side wall of rock, to a sunken living area, large black couches, a black rock fireplace, and glass walls that went all the way up to the A-frame style roof. Some sections were glass, some wood.
“One thing is for sure, this is not made for kids,” she said offhandedly as they descended the stairs, watching Baxter make his way to a green pillow, the only color in the space. “This place is amazing.”
To the left there was another doorway and one to the right, and another just under the stairs. “Tez...” she said and turned to him. “It’s magical.”
“Is it what you’d hoped it would be?” Tez asked as he walked over to the glass wall and looked out at the forest beyond.
Running her hands over the rock again, she noticed the rock had blue opaline flecks, and striations in it, giving the walls a moody, magical appearance. It pulsed, like her Sithen stone did. Looking at Tez, she grinned. “Magic.” Her voice was soft, awe apparent. Never had she felt so much power. “Maybe?” she said, answering him. “I honestly didn’t know what to expect. Theodora changed her childhood home into her Sithen, and Eira woke her Sithen in Icere Nor. Neither of them had to grow a Sithen, create it from a foundation, so I didn’t know what to expect. I just... When the Anointed found this island, figured out the bubble of Faerie here was potent, I just hoped for a place that felt like home I guess.”
“And does it?” he asked, looking at her over his shoulder. “Does it feel like home? I must admit, I’m not exactly sure what that would feel like. I traveled a lot in my day. Never tended to stay in one place for long.”
“Surely you had a home base?” she asked and walked over to him. “It feels cozy, a place where I can be comfortable.” Truth was home, her father’s house, or her apartment in the city, neither felt like home really. She always felt like she was needed elsewhere, should be elsewhere. Maybe this was what was calling to her. “I know this place feels good, and Baxter seems to like it. What do you think? I mean, this is going to be your home too from now on, right?”
His eyes stayed on the woods just beyond but his hand moved to lie against her back. “You shouldn’t state that as a question, but only as an absolute. We are bound and when two souls are bound the way we are,” he turned to look at her, “you make it clear that this will be my home. No room for arguments.”
Lord, he was intense. The look in his eyes was both resolve and acceptance. She wasn’t sure if the man had ever felt confused in his life, but here she was being told by an eons old god that she was to make it clear he would live at her Sithen. Her, Riddle Echo. It was a head trip. “I very much want you to live here, with me.” The idea that he didn’t have a home before, it didn’t sit well with her. “So, you will live here, with me.” Smiling, she focused on the feel of his hand on her back. The heat there, it seeped into her, but also a slight tingle, like when someone that was in tune with Reiki touched you.
“Better, but we’ll have to work on that authority, along with your magic.” His fingers moved up her spine. “So much of it living inside you. The Sithen stone wasn’t the only beacon I followed to get here. Your magic also drew me. I can taste it against my tongue, the static and thrum of it. If you were anyone else, I would find a way to harness it for myself.”
“That something you would normally do?” she asked, trying like hell to not arch as his fingers traveled. “Steal magic?”
“If the one who possessed it didn’t deserve it,” he said simply. “Not everyone who is born with magic deserves to wield it. And in those instances, I consider myself judge, jury, and executioner.” His fingers reached her neck and he cupped his hand against the slender column of her throat.
She swallowed and then licked her lips, the little tingles more apparent now against her naked skin. “I can appreciate that, though I understand that’s how the males of Light Court felt about us, the females, and tried to breed it out of us. Almost succeeded in most instances,” she offered. “Though Air Court has been losing magic steadily until I was named princess. Then, it just evened out.” And they didn’t know why either. She stepped into him, and as much as it was unconscious, the need to be closer to him engulfed her. Searching his face, the harshness there, it was enigmatic, his eyes dark, and the way he looked at her made her feel wanted. Which was extremely new to her.
“The difference between them and me is that I am a god, they are mere fae. The authority to do so is mine.” He tugged her hair out of the bun she’d put it in and ran his fingers through the now loose strands. “Though sometimes things need to be at their worst, depleted to the point of being on the verge of no return, before we can rebuild them to what they need to be.”
“You think that’s where Light Court is now?” she asked as she closed her eyes, leaning her head. She liked that he took it as his due to be familiar with her. “I know Air Court needs a renaissance.”
“I think you are already making the way out of rock bottom. I heard about your new queen and king as I traveled. Once they came into power, the Light Court started to rebuild, but it started before that with those of your kind who rebelled against what they were told. You’re now part of that rebellion.” He turned so he was facing her, pressing her against him, using his hand to keep her head tipped back to look at him. “You are their renaissance, cualtzin. It all starts with you. And unlike the other courts, you don’t have to wait to work on honing your magic. With me here, it will become a second skin.”
That word again. It bubbled in her mind and then popped this time, and she was overly aware of how close they were, the body she was up against hard, unyielding. She was sure he wasn’t meaning to be seducing her, and any normal man, this wouldn’t be, but he called to her, slid into her core and rolled in what was waiting there, groggy from sleep. “What does that word mean?” she asked softly, trying not to press closer to him. It was heady, potent, and she was becoming high on him, and quickly.
“Beautiful,” he told her. “In my native tongue. Does it bother you to be called that?”
“No. I...” She blushed. He called her beautiful. “Just never heard it before. The word, in my mind it does weird things. First time it sat there and fizzled like fireworks, the second, it popped like a bubble.” Her words were breathless, and she couldn’t stop herself from leaning against him more.
“My native tongue is magic.” His free hand moved to lay against her hip. “And our magic is starting to feel each other out, I guess you can say. Mine recognizes yours as something it wants to rub against, entwine with. Part of it wants to corrupt and delight.”
Gods, why did that sound perfect? A slight shiver ran through her and she opened her eyes to look at him. “That sounds intriguing.” Her smile was lazy and she bit her bottom lip for moments. “And possibly dangerous.”
“It’s both. That’s what makes the end results worth it.” His hand on her hip squeezed. “So, tell me, what does a princess with little magic do with her days?”
“My family owns Echo Satellite Radio, and I’m head of programming,” she offered. “Other than that, I study with the Anointed and hang out with my friend Candiria.” Which was so new, not even a year, but she felt like they had known each other forever. “Her court is home to the Ardomats, so the council of thirteen is pleased with our friendship. Not that it would matter, Ria is my sister in the darkness.”
“You are bound through magic then. The Anointed and the Ardomats were once one but split into two to protect and nurture both the Light and Dark Courts. They are a product of my parents, Ōmeteōtl. Who also happen to be one god and split into two.” His thumb started to stroke against her hip. “This Ria of yours, she would have been your sister of magic if the split never occurred, so Faerie is bringing back the two halves once again.”
She smiled for a moment, liking the fact that Ria was meant to be in her life, that it wasn’t just chance that they were so close, so fast, then closed her eyes again as the zing went through her. Seduction in every touch, though his words held such valuable information. “She stood with me when we laid the stone.”
“The four corners,” he said. “Back to you, cualtzin. I want to hear about you. About the one who picked the one stone to bring me back. The only one who would be able to.”
“Not much to tell, I’m afraid.” She smiled and took his hand. “We can explore while I tell you few lines that sum up my life till now.”
Passing through the doorway to the left, they entered into a long hallway, wood and black rock, grey floors, and doors on either side. At the end of the hall, double doors. “So, let’s see. I’m the eldest of four, though only myself and the twins are alive. Mother and our little sister, Bettany, died in childbirth when I was seven and the twins were three.”
She opened the first door and found a bedroom, the bed swathed in black and silver. “Daddy is the CEO of the radio station, and I guess I’ll be taking that over at some point in the future.” She turned to him as they walked out of the room. “I’m the youngest of all the princesses, though our queen, Senara, is younger even than me. I don’t date, I like music, and up until now, I have lived alone with Baxter.”
“You’re young yet, so you haven’t lived enough to have more than a few lines to sum your life. That just means there is plenty for you to experience and for me to be able to watch you as you do.”
“And that’s something you prefer, watching?” she asked as they opened the next door. Another bedroom. The next was a closet, and the next another bedroom, though larger than the other two.
“Depending on the situation,” he said, paying more attention to her than the house. “Some things people need to experience on their own.”
“I suppose that’s true,” she offered as she made it to the double doors and opened them, knowing immediately it was her room.
Massive bed swathed in black, on a riser, the wall behind it three windows, and the walls on either side black. There were plants in pots around the room, a few hanging from the sloped ceiling, the leaves hanging down. And in front of the bed? A smaller bed, just for Baxter.
To the left, a hanging bubble chair, and beyond it, a comfortable looking couch and sitting area. To the right? A door. “Gotta be my bathroom!” she said and almost squealed. Both Theo and Eira had sexy as hell bedrooms and bathrooms and it seemed Riddle’s would be no different. Opening the door, she grinned.
Black stone floors opened to a large wet room-style shower, and a huge black bathtub that could easily fit two adults. Double sinks, a water closet off to the right, and another door which opened into a massive walk-in dressing room. The far wall was craggy rock, the wet room shower area a black oil-slicked chunky tile, almost like obsidian glass. She turned to Tez, who was standing in the doorway. “It’s fucking perfect.”
“Do females always get so excited about bathrooms?” he said with a slight chuckle.
“I don’t know about most females but I always wanted something like this. Something decadent, a big tub I could swim in, though I think the house knows something about me I don’t.”
“You could always ask him, or her.” He stepped into the bathroom and looked around, though he didn’t look all that impressed. “I’m sure they would like to introduce themselves to the woman who woke them.”
She was about to answer him when a tall, gaunt man walked in, black pants, silver shirt, a black vest shot through with blue as he moved. He had a devil may care haircut, the front longer than the back, fringed and falling over one eye. Pale as moonlight, he wore a large black and blue swirled ring on his right hand, and on the lapel of his vest.
“Welcome, Princess. My name is Loomis, and it is a pleasure to meet you. Is there something you need?”
“Loomis?” she said. “You...you are my Sithen? Speak of the devil.”
“Yes, and thank you for choosing me.” He looked to Tez. “Sire. An honor.”
“Loomis,” Tez said. “Welcome back to the land of living.”
The Sithen avatar bowed. “I hope to be of service, Princess.”
Watching the physical embodiment of her house, she plastered a smile on her face. “I’m sure you will. Can you tell me, why so much glass here?”
Loomis gave her a wry smile. “The Sithen has manifested from your own needs, Princess. This is one of three buildings on the island that make up your Sithen. The glass. Well...” He smiled anew. “I’m sure you will figure out your own psyche soon enough. Would you like to see the rest of the house?”
She arched a brow. “Three buildings?”
He nodded. “The treehouse and the ballroom,” he said.
“Ballroom?”
Again, he nodded. “Come.” He led them back down the hall and into the main living area, taking the door to the right this time. “Kitchens are here, as well as the morning room,” he said and led them into the kitchen proper. Gleaming with stainless steel and chrome fixtures, it looked like a regular kitchen, though all the accents were in matte black.
“You said kitchens, plural.”
“I did. Your spell kitchen is through there.”
“Spell kitchen?” She grabbed Tez’s hand and pulled him through another door, into the grandest workspace she had ever seen. Modernized, it was a spell worker’s dream. Two ranges, one with four burners set in an island with a butcher’s block workspace, the other on the ground, in a recessed pit. “Holy shit. I could put a cauldron in here.”
“A cauldron?” Tez said with a laugh. “Are those actually still being used? Soon, you won’t need any of this to perform your magic. But I believe steps will be necessary and helpful to hone it all.” He turned to Loomis. “Speaking of magic. I hope you didn’t mind my fingerprint in your stone. It was necessary.”
The avatar bowed. “It is an honor, sire. A true honor. Few have the chance to be of use to the old gods, I am only too happy to be of service.”
“Willomena and the rest have outdoor cauldrons for certain spell work,” she said offhandedly. “Loomis, is there a root cellar?”
“Of course, miss, to the right.” He motioned to the doors there. Opening the door to the left, as he didn’t say anything about it, she blinked as she noticed stairs going down. “What’s this?”
“The ballroom, Princess.”
“Where the fuck is it?” she murmured, and heard the soft ping of water. “Loomis?”
“I think you and Tez should see for yourself.”
Turning back to her god, she looked to him. “Wanna explore?”
“Dragging me into the pits already?” he said with a slight raise of his brow. “I suppose if you’re leading, I’ll gladly follow.”
“Adventure,” she said with a grin, enjoying his slight teasing. Walking down the metal spiral staircase, they walked into a half moon room, with a tunnel leading away. The room itself was created of the same black stone with the blue veins running through it, though the hallway beyond was glowing with enough of the veins that it didn’t need light. “Woah, cool,” she said and grabbed his hand again as they walked through.
Toward a large, what looked like iron door, with the same runes carved into it. “Wonder why this is called a ballroom,” she mused as the gained the door. She pushed it open to reveal a cavernous room, the walls created of iron and glass, the floor black wood, and in the center, a stone circle. She blinked. “What the hell?”
Tez let go of her hand and walked closer to the stone circle, crouching down to run the tips of his fingers over it. “Not sure why this would be considered a ballroom. Seems more like at sanctorum to me. Though I suppose some witches do dance while they’re conjuring. Never understood the practice myself.”
“A ballroom is where you dress in massive dresses and dance. Conjuring is skyclad.” She grinned. “This feels like...” She walked into the room proper and closed her eyes, feeling the heartbeat again, a thump thump that vibrated through her. “Wow. Now this feels like I always thought magic would feel like.”
“That’s because it is magic.” With her eyes still closed, she didn’t see him get up, but felt his hand wrap around her wrist, drawing her hand up to rest against his chest. “Though, this is what magic really feels like. What you feel in this room is just the essence of it.”
Opening her eyes, she gave him a smile, her gaze on his own. “Fortuitous that you understand your own worth.” She stepped up to mirror him. “This room, it’s special. I just don’t understand why here.”
“For magic,” Loomis said from behind them. He hit a switch and several lights illuminated the space, revealing that they were under water. “Sire, with your power set and all, this felt like the right place for you and the princess to work.”
“It will be, Loomis,” Tez said. “With the water surrounding us, it will be able to keep in any magic my princess accidently lets out while she’s learning her magic.” He winked at her. “Also, have you met a god yet who doesn’t know his own worth? We’re a very arrogant bunch, comes with being the original creators.”
“Considering I don’t actually know any of the gods personally, and they are usually on their best behavior when I do see them...” she offered and then looked to Loomis. “Thank you, Loomis. This space is well thought of. But I have to know, why call it a ballroom?” she asked but then knew.
There was an estate in England where back in the day they had the exact same style of room, under the water, though this one was more watertight. They called it a ballroom.
With a smile, she nodded to him. “Never mind.”
“Of course, Princess. Can I get either of you anything?”
She shook her head. “No, but thank you. I think I want to do a bit more exploring, that is if you are interested?” she said to Tez.
“Nareau has never been on his best behavior in his entire existence,” Tez said before releasing his fingers around her wrist. “I’m interested in anything you’d like to do.”
“I’m sure Theo would agree with you on that. But he’s ever been a gentleman around me,” she said as they left the ballroom back the way they came, and into the house proper. “As to what to do, I don’t know.” They made it into the main room once again, watching as the sun dazzled through the trees, the light fracturing into little bursts that shone through the wall of glass.
“You do know, you saying Nareau and gentleman in the same sentence makes me believe you never really met the man,” he teased. “You mentioned exploring. Feel like opening cabinets and riffling through drawers? I hear medicine cabinets are always revealing. We can see what Loomis really thinks about your needs.”
“I heard that the Sithens basically transport all your stuff to them, or so Eira told me. Said she woke up to her cobra slithering about the Sithen and all her clothes in the closets.”
“So, what you’re saying is if I go through your medicine cabinet then I’ll learn more about you? I am quite interested to know more than just what’s on the surface,” he told her.
She gave him a wry smile. “If you want to, though I think the medicine cabinet has Tiger Balm and aspirin in it. But hey, have at it.” Turning to the other large glass wall, she spied what looked like another building. “Loomis.”
The avatar walked in. “Yes, Princess?”
“The other building?” She pointed.
“Your treehouse, as I mentioned before.”
Arching a brow, she looked to him. “Treehouse?” She thought he was joking.
He nodded. “Though it isn’t ready for guests yet.”
“And when it is?”
“I will let you know. Will you be staying tonight?”
“Yes, I guess so. That is if Tez wants company here.”
“It’s your home, Princess,” he said as he stared at her, arms crossing over his chest. “I think you mean, yes because it’s my home and I live here. None of this guessing and if shit.”
She shrugged. “Well then, yes, I am staying because this is my home and I live here.”
Loomis chuckled. “I will have your things brought here by tomorrow.”
“Thank you.” Looking to Tez, she offered her hand. “You said you wanna talk. So, let’s sit and talk. Loomis? Some wine?”
“Right away, Princess.”
The house left her and Tez standing there. “Come. Sit.”
He followed her over to the couch and sat down next to her. “Pretty soon, you’re going to be all assertive and you won’t even realize the change.” He lifted his hand to brush his finger over her cheek. “Even on the simplest level, conviction is what helps us gain our power. If you aren’t sure of who you are and what you want, the magic you hold inside will control you, not the other way around.”
That was an interesting way to look at it, though she supposed he was right. Willomena and Sheridan were both in command of their magic, as well as the others in the council. Granted, they all had a rein on their magic now, but she knew that Sheridan had been unsure about hers when she had been young.
“I know it’s coming, the rest of the anointed all have a presence about them, even with their minuscule amount of magics they have been able to keep hold of. My hope is that we can give them back magic, to let them live to their full potential.”
“It flows through you,” he said. “You’re the conduit, Riddle. You being chosen as a princess of the Light Court was destined. Faerie knows you’re the only one who could bring the magic back to your people, the only one who would pick the Sithen stone that would lead me to you. Do you remember what that room looked like? All of the stones, the choices you had? No other god can help you give your people what should never have been taken from them in the first place. While others were looking for their Hands of Power, you were looking for more than that. You are more than that.”
Power was never important to her, not personally, but knowing her sect, the one her father was born into, the one that had so much history was diminished because of the choices long ago, she wanted to help make it right. “I just want our house, and those in Air Court, to thrive,” she said with sincerity. “However that happens, I’m game to be part of it. Though I am glad you’re not an asshole. Would have put a damper on the whole situation.”
He laughed. “Ah, but you don’t know me well enough to make that assessment yet. I am, most definitely, an asshole, but never to you. I won’t treat you with kid gloves or let you off gently but I can honestly say, you’re already far too important to me to treat you unkindly or use you for my advantage. You were born for me to find, cualtzin.”
“That’s nice to hear,” she said with a small smile. Being important to someone was important to her. She was looking for the kind of love her parents shared before her mother was taken from them. Even a semblance if it would do, though she wasn’t even sure Tez could love. Not that it mattered just now. They had a lifetime to get it right. “So, what do you want to know about me? I mean past the boring stuff, though I am pretty boring.”
Baxter chose that moment to waddle his bulk into the sunken living room area and made his way to her. She leaned down, picking him up to settle him next to her on the couch.
“There is no such thing as boring stuff,” he said. “You’ve only given me the surface answers so far. What is it you think I should know about you?”
Frowning, she considered him. “Well, you know what I do, and you know this jerk is my familiar.” She grinned. “I’m really into reptiles. Not snakes, just lizards, turtles... I like sweets, a lot. And I like black, a lot. What else...”
“I’m assuming with your career, you like music a lot,” he said with a smile. “While I am quite familiar with what’s been going on with the world since I left, entertainment isn’t something I worried about knowing. I’m thinking I made an error on that. You’re going to have to introduce me to what people enjoy these days.”
“That I can do. Music, movies, video games...I know it all. You will need to be ready for the music fest we have coming up.”
“Think I’ll pass on the video games. I’ve seen what they are and cannot fathom why anyone would waste their time on such things. Now, exactly how does one get ready for a music fest?”
“Plenty,” she said with a grin. “Though you do have that disaffected air about you, so you’re ahead of the game.”
“A disaffected air?” he said with a raised brow. “Can’t say anyone has ever said that about me, though I suppose they should have.”
She laughed. “You don’t have a starstruck look about you, which works. Music people seem to be more disaffected and all, doesn’t mean you are, just means you aren’t in awe of the assholes playing the music.”
“I’m used to people being in awe of me, not the other way around. Musicians play a musical instrument, their worshipers do shit for them in the long run other than line their pockets. Mine?” His grin was slow and a little wicked. “Mine feed my power.”
“Spoken like a bad ass.” She grinned. “Though I have heard of god power being collected with musicians, I’m pretty sure Lucifer is a manager of a few bands for that reason.”
He snorted. “Lucifer collects souls, he’s never been all that picky. Politicians, musicians, actors, pretty much those who lie for a living are the easiest to trick into giving away their soul. Plus, I don’t care what he says, he’s not a damn god. Hell, none of us are really sure what he is.”
She shrugged. “If you ask Willomena, he’s an amalgam of beliefs coalesced into being and fed through belief and candor, the antithesis of what is considered good and right. I’m sure if you ask his daughter she will just say he’s a meddling lunatic who likes weird socks.”
“Last time I saw Eliora, she was hatching,” he said. “Though, I think her description is more accurate.” He stretched his arm along the back of the couch and turned slightly to face her. “Tell me, how is your search for your guard going? Any prospects?”
She laughed. “None. None at all.” Leaning to her side, she pulled her feet up as two glasses and a bottle of wine appeared on the ledge behind them. “I’m not exactly in demand. Well, no, that’s not true. I was for a while there, but Daddy knew why they were interested and nipped that shit in the bud.”
“Is it that you’re not in demand or that you have spent most of your life working and not actually living life? It also means you just haven’t found the right men. You’re a Light Court princess, you have a choice. It’s something the Nightmare women don’t have.”
“Maybe both? Growing up, I went to school with Theo and Chess, and the others. I was popular in the fact that I got along with everyone, up until my second year of high school. Then that’s when the Light Court males noticed me, or rather, their fathers noticed I was the heiress to Echo Radio. Then I had plenty of interest, but none of them wanted me, just the company. Daddy saw it, and made sure I was not on the market as it were.
“So, after that, college, I had a boyfriend, human mind you, but it never went anywhere. After that, since Daddy wouldn’t marry me off, the fae males kinda just weren’t interested. Now,” she shrugged. “I don’t know. I don’t meet many men that aren’t either already attached or too young or too old.”
“Exactly what is too old?” he asked, his brows bunched together. “I’m pretty certain there aren’t many who are older than me out there. Are you telling me you don’t find me attractive, Riddle? This might be a first for me.”
She laughed. “You don’t look your age. I mean men whose balls have more hair than their head, that are wrinkly and gross and have bad breath. You are none of those things. As to finding you attractive? Anyone who says you aren’t is lying.”
“No one ever has.” He grinned. “The only problem you’ll have now finding a guard is that I showed up first. Imagine having to compete with a god. All the other princesses already had their guard lined up and fully caught before their god showed up, right?. Though, when they do come and stay, it will tell you a lot about them.”
“I suppose you are right there. Though normally that’s the way of it. Always did do things differently,” she said and poured the glasses and then handed him one. “Not sure what’s going to happen but...” She shrugged. “With these games and all, who knows.”
“Games?” he asked then smiled. “You don’t mean the Stellar Games, do you? I suppose that makes sense, with the two main courts of Faerie coming together again. When do they start?”
“Soon? I mean they don’t know, I was told we would be told, though if I’m honest, I’m worried about Air Court’s chances.”
“You shouldn’t be. Plus, the beauty of the Stellar Games is it isn’t about winning, it’s about coming together as a society. While those practices are not exactly my cup of tea, I can see how it works in certain situations. Bringing the people of Faerie together, no matter their title, to get to participate together, it can only benefit your court. The royals of the Light Court are still in their infancy phase. This will help you expand your court and your presence with it.”
“I hope so because we are sorely lacking, I think. Air Court is largely Echo, Perla, Zephyr, and the Anointed. Both Perla and Zephyr’s members have no magic, and came under our banner for protection. I know it’s about togetherness, but I would like to make a good showing, you know? Literally aside from myself, you, possibly my father and Willomena and Sheridan, we have no one. I don’t think we would qualify, you know?” She took a sip of her wine. “Of course, I don’t have one fucking clue what the games actually are so I could just be talking out of my ass.”
“You’re talking out of your ass,” he said with a laugh. “You do know, it’s not the size of your court that matters, it’s what you do with it.”
“I’m pretty sure that saying is for something else.” She took another sip and smiled into her cup.
“That saying applies to ninety percent of everything.” He looked down at his own glass and swirled the liquid around but didn’t drink. “How about we move this into the dining room and have Loomis whip us up something. Two weeks of traveling to get here, I’m famished.”
“Two weeks? Someone was relentless.” She smiled. “Loomis? Can you make us something to eat?” she called out as she stood, Baxter lifting his head from the pillow he was snoozing on.
“It was worth every second of the journey,” Tez said to her as he escorted her to the dining room where they spent the next hour eating and talking.
Chapter
Morning came swiftly, with Riddle pretty sure she had only fallen asleep moments before. Still, she was refreshed, but keyed up from the magic that was there, and had yet to settle. Stretching, she yawned, her arm finding purchase on a warm body, and smiled to herself. Tez.
They had had a filling supper of steaks, vegetables, and corn cakes that Tez had been in love with, claiming them from his past. She liked them well enough, they were slightly sweet and anything sweet was good with her.
After that it was sitting outside on the back deck, talking, and getting more comfortable with each other, so comfortable that when she had gone to bed, he followed. Nothing had happened past a goodnight kiss, their first, and she wasn’t sure if she understood it either. She wasn’t hypersexual like Theo, or even Eira, so she was trying to feel her way around everything with this man, god, whatever.
But the kiss was...heady. Spinny and grounding, it was laced with power, and promise. Promise that didn’t come to fruition. At least not yet.
That he didn’t try to bone her was slightly disconcerting, but also, he wasn’t ruled by his dick either. Magic, this man cared for magic over it all, and that wasn’t something that bothered her. At this point she felt close to him, something that didn’t happen normally, and not since she and Candiria had found each other.
“Morning,” she said softly as her eyes adjusted to the brightness in the room. “Ah, that’s bright. We are going to need to invest in those shades, I love the design but all this glass is going to make mornings unbearable.”
Right when the words left her mouth, the glass started to tint until the brightness of the morning dimmed. Turning on his side, Tez grinned at her. “Putting shades on the windows would take away the view. I happen to like all the views in this room.” His grin grew a little brighter. “Luckily, I happen to know a spell for most things. And when it comes to your Sithen, it’s easy to control since it’s part me.” He brushed a strand of her hair off her cheek. “Did you sleep well?”
“Rather. This bed is great. I’m not tired but there’s a groggy involved. I assume it’s the magic here but...” She shrugged and looked down at his shirtless chest. Gods be praised, he was a finely made man. “And I happen to like the view as well. Thanks for the shades.”
“Any time. So, what is it you tend to do during the day? Don’t feel you need to entertain me. Though, I will take as much time with you as you’ll allow.”
“Normally I have hot cocoa and sit on my balcony at my apartment, with Baxter,” she said. “So, I guess I could do that here.” With a laugh, she shook her head. “You know, my morning chocolate is the Mexican chocolate, I like a little kick in the morning. Can I tempt you?”
“Only if you promise to add marshmallows.” Instead of getting out of bed, he snaked his arm around her waist and pulled her against him. “Thank you for sharing your bed with me, cualtzin. I can’t remember the last time I slept so well, and it wasn’t because of the bed.” His eyes moved down to her lips before he leaned in to brush his against hers.
For this, she would share the bed with him forever. Her eyes closed and she melted into the kiss, her body fitting close to his. She sighed, the action parting her lips just enough, her tongue sliding softly along his own.
His lips were firm against hers but he kept the pace slow, painfully slow, like he had all the time in the world. There was nothing rushed about the way he did anything, she had a feeling Tez took his time with everything in life, making sure he was perfect at it.
A slight whimper left her, the thought blooming possibilities in her mind. His hand gripped her side, possessive, but not demanding, it was perfect and her body thrummed. She could feel the magic between them, but more she could feel something deeper inside her stir. Need.
Much too soon, he pulled back. “I think you mentioned something about hot chocolate.” He nipped her bottom lip before he slid out of bed. “I wouldn’t want to upset the balance of your morning routine.”
“Asshole,” she said with a wry smile. “New house, new routine.” Looking down, she spied Baxter watching her from his pillow. “Perv,” she said to him and shimmied out of the bed. “I think Loomis has a different idea of how big this bed needs to be,” she said to herself as she walked into the bathroom to brush her teeth. Five minutes later she was done, and pulled her favorite black oversized cardigan on, as she found it over the back of the chair. Looking about, Tez was not in the room, and neither was Baxter. Padding down the hall, she found them both in a small room, comfy chairs, low table, and a beverage service in a matte black teapot and cups. Scents of chocolate and spice wafted on the air, and she walked forward, pouring herself a mug of the thick, sweet fluid and grabbed a croissant.
“I’m glad you slept well,” she said as she settled in the chair next to him, watching as Baxter climbed up into a hammock that was sitting by the glass.
“I’ve spent the last several weeks sleeping in jaguar form, this is definitely preferable,” he said as he took a sip from his mug. His legs were stretched out in front of him, feet bare, and all he wore was a pair of black pants. “You’ve found yourself a very peaceful place to settle. I’ve always wanted to live in the woods, surrounded by nature. There is peace here you can’t get anywhere else.”
“Oddly I didn’t pick this place. The Anointed did.” She took a sip and hummed. “Oh, Loomis, this is divine.” She purred. “But when I saw it, I knew it was a good place. Daddy bought all the lots around the lake, too. The hope is the court will settle here, too.”
“Settle or have a place to come stay?” he asked. “I would think having all the courts in one centralized area would be a bit of a hindrance.”
“I meant our court,” she smiled. “The other courts will have bungalows here as well, for time away from their own. Willomena said that once our Sithen finishes growing, we will have the largest pocket of Faerie to settle in, since creating a Sithen from the foundations gives a bit more mass to it? I don’t actually understand the mechanics of it, but the theory is that as soon as the Sithen is settled, it will encompass the lake and the surrounding area, for about sixteen acres. So, Daddy bought all of it.”
He nodded in understanding. “Seems to me Faerie is well aware just how large Air Court will become. What’s that saying I’ve heard on my travels? If you build it, they will come.”
“It is my dream, for Air Court to have the members, but more, for the Anointed to be able to have more Acolytes. At this point, I’m the last one.”
“Your children will carry it on, and your children’s children. Sometimes things need to go down to one before it can be rebuilt.”
“True. The Ardomats have found new Acolytes since the new queen gained power. I’m hopeful we will find more that have the natural ability. Maybe the games will help.” Tearing a piece of the pastry off, she popped it into her mouth and chewed. “So, you know, we talked about a lot last night but I didn’t get to ask, where was your slumber? Gogo found Cetus in Malta, Theo found Nareau on Sava’i, and I think Eira found Vasuki in India or Cambodia or something.”
“Tenochtitlan, it’s where my temple is located. Well, it’s now Mexico City. Unlike the other gods, I decided my sleep would be much more comfortable in my own temple.” He glanced over at her. “I also wasn’t asleep the entire time. My followers still worship me. Because of that, I was able to wake from my slumber and keep up with the changes in both the human realm and Faerie.”
“Well, that’s really handy,” she said softly. “I would have liked to quest for you. Never been there, never really been anywhere outside of Faerie travel.”
“It will be much more enjoyable for me to take you there. As I told you yesterday, you have far more important things to be doing than to be searching for me.”
“Which brings me to what I do all day.” She grinned. “I’m going to have to make a call to my father, letting him know you are here, and that I’m going to have to pull back on work at the job for a little while, until I get a rein on things. I’ma be honest, Tez, the magic is giving me an itch.”
“Don’t smother it,” he told her. “Magic can be uncomfortable, something that moves under your skin until you feel like you need to claw at it. Instead, let it consume you. Embrace it, learn it, become it, control it.”
“I don’t think I’m there yet. I feel it crawling on me, like Baxter when he was young. I don’t feel it inside yet, though earlier something twitched inside me so...” She shrugged and took another sip of her drink. “But I am eager. So maybe I make a few calls and then we can do some teaching? I do know beginner spells and such, you know, creating roses from rocks and bottling lightning, and turning water to flame.”
“Anytime you want to work on your magic, I will be there. First step is feeling it within you. I don’t think that will take you long. Go make your calls, I’ll be here.”
She nodded and smiled, then walked over to him and on impulse, kissed him sweetly on the lips. The action felt right, comforting. “Enjoy your drink.”
Walking out of the room, she made it back to her room, grabbed her phone and called her father, leaving him a message.
“Hey, Daddy, it’s me. I’m at the island, the Sithen is here, and well...so is my god. Tez. I’m not coming in today, just have Frieda run programs seven and nineteen for my two shows today. I’ll call you later. Love you.” She hung up and dialed Sheridan next.
“Bit early to hear from you. Everything okay?” her mentor said.
She told her about the Sithen, about Tez. The woman was quiet until she finished speaking, and then whistled.
“Well, you never do anything halfway, do you, kid? And of all gods to call... Tez is a master of magic. When can we meet him?”
“Soon, I think. I’m not going into work today, to be here with him, work on some things.”
Sheridan snorted. “Work on him is more like it.”
“No, I’m not sure he’s actually that interested in that. We slept together and he didn’t even touch me, though there was a wonderful kiss this morning.”
“Not every god works like Nareau,” she said. “Just give it time. Go. Do what you have to. I’ll alert the rest of the council. Willomena will want to meet him, and to see the grounds soon.”
“Of course. Just give me a few days.”
“You got it. Have fun.”
She hung up and then called the last person on her list she needed to call. Knowing Candiria was six hours ahead, she didn’t have one problem making the call.
“Hello?” she heard Barden’s voice on the other end.
“Hey, Barden, I’m not interrupting anything, am I?”
“What? Oh no, she’s just relaxing. Hold on.” She heard the phone handed over to her friend.
“What’s up, buttercup?” Ria said in her cheerful voice. “I’ve been decaying waiting for you to call. Last time I talked to you, you were heading to see your Sithen. I was starting to get worried that it ate you or something.” She started to make nom-nom noises before Riddle could hear Kol laughing in the background.
“I’m here now. It’s here and it’s amazing,” she said with excitement. “Three buildings, one underwater, and the grounds are... Ria, I can’t wait for you to see it. But that’s not the best part.”
“How is that not the best part?! You have your Sithen.” Ria squealed and she could picture her friend doing a little happy dance. “If that isn’t the best part you better spill, woman. I want to know everything! Also, you better send pictures, or it didn’t happen.”
“I’ll take pictures in a bit. I kinda forgot yesterday when I was wandering, it was a lot to process. But the best part is...my god is here.”
There was silence on the other end, longer than she’d ever heard Ria be quiet. “You wanna back that up there, sister?” Ria finally said. “How did you find your god? Was he in your Sithen? Did you magically make him appear? I need info, woman!”
“I didn’t do anything, actually. He spelled the stone I picked. Once it was laid, he knew where to come. He’s from Mexico. Tez, Tezcatlipoca,” she said slowly, sounding out his name. “God of magic and such. I think he’s a death god,” she mused.
Ria made a growling sound. “Hot damn, he’s like the original sorcerer. Like seriously, he’s big time, Riddle, even Auntie Argie knows about him without having to do her woo-woo. Barden!” Ria screamed without moving the phone away. “Riddle found her god!”
“Are they coming over for cake?” she heard Barden scream, farther away.
“I think she’s got all the cake she needs where she is,” Ria said with a giggle. “So, don’t hold back. Tell me! Is he all dark and sexy and forbidden? Have you taken a bite out of him yet? Inquiring minds wanna know.”
“Um...he’s beautiful, he’s dark and sexy and beautiful and hasn’t touched me aside from a kiss,” she said with a chuckle. “Though it was a lovely kiss. Theo Amorenta I am not.”
Ria snorted. “Not all gods think with their dicks. I think it’s sweet he’s only kissed you, it means he respects you and wants to get to know you. It’s romantic.” She sighed. “Plus, he’s going to get inside you in other ways. Your magic will intertwine.” She sighed again. “You need to bring him over because I need to make sure he’s good enough for you. If not, I’ll sick Niko on him.”
“Two self-assured cranky assholes in one place. The world might end.” She giggled then sighed. “I’m not worried, or even disappointed, I just...I don’t know, expected it different? It’s not bad, not in the least, just different than I expected,” she offered. “I’m not going to work today, so we can spend a little time together. He wants to work on magic with me, so...” she trailed off. “That’s what I’m going to do. If it gets awkward, I will bring him over,” she whispered.
“Don’t I always tell you not to expect things? It’s so much better to just let things happen. So, this Tez dude is a cranky asshole? I might have to march over there and smack him upside the head. He needs to be sweet and wonderful, not cranky.”
“He’s cranky like Niko is cranky,” she laughed. “Very much got the ego, but considering who he is, much like Niko.”
“I’m so sorry,” Ria said with sincerity. “Add that to him being a god... Yup, I’m going to have to smack him.”
“You pregnant is frightening, Ria.” She laughed. “Vicious and blood thirsty.”
Ria chuckled. “I’m feeling even more maternal than after Kol was born. The world better watch out!”
“You do have several beings inside you right now,” she mused. “So, I’ll call you later? I know we had a movie planned but...”
“You better call me later. Go explore your Sithen and your god. But don’t forget to send me pictures!”
“Will do. Be good. Eat double cake for me.” She hung up and turned to see Tez in the doorway. “Hey...”
“Didn’t mean to interrupt,” he said, leaning against the door jamb. “Thought I should probably dress for the day. Loomis said he’s put my clothes in here until we decide where I’ll be staying.”
“No interrupting, I was done. All calls finished.” She walked forward. “As to where you will be staying...I will leave that up to you. I know you say I need to be assertive and all,” she smiled, “but I want you, and anyone that comes to our court, comfortable in your surroundings. It’s a choice I won’t make for others, so it is your decision.”
“Shouldn’t you have a say in what makes you comfortable?” he asked as he walked in the room. “While I’m not used to taking other’s feeling into consideration when I make decisions, for you I plan to.”
“If I didn’t want you here, Tez, then I would tell you. One thing I have always been is aware of my comfort, especially with men. You never once threw off my creeper meter, and sleeping with you was nice. So, if you choose to stay here with me, ultimately, I want it to be your decision, but I wouldn’t throw you outta bed for eating crackers.” She winked and walked past him into the bathroom. The room itself had added a door, and she knew it was Tez’s closet.
“How about, for now,” he said, following her into the bathroom, “I stay here and when you find your guard, we’ll reassess.”
She turned to him. “Will any of that be a problem?” she asked, confused. She knew that Gogo shared her bed with Cetus mostly, though now that she was pregnant, Quade, when he slept, stayed with her as well.
“Will who you decide to share your bed with be a problem? No, cualtzin, that will never be an issue with me.” He stepped up to her and brushed the back of his fingers against her cheek before heading into the closet.
Frowning, she shook her head. “I mean, would you want to continue sharing a bed with me if others did, too?” Turning and walking into her own closet, she rummaged through the drawers, finding her clothing from her apartment, and slipped on a pair of yoga pants, lace loungewear bra and a black tank top. She looked around a bit before she found her black Mary Jane slippers and sat to slip them on.
“That won’t be an issue either. I have a feeling it won’t be for any man who you decide is worth to be with you.”
“Well let’s hope you are right then.” She walked back out of her closet and smiled at him. “So? Let’s see if I can do some magic.”
4
––––––––
Two days later Riddle was settled into a routine with Tez and back at work. Her god had been refining her magical use, showing her how to do simple spells without the words, or the prep, freeing the incantations. It was working well enough, and she had already gotten a hold of the few basic spells that had less to do with prep and more to do with intention.
Two days of hanging out at the Sithen, alone but for Loomis and Baxter, who had taken a shine to Tez in his puma form as she had found them dozing together in the sunshine when she had popped out to make it to her sister’s greenhouse, to grab the cuttings of the herbs she was going to need for her spell kitchen.
Rue, Duke, her father, Sheridan and the rest of the Anointed were all eager to meet him, and she was eager to show him off. She told them they would get their chance in another day, giving her a little more time to feel the most at ease in the space she had created, and with Tez.
Since coming back to work, she had spent the majority of the time doing research on her god, as she had the opportunity to. Living with him and seeing unbiased facts were two different things. She had learned that magic was his first love, his only love really. He was magic incarnate, neither good nor evil, but skirting the line of both, a true grey practitioner in the eyes of the Anointed.
It also explained why he had yet to touch her aside from some stolen kisses. Realizing it wasn’t her, that it wasn’t because she wasn’t right...it helped. Tez, much like his kisses, moved in his own time on things, especially if it was important to him.
“Hey, Rids...”
Looking up from her computer, she smiled at Frieda. “I was looking for you earlier.”
“I’m taking the night shift for a while. Grover’s got the day shift at work so we get to spend the evenings together.”
Looking down at her phone, she realized it just after eight. “Holy crap, it’s eight?!”
Frieda nodded. “Time flies when you are having fun. How’s things? I know the festival is rolling right along, seriously excited for it.”
“Me, too. Dad has been getting a lot of inquiry from news outlets so I’m hoping it will help long-term.”
“Well, all the vendor spots are filled, right?” She nodded. “Then they would be stupid to not cover the event.”
“True.”
“Well, I’m on in fifteen. I’ll see ya.”
“Of course, and thanks for covering.”
“When the princess needs help, we all step up.” She winked and walked out.
News of the Sithen had spread around the burgeoning Air Court, both Perla and Zephyr excited to be involved. Sheridan had told her that the Anointed and her father both had been approached by three other families, especially when word got out that Riddle’s god was already in residence. She had told them that she would see everyone, and soon, excited for the possibility that Air would become larger.
Closing the program she was using, her phone rang. “Riddle.”
“Hello, Princess,” she heard Faust’s voice on the other end of the phone. “I’m not disturbing you, am I?”
Looking at the list of things to do at her elbow, she smiled. “Nope. Just working. What can I do for you, Lord Faust?”
“Lord...that makes me feel so dirty...”
“You started it with the princess bullshit.”
“Well, I didn’t call to shoot the shit, this is all official.”
The smile she had turned wry. “Oh yeah?”
“I’m calling to inform you that the first game will start in thirty-six hours,” he said, all formal.
“That soon?” she asked quietly, and swallowed.
“Apparently.”
“And the species?” she asked, worry in the pit of her stomach.
“Demons,” he said. “I’m sending you the coordinates to the game board. We will see you in thirty-six hours.”
“Yeah...I guess so.” She heard him hang up and sighed, shaking her head. Demons. The one thing Air Court had not one of, and no real prospects of. Not even with these possible families. Unless she counted Tez, but he was a god, not a demon. They were going to suck eggs at this, if they could compete at all. Turning to grab her work notebook, the phone started ringing and she hit the button. God, she hoped this wasn’t more bad news. “Riddle.”
“Ridley,” Sheridan said. “Everything okay? I got this feeling of despair...”
Being mentored by an empath that was so in tune with you really was creepy. “Faust called. First task is demons.”
“Ah. That explains it. What are you going to do?”
“I don’t have one fucking clue,” she said on a sigh. “I don’t even know any demons personally. Do you? Are there any that are affiliated with our court?”
“No to both questions,” her mentor said. “Demons, even back in the day when the courts were still one entity, didn’t slum it with our people. We were too earthy. Personally, I think we were just too powerful.”
“Yet Grave Court, our counterpart, is filled with them.”
“Well, there is an idea. Why not call Candiria?”
Why not indeed. “Yeah, that’s my next stop.” After talking to Tez, of course.
“Let me know,” her mentor said. “How are things with tall, dark and sexy?”
She grinned. “Tez is fine. I’m going to run this by him as well.”
“As you should. He is your god after all.” Sheridan hung up.
Aside from Ria, the only other person she knew she needed to check in with was Theo. They hadn’t talked much in the past few weeks, both being super busy with their respective jobs, though Amorenta had bid to be part of the festival, and got a major sponsor spot. She had yet to thank her friend, but in her own defense, things had been happening. Texting Theo, she grinned.
Haven’t talked to you in ages, you straight? So, demons. I’m sure you have a good one set up.
Seconds later, Theo texted back.
Just got the call from Faust. I need to think on this. You good? Ready for it? And the fest?
I think so, after some finagling. As to the fest, super excited to work with you.
Good. Heard through the grapevine a certain god came to play. Why didn’t you tell me?
She laughed and shook her head. Because there isn’t anything to tell aside from the fact that he’s here. Once there’s news worthy of dishing, you know I’ll send it over.
I assume we will meet him on site?
Oh yeah. I can’t wait to show him off.
Sexy?
She grinned. Dark, sexy and powerful.
Ah. The best trifecta. Well, tell him Nareau is looking forward to seeing him.
Typing back quickly, she smirked. That from you or from the cranky spider?
Both? I’m sure he will be excited to see him. Who is it anyway?
Tell him it’s Tez. Lates.
Calling the number to the phone she had gotten Tez, she waited till he answered.
“I think when you have more of a handle on your powers, we need to work on you accessing me with your mind. These portable devices are a damn nuisance,” Tez said in greeting.
Chuckling, she smiled. “Will everyone be able to get a hold of you via telepathy?” she shot back, leaning forward in her chair. “Because if not, you gotta deal with the cell.”
“I can think of no one I would want to get a hold of me other than you.”
“My guard, eventually?” she said with a wry smile.
“They can call each other if they need to talk. Now, why is it you’re making me use this contraption now?”
“Faust called. First game is demons,” she said, cutting out any more chit chat.
“Demons? Not exactly a welcoming first trial, considering Light Court doesn’t have demons. Guess she’s hoping you guys know how to share.”
“Eh. Theo has demons under Fever now, since she opened Fever to anyone working for Amorenta. Ice, I’m not sure but,” she grinned, “hundred bucks says Addie will choose her piece of ass Aldal. Senara has a demon guard, Franco.”
“Senara started as Nightmare, so I’m not surprised to hear about her demons. Though I am surprised to hear any of the demons entered a Light Court without it being because of an attachment to the princess. Very unusual, but also shows how far the courts have come.”
“Theo’s business had a decent amount of displaced demons because of the nature of her work,” she offered. “So many of them joined on, considering Fever was literally starting from the ground up.”
“How long do you have to find yourself a demon? It used to be as long as there is...” He paused as if to think of the right word. “I suppose you could say family ties but it goes a little deeper than that as it’s more than just being related. But you can use species from other courts as long as there is a connection.”
“That’s what Cosmo said, that since there’s already interconnections people can be loaned out.” She sighed. “Sheridan suggested I call Candiria.”
“I would assume the princess of the Grave Court has plenty of demons to spare. If I remember correctly, some of the demonarchies started at Grave.”
“Yes, and we are connected, you know, with the Anointed and the Ardomat.”
“Exactly. Shouldn’t you be calling her instead of making me speak into this tiny thing that doesn’t even come down to my mouth? Seriously, Riddle, why in the world are they so damn small?”
“You missed the years of landlines and massive brick phones, hun. Everything is convenience now. I’ll call her. Should be home in a bit. How’s Baxter?”
“He’s currently sunning himself. Should I have Loomis prepare you some dinner? I have a feeling you haven’t eaten yet.”
He was right, of course. She had a granola bar around three. “Only if you are eating with me.”
“I think that can be arranged. I’ll see you soon then,” he said.
“Soon,” she said and hung up, and then dialed Candiria.
“You’ve reach Ria, how can I make your day brighter?” her best friend said into the phone. “Well, technically it’s night for you and really, really early in the morning for me.” She giggled, though she was definitely bright-eyed and bushy-tailed. “Everything okay?”
“I take it you didn’t get the call about the game. One of those strapping men did?”
“Oh, that. Faust called but I totally forgot about it. I think he said demons or maybe it was lemurs.”
“Demons, you lunatic,” she said and sighed. “Fucking demons.”
“I’ve never actually fucked a demon, but my friends say it’s all the rage.” Riddle heard what sounded like an owl hooting in the background. “Wait, are you fucking a demon now, too?”
“I’m not fucking anyone. Like at all. Where the fuck are you anyway?” She sighed. “Ria, the game is species specific, demons, and Air Court doesn’t have an option for this. We. Are. Fucked.”
Ria blew out a raspberry. “I have plenty of demons, you can have one of mine. And I’m hanging out in the graveyard, the moon is so big tonight, I didn’t want to miss it. Now, would you prefer male or female?”
Figured she was in the graveyard. Probably with Carnex or Geddy or her father. “So now I’m putting my order in? I don’t know... I just know I don’t want Air Court to suck at this.”
“If you’re using one of Grave’s demons there is no chance at sucking. My demons are the best demons! Oh, Million! Come, sit.” Riddle heard male laughter before he started talking, he must have been right next to Ria, because she heard him clearly.
“Princess,” he said. “Not surprised to see you out here. Now why are you talking about us not sucking?”
“Riddle needs a demon for the Stellar Games ‘cause no demons in Air Court,” Ria said. “Oh, oh! You can be her demon! Riddle, Million can be your demon.”
“Isn’t he babysitting?” she said dryly. “I wouldn’t wanna take him away from that.”
“I mean, if you don’t want him, but that’d just mean you won’t have the best and Million is seriously the best,” Ria said.
“Are you trying to sell me off, Ria?” Million said.
“Only to the highest bidder,” she heard Ria say.
Chuckling, Riddle shook her head. “I’ll leave it up to you to decide who to loan out to me for this. Considering we don’t have one idea what the damn task is going to be.” She sighed. “I’m not saying no to Million, I’m just saying I don’t want to put anyone out.”
“Million,” Ria said, obviously no longer speaking to her, “would you helping out Air Court with the Stellar Game put you out?”
“Can’t think of one reason why it would,” she heard Million say. “I’m game.”
“There,” Ria said, “done and done. You have yourself a demon, Ms. Echo. Now stop being cranky and be happy! Oh, you should totally check out the moon tonight.”
“Oh, I’m on my way out to head back to the house, so I will check it out,” she said as she stood, grabbing her bag. “I guess I’ll see you in thirty-six hours then? Thank the demon for me, will ya?”
“Tell the dark god I said hi!” She made a kissy noise into the phone. “Love you, sister from another mister. See you soon!”
“Same to you, lunatic.” They hung up and she walked out of the building, actually not seeing one person on her way. It seemed that the problem at hand was solved and at least she knew the demon she would be working with. Winning wasn’t any idea close to the surface for her, but at least Air Court would not show their ass at this.
Grabbing her phone once more, she grinned as she texted Tez.
Crisis averted. I’m on the way. Let’s do some magic.
She slipped her phone back into her bag as she made it across the parking deck toward the car, and an evening with her god.
C6
––––––––
“Riddle? You have a visitor.”
“Thanks, Jill, send him right up.” She looked to the clock and arched a brow. Million was early. After a night working magic with Tez, she had come to work, intent on keeping busy with the festival prep that she needed to oversee. It was still a while out, but getting the small things out of the way early was best so when the larger fires started, she didn’t have to delay or miss anything.
Still, her day was preoccupied with the games coming, and she had spent several hours in text messages with the other Light Court princesses, each trying to guess what the damn task was going to be. Demons were specialized, and it would have to be something they would be able to handle uniquely.
None of them had any concrete ideas, though, so they were all wondering, and placing bets, thanks to Addie’s influence, on which demon the Nightmare princesses would use.
Now, Million was early, and she still had not gotten news from her court where the game was being held. Deciding to call Sheridan, she hit the button and decided on a video call.
“Hey, kid, just about to call you. We figured it out.”
“Great because Million is apparently here.”
Sheridan arched a brow. “Early. Well, that’s good. Because the three of you will need to leave soon.”
“You know where I’m going?”
She nodded. “And Tez confirmed via phone that there is a new portal in your portal garden. There is a plateau in one of the southern hemisphere continents in Faerie. That’s where it leads.”
“Interesting. Do we know anything about the area?”
“Aside from the fact that it’s a plateau in the middle of a bunch of mountains in Faerie? No.”
“Is the range at least named? The site named?”
Her mentor shook her head. “Not that we know of. If Faerie had been mapped in the past it’s long lost to most of us, especially in Light Court. You should speak to the other princesses, they might have some idea.”
She nodded. “I will ask Ria, considering her house has remained pretty much unchanged since the split. It would be good to know where we are going, and what we need to be ready for once we get there, you know? Faerie is beautiful and magical but there are also dangers there, dangers most are just learning about.”
“Exactly. But Tez would have said something, yes?”
“I hope so.” She sighed. “Will you be joining us?”
“Willomena said she, myself, and your father will be there to represent Air Court this time, as they aren’t sure how big the plateau is and bringing the entire council...”
“True. Okay. How are you getting there?”
“Portal. Be safe.” She hung up just as she looked up to see Million standing in the doorway. In the light of the office, and not the slight darkness of Grave Court, she could see him better. He seemed taller standing there, his jeans and worn leather jacket well at home on his frame. Seeing him clearer, without her attention being split, she had to give it to Ria, they grew them quite attractive at Grave. She smiled up at him.
“Hey, Million. Thanks so much for doing this.” She stood. “Didn’t have a problem finding this place, did you?”
“Barden gave me the directions or I’d probably be somewhere in California knowing Ria’s sense of direction,” Million said with a smile. “And you seriously don’t need to thank me. Hell, I should be thanking you. If you didn’t need a demon, I’d be stuck watching all the fun instead of getting to participate in it.”
“Well then, we are helping each other. I totally forgot you weren’t on this continent.” She frowned. “You aren’t on this continent, right? I always forget that Grave is in Italy technically.”
“Rome, which is where I actually live and work. Unlike most of Nightmare Court, I spend the majority of my time on the human realm when I’m not at Grave.” He stepped into her office. “Sorry about being early. Bit of a habit of mine. Hope I’m not interrupting.”
“Nope, just rarely deal with people with that kinda work ethic.” She smiled again, the action coming easy. Man was easy to talk to. “Sheridan called to tell me where we were going. We need to pop over to the Sithen and grab Tez, then skirt over. You didn’t drive here, did you? “
He chuckled. “Pretty sure that would have been slightly difficult and I definitely would have been late. Xerxes opened up a portal for me not too far from here.”
“Ooh, big daddy Blood.” She motioned with her head. “Come on. I just asked because we will have to drive to the Sithen. I don’t have any guard yet so my portals are pretty limited.”
“Carnex’s big daddy, not mine,” he said with a laugh and followed her out of her office. “Tell me you don’t drive one of those tiny cars that I’m going to have to try to fold myself into? That’s all they drive in Rome. Everyone knows me because they think I’m part giant.”
“I do drive a Porsche but it’s the SUV,” she offered as they made it to the elevator. “I like to be above the ground, not skimming my ass with it.”
“Damn sound philosophy.” He grinned as he stepped into the elevator behind her. “So, what have you found out about our upcoming trial? Ria just grinned at me when I asked and said that I was officially Air Court for the time being and to get my information from my new princess.” His grin got even bigger.
“Just that we are going to the Faerie version of Machu Pichu?” She shrugged. “Some plateau in the middle of the mountain range down on the southern continent. I didn’t really get a chance to check it out but the princesses are all trying to figure out who each of the houses are going to use. I mentioned you were coming for us, Theo called you a dark horse since none of them know you, and you’re Nightmare.”
“Dark horse, huh? Yeah, I like that comparison.” When the elevator binged, Million held it open for her to go off first. “Next time you talk to them, tell them you’re taking the over on Blood Court having the most in the first trial. Mea will definitely want to be representing for her court and we all know about the Sciath princess and her tryst with Aldal. Though, if I was a betting man, I’d put it all on Air winning. Destroyer demons have really cool power sets, and mine is seriously bad ass. Ria handed you your secret weapon and you didn’t even know it.”
Turning her head, she arched a brow as they stepped off the elevator. “Well then... Wonder why she didn’t just choose you for herself?” she quipped and clicked her fob, her car starting three spaces down. “Looks like I’m lucky lucky. Come on, promise you won’t have to fold into some kinda origami.”
They were settled in her car moments later, after, of course, she moved Baxter’s seat. “Sorry about that.”
“Dare I ask?” he said as he got inside. “As far as Ria. Well, you know her, she’d rather have everyone around her happy than to worry about winning. I doubt she even thinks about these games as more than a big old get together with her friends.”
“I can see that. Ria does have that way about her,” she said as she pulled out. “Only other living thing to ever be in this car with me is Baxter, and that was his booster seat,” she said as she drove, quiet as they made it to street level.
“Your giant lizard, right? Ria mentioned him, though can’t say I’ve ever seen a booster seat for a reptile. Trust me, I’ve seen some weird shit when it comes to people and their pets. There is this one Italian woman who works in the shop next to mine and she carries around her ferret in a picnic basket.”
“There has to be a story there,” she grinned. “Baxter likes to be able to see when I drive, and he’s like the size of an English bulldog, not counting his tail, so he needs the seat.” She turned onto the highway that would lead them out of Detroit proper and toward the estate, which was only twenty minutes away.
“There is always a story about the occupants of Rome, it’s one of the reasons I live there instead of the Sithen. Gets my creative juices flowing.” He reached under the seat and moved it back a couple inches and stretched his legs out. “Now, you mentioned no guard yet but you also said you had a god. Exactly how does that work?”
“I wish I knew...” she said on a sigh. “He spelled my Sithen stone, claiming that the princess that found him would have better things to do than find him.”
“Efficient,” Million said. “Can’t argue with that logic, though, I’ve seen the ads for the music festival you’ve got coming up. I’m surprise you have time to participate in these games.”
“No busier than the rest of the princesses, except Ria, of course.” She grinned. “The games are important, though, I mean, it’s what Faerie wants and all. And I am a team player. So, what is it that you do, aside from babysit that little terror, Kol?”
“Kol is the coolest kid on any realm. I don’t babysit, we hang out,” he said and winked at her. “I’m a tattoo artist, have a shop in Rome. Since it’s my shop, I control the hours, which means if I feel like taking the day off and driving to Naples, or closing up to help out the Air princess in the Stellar Games, I can.”
“Handy. And pretty bad ass. My artist is doing a dime in Leavenworth right now so it’s been a minute since I got some work done. Last he did was my fingers,” she said, gripping the wheel. “No girlfriend? Wife? Pets?”
“None of the above. Not that I find anything wrong with girlfriends, wives, or pets, just haven’t found one of any of them that’s drawn me in. I grew up at Grave Court and have watched two of the most important women in my life find blissful happiness. They made me realize that if a woman can’t love me like they love their men, it’s not worth it.”
“Extremely sound reasoning. And kinda romantic if I’m honest. My parents had the kinda relationship Iridia and Jojen have. Not anymore, of course, but...”
“I’m sure when our Ria gets more powerful, they could have the exact same relationship Iridia and Jojen have. Can I just say how weird it is to see him walking around the Sithen now? First time nearly scared the shit out of me. I mean I was used to Ria talking to her dead father, but not actually seeing him.”
“Right? First time she introduced me he looked like a force ghost, freaked me out,” she agreed. “But you are right. Everyone deserves to be loved with that kinda intensity. Good for you for having the convictions on it.”
She pulled off the highway and was on the road to the Sithen moments later.
“Despite popular belief, demons tend to be romantics,” he said with a laugh. “I mean, we have Canibores, there was really no other way for us to turn out.”
“Yes...the original demon. Princess Gen said he’s still holding a candle for her.”
“Once that demon sets his sights on something, they tend to stay there. Though, he’s pretty harmless. Now the Colcos demonarchy is probably the most volatile of all of us. The Abramelin demonarchy, which is mine, is kinda in the middle of Canibores and Xerxes. We’re lovers and fighters.”
“Middle of the road.” She smirked as they turned onto the road that led up to the Sithen proper. “I like that. What else about your demonarchy? I mean I didn’t mean to get all show time at the Apollo, but it just occurred to me that if part of this game is knowing about the demon’s lineage...well, I would be SOL.”
“I have a feeling they won’t be having a Jeopardy version of demonarchies. I think we’re safe there. Though, I happen to know a lot about most of them, so even if there is, we’ll be golden.” He smiled at her before looking out the window. “It’s beautiful here, so many damn trees. Don’t get much of that in the city.” He turned to glance at her. “My demonarchy was considered the destroyers back in the day. We used to war a lot. Some still do, but mostly we only take up arms to defend the Grave Court. We’re the only demonarchy who has been with the same Court since the beginning.”
“That’s...that’s pretty fucking cool. I mean I’ll be honest, demons always fascinated me. Light doesn’t have any. We have incubi, but they aren’t demons like humans think. So warring is a weekend kinda thing now, you ever see action? I can’t imagine Grave sees much war on its own, I mean Ria doesn’t lend that to anything vile.”
“Ria is definitely a stick a flower in a rifle barrel kinda girl,” he said with a laugh. “But no, I don’t see much action. Though I was up at the Front when the battle against the hobs was going on.”
“Oh yeah? I hear that was fucking crazy. Alyx was regaling us with tales of it a few weeks ago at princess hour.” She looked around. “We just passed into the bubble of the Sithen. It’s not finished growing but it’s kinda stalled. I love the trees here, the greens are so rich.”
“I can see why this was where your people decided to have you plant your stone,” he said and gave her a sheepish smile. “Ria talks about you a lot. Pretty sure I know at least half of everything she knows about you. Though I bet I know one thing you don’t know, because I have a feeling Alyx didn’t mention it. Not sure if I’m hurt or thankful.” He laughed. “I actually pledged for Alyx when she became a princess. Though it didn’t work out, it didn’t take long for both of us to realize we didn’t connect on the level we needed to.”
“Oh, she told me that,” she said softly. “I’m sorry that didn’t work out for you two, I can’t imagine taking that plunge only for it not to work out. If it’s any consolation, I think things happen for a reason, at least in Faerie.” She pulled around the bend, the house just coming into view, the lights brilliant in the lessening sunshine.
“You don’t have to be sorry. She ended up with exactly who she’s supposed to be with. Way I figure it, if you don’t at least try, you’ll never know.” He leaned forward in his seat, staring out the window. “Hot damn, Riddle, that’s one hell of a Sithen. It’s almost all glass.”
“Yeah...” She smiled. “Still trying to figure out why but I like it. If we had more time, I would give you the twenty-five-cent tour but I think we need to get our asses moving.” Turning off the car, she opened the door and slipped out. “Come on, I can at least show you the portal garden.”
“That just means you’re going to have to let me come back so I can get that tour,” he said as he got out himself and walked up next to her. “Call me intrigued.”
“Million, you are always welcome here, anytime you want. The least I can do is have you over for dinner and a turn about the ballroom,” she said as they made it down the granite steps and cobble walkway that led to the portal garden to see Tez and Baxter waiting for them. “Hey, you ready for this? This is Million, on loan from the Grave Court...”
“The Abramelin demon,” Tez said as they approached. “I know Riddle appreciates the assist.”
“Glad I could help,” Million said. “Ria’s been going on about you, too. Something about the dark and devious god of sorcery.” Tez laughed.
“I can’t argue with that description.” He walked over to Riddle and tipped her chin up, placing his lips against hers. “You have a nervous look in your eyes. Remember this is about being around your people and having fun.”
Returning his kiss sweetly, she smiled. “I am trying.” She turned to see Baxter waddle over to Million and hiss at him, then circle him, then stomp his feet and look up to him. “Whoa...buddy...”
Million was laughing, looking down at Baxter. “You seriously remind me of Kol. He does the same thing when he wants me to pick him up.” The demon crouched down and ran his hand over Baxter’s back. “Is that what you’re getting at or do you just not like me?”
“I think he’s saying hi,” she said as she watched the lizard climb up slightly on Million’s knee, yawn, and then make the sound like a harrumph. “He doesn’t meet new people that often but...” she said with slight awe. “That’s how he acts with my father.”
Million picked him up and stood. “Gods, you’re about as big as Kol, too.”
“The portal is all ready to go,” Tez said. “It should take us straight to the site. And don’t worry, the area we’re heading to is mostly uninhabited. Part of Faerie time has forgot.”
“I was wondering about that. The area have any names? Sheridan and the rest had no clue. Anything special there?” She watched as the demon and her familiar got comfortable, Baxter settling into his arms.
“Abscondita,” Tez said. “When Faerie first split away from the human realm, this particular area was hidden, almost as if Faerie wasn’t aware it was there herself. Though, we came to learn it was sacred, a piece of Faerie that would always stay pure, much like Hybrasil.”
“Wow...” she said softly, leaning into him. “Then this makes it more special. There is so much we don’t know about that’s been lost.”
“Maybe,” Million said, “but we’re lucky enough to be around when it’s all being discovered again.”
“We are going to need to map Faerie once again,” she said and looked at Baxter. “You okay with holding him? He’s coming with us but normally he just walks on his own.” The lizard in question settled further into the demon’s arms.
“I think he might beat me with his tail if I put him down,” Million said. “Nihar is working on a map. Though it probably looks like some chaotic drawing at this point.”
“Scribbles and blobs.” She giggled, her smile large and genuine. “That man is a mess.”
“I would be too if I had all that information in my head and living in my skin,” Million said.
Tez placed his hand against her lower back and moved her toward the portal. “I believe we should get moving. I’m actually looking forward to seeing all those fucks who woke up before me.”
She laughed. “Oh, this I can’t wait for. Come on, Million, let’s go.”
C7
The portal spit them out in a cobbled courtyard, the air around them sweet, crisp with the scent of ocean, moss and something floral. Oddly there was neither an ocean, moss nor any sort of plants around them.
The expanse before them was sparse, a walkway with banners of each house was the main focal point, but the land, that was all pinks and dark browns in the afternoon sunshine, the rock and sand and stone glittering with mica. Riddle pulled her sunglasses out of her bag and slipped them on, hand in Tez’s as he helped her through the portal’s edge, tingles erupting where they touched.
Tez had called it Abscondita, where Faerie and the mortal plane first pulled apart. Was that the reason it was so barren? Not that anyone but maybe her god would know. Places like this had been lost to antiquity, especially for the Light Courts.
Beyond where they stood, they saw people, sections in corresponding court colors, what looked like tents, and a large expanse with large monoliths standing silent sentinel to the world beyond. “Woah. Super feudal,” she offered. “It looks like we are one of the last ones to arrive.”
“We’re not late,” Million said and he set Baxter on the ground, “they’re all just way early. Which one is your banner? One thing Ria didn’t tell me is your colors.”
She pointed to one close next to the Ice Court colors. The iridescence of the almost wisteria color and the opalescent white winked in the light like glitter. “Girly, I know,” she said with a shrug. “Air Court apparently is super extra.”
“It’s very you,” Tez said, “though I’m surprised not to see more of it in your Sithen. Let’s go see what we’ve gotten ourselves into.”
She then spied Sheridan, her father, and Willomena off to the side, as if waiting. “Hey. Were you waiting for us?”
Willomena nodded. “It is tradition for the head of house to walk down first, with their household in tow. We didn’t want to skirt tradition, not at our first outing as a court,” she said softly, her eyes going to Tez, then Million with a smile.
Riddle nodded and went to her father, and hugged him. “Hi, Daddy! Look at you so dapper,” she said as she fixed his waistcoat. Saul was always impeccably dressed in public, a product of his time. It was only at home that he relaxed visibly. “Everyone, this is Tez, and our demon on loan, Million. Tez, Million? This is Willomena, the head of the Anointed, Sheridan Cross, my mentor, and my father, Saul Echo.”
Willomena and Sheridan both took a knee and bowed their heads at Tez. “Sire. Welcome back.”
Saul looked to Million, shook his hand, and then bowed his head at Tez. “Welcome back, and a welcome addition to my daughter’s household,” he said, respect evident in his tone.
“It’s my honor to be part of the Air Court,” Tez said, nodding to both Willomena and Sheridan. He took her father’s hand, though, and shook it. “Your daughter speaks very highly of you, I hope we find some time to speak soon.”
Million just smiled at them. “I see Ria bouncing in the distance, I think she’s wondering what’s taking you so long,” he said to her with a laugh.
“Yeah, that’s her, and a baby on her hip. Come on.”
They walked down, Riddle in the center, with both Tez and Million, Baxter preceding them, on either side of her, while her father squired both Willomena and Sheridan to their tented area.
“Welcome!” they heard from the center of the field and she spied Cosmo there. Surprised to see the avatar, as the Sithen was nowhere close, she turned completely. “Courts of Faerie, welcome to the ninety-fourth Stellar Games.”
“Jesus Christ, this better not be a Quarter Quell,” she heard Tripp from farther to the other side.
Cosmo shook his head and kept speaking. “Our society has been plagued by injustice, closed-minded stupidity and loss. With new queens, and a trimming of old fat, we are new once more, and work toward bringing Faerie back to her best self. The Stellar Games are the first step toward unity.
“Houses! Please come forth and present your champions for this, our first task.”
Million grinned at her. “Looks like you get to present me, I feel like I should have dressed up a little more.” He slipped off his coat and tossed it at Tez. “Mind holding on to that for me?”
“Can’t say I’ve ever been a coat rack before but there’s a first time for everything,” her god said, followed by a very undignified short of laughter.
She nodded and took a deep breath and smiled. “Come on.” Turning her head, she winked at Tez.
Baxter kept pace with them as they walked forward, helping to create the semicircle around Cosmo. She looked up, noticing drones buzzing around them. Clearly Hendrix and Anders had been busy. She knew they were going to stream the event, but she wasn’t aware this was going to be such a production.
“Queen Verity,” Cosmo said as he turned to Sen, who was on the end of the semicircle, “Please present your Court champion.”
Verity stepped forward, with Nassar holding her hand. “House Salim, the Sleeping Court, enters my demon lover and royal guard, Nassar, into the competition.” Catcalls erupted from the Sleeping Court tent, as well as Lotus Court.
“Like there was any other choice,” Nassar said and smirked at Verity. “When Verity hears demon, her mind only goes in one direction.”
“This isn’t a time for us all to feel sorry for our queen,” Mea said to him. “Though, we do do that often.”
“I wasn’t aware we had to give a pedigree,” she whispered to Million.
Verity turned and pulled Nassar to her and kissed him soundly. “Good luck beating him, all of you,” she said with a slap to his ass, and a laugh from Alyx.
“I suppose I’ll go next,” Senara said and smiled up at Franco. “Ash Court is entering Franco Noir, my demon who presented me with the head of his dead demon fiancée, into the competition.” She looked over at Verity. “You already took the demon lover part.”
“Well, it is Nassar’s primary job,” she teased.
Franco pulled Senara to him, dipped her and kissed her sweetly, the rousing catcalls from Ash, Arcane, and Fever were raucous.
“Behave yourself,” Sen said as her face turned a very bright shade of pink.
“Sweetheart, I did.” He winked as Gogo walked up.
“Dank Court enters Seditia Flo, huntswoman, demon, and all-around bad ass commander of DayBlaze!” The woman at her side, a tall mahogany goddess with long silver hair, took a bow, and the Dank retainers that came, the most of all, as it seemed she had both Hunt and Sluagh with her, started roaring.
“Competition is already looking fierce,” Mea said as all eyes turned to her. “Blood Court and House Blut will be represented by me.” She grinned. “As I have graciously loaned out a good handful of my other demons. But really, you never let someone else do what the princess of the Colcos demons can do on her own.”
“Damn fucking straight!” Ryker called. “House Blut!”
“Each one of you are going to get spanked,” Tripp said.
“Since I have myself my own Blut representing the Sciath Court today,” Addie said, looking over her shoulder at Blood Court, “I’ll have to agree that House Blut will be spanking at some ass today. Though, it’s not going to be Mea.” She turned and looked at Cosmo. “House Granier and the Sciath Court will be represented by Aldal Blut, son of Minal, daughter to Verlaine Blut. Fire demon with the most talented of hands,” she added as she looked over at Aldal.
“And tongue. Don’t forget tongue,” Aldal said as he stepped up to her and grinned.
Tripp and Ryker catcalled once more. “Hey, Al, you win this for Sciath, you don’t get to come home anymore!” Tripp called out
“Maybe that’s his plan,” Ryker said.
Aldal shot them both the finger.
“In keeping with the Blut theme...” Aziz said with a grin. “Lotus Court, House Kamalam, enters Bechar into the competition. He might be Mea’s now, but he was Kamalam first.” He grinned. “The last remaining storm demon and Blut and Lotus’s best chef to date.”
“He’s everyone’s best chef and you cannot keep him if he wins,” Mea said, eyeing Aziz.
“You’ll always have me last, sugar,” Bechar said to her.
“I guess I’ll round out the Blut theme,” Eira said, putting her arm around the man standing next to her. “Ice Court and House Lempta enters Damari, Prince of the Laminea demonarchy, whose existence started from the blood of my god, Vasuki. We are proud to have him representing us today.”
“You can’t keep Damari either,” Mea said, making Eira laugh.
“Seriously, Mea,” Million said to the princess, “someone needs to change your sigil from a dragon to a demon.”
Riddle laughed. “Kinda glad I borrowed you from Grave Court,” she said. “House Echo, Air Court, enters Million of the Abramelin demonarchy, tied to me through my dark sister, Candiria Asterion, of Grave Court. Air and Grave have long been allies before the split, we honor that allegiance.”
“Damn right, sister!” Ria said. “Grave Court freely lends out Million whenever you would like him.” She turned to the empty space to her right. “Yes, he does look handsome.” She looked at Million. “Oh, my gods! He does look like Hector, I never noticed that before. It’s the eyes.”
“Ria,” Million said, trying to hold back a laugh, “who and what are you talking about?”
“Ester said you look like Hector and I agreed,” Ria said, causing Million to raise his brow. “Oh! I’m sorry. Grave Court and House Asterion enter Ester, previous princess of the Abramelin demonarchy.”
“Ria, sweety,” Million said, this time laughter in his voice. “We can’t see her.”
“Oops!” Ria scrunched up her nose and the spot next to her wavered until a woman, who must have died late in life given the grey hair and wrinkles, appeared. “There, Ester, everyone. Everyone, Ester.”
“This is going to be interesting...” Niko snorted from his space behind them. “Dove, you do know she’s a ghost, right?”
Ria turned to look over her shoulder at him. “Duh. You know she was the most badass female demon warrior of all of Abramelin history, right?”
“I do, they don’t.” He smirked. “Maybe tell them why you are entering a noncorporeal force ghost?”
“Because she’s Grave Court.” She made a face at him before looking at Cosmo. “Is there a rule that says the competitor has to be alive?”
“No, there isn’t,” Cosmo said, his smile serene.
“See,” she said to Niko and stuck her tongue out at him. “We’ve totally got this, right, Ester?”
“These living beings have no idea what they’re up against,” Ester said in agreement.
“Well, shit, Million,” Riddle said as Theo walked up with an extremely attractive female demon with corkscrew horns like a Kudu. “Woah.”
“Fever Court, House Amorenta enters Gebra Loan, the first demon to join House Amorenta. Gebra’s home demonarchy is of no consequence since she is now and ever will be Fever.” She smiled as she took the woman’s hand.
“You going to kiss her or what?” Anders called out.
“You wanna see that, you pay a subscription,” Gebra said and Theo laughed.
“A demon shunning her demonarchy,” Million said with a slight shake of his head. “That’s harsh, Gebra.” He looked over at Riddle and smiled. “Don’t worry about dead old Ester, we will totally take her down.”
“Not shunning, Million. I was cast out ten years ago because of my job,” she said. “My loyalties and my specialties are to the family, the house that accepts me.”
Riddle nodded. She knew Theo had taken in a bunch of displaced demons, fae and other Faerie denizens due to issues with their jobs, and lifestyles. Fever accepted all, much like Dank did. “Right on!” She grinned at Million. “Of course we will, how can she even interact with anything?”
Alyx walked up with a smile. “Saved the best for last. Arcane Court, House Mayhem enters the sexiest female guard, Satan’s daughter, singular Nephilim, and all around winged bad ass, Eliora!” she grinned.
“Is Eli even a demon?” Ryker asked. “No, seriously, I wanna know.”
“You just keep wondering, Ryker,” Eli said.
“Technically,” Nihar said from where he was standing with the rest of the Dank guards, “the rules of the Stellar Games list any being who was hatched as being able to participate as a demon. While she’s not technically a demon, she was hatched.”
“See,” Eli grinned, “loophole.”
“And no one is going to argue with Satan’s daughter,” Eira said.
“There is that, too,” Nihar agreed with a laugh.
Cosmo smiled once more. “All the houses have presented. Competitors, please step forward.”
She watched as they all did, one by one.
Million winked at her before stepping up with the other demons.
“Everyone, time to place your bets,” Addie said up at the drone flying above her.
Cosmo looked to all of them. “Beyond is the field of play. The game is simple. Destroy the andesite block you are assigned to. First to do so wins.”
“All we have to do is break a rock?” Bechar asked.
“I believe he said destroy a rock,” Million said. “Hmm, now which one of us is a destroyer?”
“That would be me, you young little shit,” Ester said.
“Master Million is correct. Destroy the rock,” Cosmo said.
Damari sighed. “And we are only allowed to use our own powers, correct?”
“That is correct, Consort Prince.”
“You got this, baby!” Ryker screamed to Mea.
“I’ve been trying to destroy a rock for years now,” Bechar said, looking over at Riven. “Guess I could use the practice.” The huntsman flipped him off.
“Think about it again and this rock isn’t the only thing I’m going to set flame to,” Mea said and walked over to smack Bechar on the ass. “You’re going down, big boy.”
“Oh, bring it on, Princess.”
“Are we ready?” Cosmo asked. “Please pick your monolith.”
Baxter clawed on Riddle’s leg and she bent down to pick him up as her eyes were on Million, completely unsure what was going to happen, or what he was going to do. She turned to see Tez as he walked up to her. “What is he going to do?” she said to her god, slightly worried but more curious than anything. He looked back at her and she smiled at him, getting one in return, a look that slid right down her spine.
***
Million stepped up to the monolith, somehow managing to pick the one between Mea and Aldal. Sibling demons was usually the one place you tried not to be in the middle of. He knew that well, considering two of his closest friends growing up were twin brothers, and those two were always trying to find new and creative ways to kill each other. He had a scar on his right knee to remind him never to get between them. But here he was between two Bluts.
“You two keep your fire to yourself,” he said, looking between the two of them. “If you singe my hair I will be seriously pissed.”
Mea smiled at him, and it always freaked him out when Mea smiled. “Then when I say duck, you better duck. Don’t blame me if you’re slow.”
Laughing, he looked down at the dark grey rock, one in which if it was from a human volcano would be difficult to break, but not impossible. Given the way the minerals within it were glowing, it definitely came from a Faerie one, making the task that much more impossible. He could hear the other demons already calling on their powers, but he didn’t call on his yet, he liked to study his opponent before going after it.
Aldal rolled his shouldered and cracked his neck, smirking. “You do realize, little sister, you might have Faerie fire but you ain’t shit without Ryker.”
“Oh shit,” Damari said from the other side of Mea. “Aldal now has a death wish.”
“And you...” He looked to Million. “When I say hit the deck...do.”
“Excuse me,” Mea said, practically shooting daggers at her brother. “My powers are mine, or do you need a demonstration?” She wagged her fingers and Million didn’t wait to be told to duck, he took two giant steps back just as a stream of green fire shot an inch from Aldal’s feet. “I had my power before Ryker did. Don’t be all jealous and whiny since my men actually want to be with me on the regular.”
He looked between the two of them again and casually stepped back to study his rock. “Someone might need to get Eamon to referee these two.”
Aldal snorted. “Not my fault you carry all their balls around in your little purse...”
“Hey!” Damari said. “Aldal, I’m going to let Cilla tail-bat you into the goddamn lake.” Million watched as the man transformed into a massive snake.
“Don’t chip a fang,” Aldal said to the snake.
“Competitors, at the ready...”
“Kinda like Addie carries yours around?” Mea said, not bothering to look at him.
“I can send a perfectly placed bolt up your ass if you’re not careful, Aldal,” Bechar said from across from them.
Million saw Eli lean over to where Nassar was standing next to her. “The Blood Court is going to take themselves out distracting each other. Competition is already thinning and we haven’t even started.” Nassar looked across to him and grinned. Million swore the demon had something up his sleeve and didn’t trust that look. He was going to need to think fast.
“At the sound of the horn,” Cosmo said and seconds later a foghorn sounded.
Damari was quick slithering to the monolith, wrapping his bulk around it, his scales gleaming like metal, almost like a basilisk.
Franco was levitating the stone. Seditia, the huntswoman, was kicking at the stone, chips starting to fly.
Aldal blasted the stone with his fire, the section he was hitting starting to glow red.
Million picked his up, testing the weight in his hand. He turned it around and over, looking at every inch of it. Damn, but he was glad he took off his jacket. Between the regular fire on his left and the green flames of Faerie fire on his right, it was becoming an inferno. The only one who could be stuck so close to the flame like he was would have been Eli, who was smearing her blood against stone and the fucking thing was starting to smoke.
Turning his attention to the spot next to Eli, to see what Nassar was up to, he let out a laugh. The demon was nowhere to be found, but the rock was vibrating like it was a tuning fork.
“You going to stare at it all day, Million?” Ester said as she slipped her hand inside the rock. “You might look like Hector, but he had more brains.”
“Wait for it, Es,” he said, smiling at the old ghost. “Just wait for it.”
Shards of rock started to break off the stone as Damari squeezed. Gebra was drawing something on the stone with her horn, though he wasn’t sure what. Aldal was growling now, and his stone was starting to go molten red, while Franco was spinning his in the air.
“Almost,” Aldal gritted out. Damari hissed as a large piece of the stone broke off from his constriction. The drawing on Gebra’s stone began to glow as the lightning striking Bechar’s stone filled the air with ozone.
Million knew it was time when he started to hear Mea’s stone whistle. It was moments away from exploding. Not many in Nightmare knew about his powers since he didn’t often have a reason for using them. Lately, he used them more to entertain Kol than anything else. Having the power to manipulate the nether had so many layers to it, no one could ever figure out what it was. Today, he planned on letting the nether do his work for him. The stone disappeared from his hand as he sent it into the endless depths of oblivion. Of course, oblivion wasn’t really endless. His being knew how to navigate those depths and send his rock to the underworld he wanted to it to go to. With Riddle’s connection to Tez, Mictlān was the perfect destination.
“You lose your rock already?” Eli asked.
“Oh, it’s not lost. It should be back right about...” The rock appeared back upon the monolith, though it more resembled shards and dust. “Cosmo, is that what you meant by destroyed?”
“Game end,” Cosmo said. “Air Court is the winner.”
Riddle screamed from their section and he felt seconds later the claws of a large lizard on his leg.
“Holy shit!”
“Uh...” Aldal said. “Whoa.”
Franco laughed. “Dude, I knew that was going to happen.”
“See, ladies and gentlemen,” Million said as he crouched down to pet Baxter, “you can’t send something into oblivion without it being destroyed. Figured I would at least give you guys a fighting chance.” When he stood back up, he looked over his shoulder and grinned at Riddle.
Riddle ran up to him, matching his grin. “That was fucking awesome!”
“Score one for Air Court!” Theo’s brother, Thurston, said from the Fever Court pavilion.
“Holy shit. Remind me not to piss off the tattoo guy,” Tripp said. “I just lost ten k.”
Million smiled at Riddle. The look of pure delight on her face made him feel invincible. It was hard to explain, even to himself, but knowing he made her happy was even better than besting the other demons. When she reached him, he pulled her into a hug and spun her around, laughing. “See, nothing at all to worry about.” He set her back on her feet, a smile still splitting his face. “Air Court is a force to be reckoned with and you didn’t even know it.”
“Maybe...” she said and leaned in, kissing him on the cheek. “Thank you.”
“Air Court is in first place with Grave Court in second,” Cosmo said. “Well played, all competitors.”
Just then a leaderboard appeared, with Air Court at the top, Grave, Blood, Sleeping, Lotus, Ash, Dank, Sciath, Ice, Fever, and Arcane, respectively. Groans and cheers came from all the different camps and Riddle picked Baxter up and smiled at him once more as her father and the rest walked up.
“Outstanding, young man,” Willomena said and bowed slightly.
“It’s always fun competing against those loons,” he said with grin. “They always tend to forget what my powerset it. Makes it all the more entertaining.”
“Nether manipulation?” Tez asked as he stepped up next to Riddle, his hand resting against her back. It was something Million had noticed about the god, he wasn’t a full-on PDA guy like Cetus tended to be, but every time he was near Riddle, he was touching her.
“Yeah, don’t have a lot of opportunities to use it,” he said. “I think the most use I get out of it is when Ria has a dance party in the graveyard.”
“How the hell do you use it for that?” Saul said. “You just turn the damn place to dust?”
“Million could always get the grumpy old dead people to dance,” Ria said as she skipped over. She went right over to Riddle and held her fist up to her mouth like she was holding a microphone. “Air Court has taken an early lead. Princess Riddle, tell us how it feels to be totally badass?”
“I am not a bad ass...but my demon on loan apparently is. Seems your ghost didn’t do so bad either.” She laughed. “Both our courts rock, thanks to you.” She turned and winked at him. “It’s always the quiet ones.”
“Out of everyone standing here, Riddle,” Ria said, “you’re the only quiet one. I usually can’t get Million to shut up.” She grinned at him.
“Says the woman who can go hours talking without ever taking a breath,” he said, making Ria giggle. “So, what now? We have to have some kind of celebration.”
Cosmo walked up then. “Congratulations, Princess Riddle, Princess Candiria. Just beyond the field of play there is a large tent set up, as well as a light repast, and libations.” He looked to Willomena and bowed. “Senior Anointed, it is lovely to see you.”
“And you, Genesis.”
“Genesis?” she asked the older woman.
“Long ago, the original Sithen was considered a genesis, a spontaneous explosion of magic with one purpose, to serve those that serve Faerie. Cosmo is Genesis.”
“Wow,” Riddle said.
“And you, sire.” Cosmo bowed to Tez. “Welcome home.”
“Huh,” he said. “And here I thought it was an eighties rock band. Learn something new every day.”
“Good to see you again, Cosmo,” Tez said. “I told you it would work, though none of you believed me.” He turned to Riddle. “Shall we escort you to the tents? I saw Cetus head in that direction and I believe I’m owned a weeping, down on his knees, thank you.”
“Oh, that I gotta see.” She grinned.
Saul smiled. “Come on, let’s get a drink, yes?”
Cosmo, in conversation with Sheridan and Willomena, brought up the rear as they walked down, Ria and Riddle next to each other arm in arm. She looked to him again and smiled. “You fatigued from that or anything?”
He shook his head. “No, it doesn’t take up that much energy, the nether pretty much does most of the work. Actually gives me a bit of a rush. Though I’m trying to be on my best behavior and not streak around the grounds around all these royals.”
“I say do your victory lap.” She laughed.
They made it to the main tent, And Ria walked over to her own court, leaving them to find their way around. Riddle turned to her god and grinned. “Seems Cetus, Nareau, and Vasuki are all in one place...”
“Is it safe to have four gods in one place?” Million asked, deciding he was not going anywhere near that much power.
“Safe for us?” Tez said, looking over at him with an evil glint in his eye. “Safe for the rest of creation? Usually not. I’ll be back shortly, I think you should find your champion a drink.” He kissed Riddle on the cheek before heading toward the rest of the gods. “I think it’s time for you to worship at my feet, you gigantic squid,” they heard him say as he walked away.
“Someone is going to get punched in the face,” she said and set Baxter down. “Daddy...”
“Go.” Her father winked and went to sit as she turned to him. “Let’s get you that drink, yeah?”
“Probably in the exact opposite direction of what’s going to be going on there,” he said before offering Riddle his arm. “I would put money on your god coming out of that without a scratch on him. I always thought Cetus was a scary fucker, but Tez might have him beat.”
“Tez is scary,” she agreed as she threaded her arm through his. “They all are, though, well, except Vasuki. That god is very nice. At least he doesn’t put off the off-putting vibe.”
“He’s more the intellectual scary than the he’s able to rip my head from my body scary. Though, with Tez as your god, it won’t be long until you’re a bit scary yourself. Not that that would be a bad thing,” he quickly said. “Never anything wrong with a woman with immense power.”
“Possibly,” she said with a smirk. “I don’t wanna be all dark Galadriel or anything, but getting a Hand of Power to manifest would be pretty cool. I think I’m a way off from that, though. I think I wanna be scary like Gogo is scary...kinda all benevolent and wonderful until she needs to be a fucking bad ass and then the world dies around her. That’s the kinda effect I think I want. I don’t have the energy to be a scary bad ass twenty-four seven.”
“I don’t think it would be possible for you to be scary bad. You’re like Ria, your heart is too big for that. Plus, darkness doesn’t mean bad. Every demon in my family has a power that is considered dark, mostly having to do with death, add to that we’re part of Grave Court, most think we’re the evilest of demons. Truthfully, we’re probably the most laid back, happy fuckers on the planet.”
“I can see that. You seem pretty in control of yourself, which is nice to see.” They made it to the libations and she looked at him. “What’s your poison?”
“Rum and Coke guy,” he said. “I know you have a thing for cupcakes, which I did find hidden away the other day, but since you can’t drink a cupcake...”
“I like ciders. Mea does a blackberry cider that is the tits. I’m not a huge drinker. Unless it’s when Ria isn’t pregnant, and then it’s dessert wines...”
“If Ria had her choice, there wouldn’t be a time when she wasn’t pregnant,” he said and looked around the table, finding one of the ciders she mentioned in a tub. He pulled it out, opened the top, and handed it to her. “You might need to find someone else to drink dessert wines with.”
“Yeah. Kinda sucks when you find your BFF and they are well past the let’s hangout and go dancing and drinking phase and wants all the babies. Not that there is anything wrong with that, Ria is the best mom ever.”
“Oh, pregnancy will never keep that woman from hanging out and going dancing,” he said with a laugh. “Pretty sure she’s always dancing.” He took Riddle by the shoulders and turned her to see Ria, who was over by her men, dancing with Carnex. “How someone so little has so much energy, I’ll never know.” He released her and grabbed a soda for himself. “So, not thinking about kids yet? Guess that makes sense, since you’re still looking for your men.”
She shrugged. “Dudes in general, I guess. I’m the youngest of us, aside from Senara, and I don’t date, so...kinda hard to get knocked up when you aren’t even fielding potential suitors in any sense of the word. And I’m just not a go it alone kinda woman, you know? If kids happen?” She shrugged again. “I’m down.” She turned and found the bottle of rum and a glass. “Tipple the sweet stuff.”
“Well, you aren’t alone anymore. Tez seems very fond of you. I always get a kick out of the gruff, cranky looking men getting all soft for their women. My uncle always told my niece, you can mate with an asshole, as long as they are an asshole to everyone but you.”
“I assume you are talking about that beast Niko?” she grinned. “He takes the cake on gruff and cranky... How he and Ria produced Kol is a wonder. I hope the kid takes after Barden.” She winked. “And Tez and I...” she smiled. “It’s nice to have him at the Sithen, teaching me to use the magic I have and all. Past that I don’t actually know.”
“That’s because Faerie is letting you choose how you want your relationships,” he said, mixing his drink together. “And there is no timetable in how long you have to decide. I think it’s better when things come naturally.” He leaned in and whispered, “Really hope Faerie doesn’t shoot a lightning bolt up my ass for saying that.”
“If she does, you will know better for next time,” she whispered with a giggle. “And you are probably right, doesn’t make it less awkward or anything. I mean there’s a point in everything that is a tipping point, you know, the whole, friends and lovers or one or the other kinda thing,” she said candidly. “It’s my experience I tend to miss the boat on the latter and keep it to the former. Not me complaining, mind you, things become what they are meant to, you know? Just a little disappointing.”
“If you become stuck in the disappointment circle, you’ll end up missing out on all the fun stuff. I’ve always heard if you stop looking, stop thinking about it, and live your life the way you want to, things that are supposed to happen, will.” He took a sip of his drink and looked around. “Anyone you want to rub your win in their face?”
She looked at him with a small contemplative smile, then shook her head. “Nah. That’s just not me,” she said. “I didn’t expect to be on equal footing with any of them, so honestly, thank you for that, because I was worried we wouldn’t be able to compete at all. But everyone did well, and the power out on that field, it was fucking amazing seeing it, seeing the mastery of what they have. Regardless of who won, really everyone out there is super bad ass. Even the ghost.”
“Demon power is very different than Faerie power. We’re born with it, it grows as we grow. It’s not really something we have to learn, per se, it’s something that is part of us. It doesn’t care what gender we are, what family we’re born into, every single one of us have some sort of power.”
“That’s amazing, like truly. Since we don’t have demons and all in Light, this was the first real visuals I had for any theory I learned with the Anointed. Like I said, seeing it in action is pretty freaking bad ass. When did you figure out your own powers?”
“About the time I learned how to talk,” he said. “Though, I honestly can’t remember when I was that little. It was something that was always there. My family lived at Grave Court, most still do, so being around both the living and the dead my entire life made it easier for me to use them. Being able to call on the energy from both. Is there a power set you’re hoping to get?”
“Any?” she laughed. “I honestly don’t even know what runs in our family outside of the Anointed. Daddy has the Hand of Pulling, he can pull all the oxygen from a room, which is a distinct Air Court power, but Duke, that’s my brother, doesn’t have anything, and he in his twenties. I have inherent magic being of Anointed blood, but...a Hand?” She shook her head. “I wouldn’t know where to begin. Having Tez around, it will probably be a power rooted in darkness, which is cool since he’s the OG sorcerer and all and at some point, when the big bond happens it will influence it, at least that’s what Sheridan and the rest think. I just think it will be cool whatever I get.”
“You should talk to Nihar or Senara to see what power sets are in your family. Nihar has it all on his skin but I know Senara has been going through the records in Hybrasil, organizing everything on the courts and their powers. I’ve been talking to some of the other demonarchies to see if we have anything like that. It would be cool to have all that written down for us as well.”
“It seems like a pretty handy kinda thing. Probably back in the day they had them but with the Rift and all.” She sighed. “Ugh, I wish we weren’t flying blind, you know? Though having those lunatics,” she motioned to the gods off to the side that looked to be trying to one up each other, “back is a step in the right direction.”
“We’re not flying as blind as we used to,” he told her. “We have Hybrasil, Nihar, Cosmo. I think any question we have now, we have the ability to answer. Honestly, though, it’s nothing I ever thought about. I’m spoiled being part of Grave. All the ugliness of what the previous Nightmare Court queens put us through was cut off at our borders. The Asterions stayed out of most of it and when Ria took over as princess, she made sure those of us within Grave never got caught up in the ugliness.”
“That’s because Ria is a boss bitch.” She grinned. “I hope if and when our court populates, I’ll be half as bad ass as she is. She and how she treats her court is a straight up goal.”
“She definitely has the love of her court. I mean, it’s hard not to love her.” He smiled to where she was now sitting on Niko’s lap, trying to make the old sourpuss laugh. “How many do you currently have in Air Court? I pretty much know nothing about how courts get more people.”
“We have two families, aside from the Anointed, which sadly are dying out, though I’m hoping that with an infusion of power we can start to bring new acolytes and adepts into the fold, but right now no one has been triggered because the Anointed are literally running on reserve power.” She looked up as if thinking. “I think total we have something like fifty members of Air Court, but our two extra houses are largely magicless, joining us for security because we offer it freely and don’t expect tithing, or didn’t when shit head Baalim was in charge.
“As to how courts get more people? Once a court can prove they can both protect and help to prosper, they are petitioned by non-affiliated houses.”
“I have no doubt that Air Court will end up being full to capacity when it’s all said and done.”
“One can hope. Fever is still taking appointments, Theo said it’s been crazy but it also gives good insight into what families want now that they aren’t under the yoke so to speak.” She lifted her drink. “To Air Court finding the right bannermen.” She clinked her bottle with his glass. “So now that this is all over, what’s the savior of Air Court going to do next?”
“Same thing I do every night, try to take over the world.” He grinned at her. “And when that doesn’t go according to plan, I head to the shop and work. What about you, Princess of the Air Court? Any big celebration plans?”
“I guess a shower and maybe sitting in my bubble chair and reading some massive esoteric tome about power grids, then working tomorrow. Though I can’t imagine you wouldn’t be able to take over the world if you wanted to.” She took a sip and then leaned against the table.
“I’m a firm believer in trying over and over again until you get what you want. So, one of these days, totally taking it over.” He smiled at her. The woman was definitely easy to talk to and very different than most of the princesses he’d known. She didn’t give off that royal vibe. She was down to earth and more like a woman he could run into at a bar than one he would run into at some fancy engagement.
“I can see it happening. They will never suspect it, though you need a sidekick that says narf, think Kol would do it?”
“I think Ria might have my hide. Maybe I can convince you to let me borrow Baxter. He’d make an awesome sidekick.”
“He likes you,” she said wistfully. “He only likes my dad like that, but he’s taken a shine to you, so you’re welcome to borrow him any time.”
As if on que, the large black and green lizard came lumbering over the ground, making a beeline for him. “See what I mean? He and I are friends but you two could have a bromance going so quick...”
“What can I say, reptiles adore me.” He crouched down to pet Baxter. “Though, I have yet to test that theory with Blood’s dragons.”
“They are a menace from what I hear.” She grinned. “I have always wanted to find a Faerie monitor lizard, they can get almost ten feet long. Anders said he saw some on one of his excursions but he wasn’t going to attempt to bring one back for fear of losing a finger.”
“If Anders is afraid of losing a finger, I would probably not recommend one as a pet,” he said with a laugh.
“Riddle!” Ria said as she skipped over. “Barden is telling me I have to go home and take a nap.” She made a face. “Call me later and we can be all catty about coming in first and second today.” She turned to him and kissed his cheek. “Nice representing out there, my second favorite demon.”
“Of course. And we can plan baking night,” she pulled Ria into a hug. “Love you, and thanks for loaning him out.”
They looked over, seeing the party starting to break up around them and Baxter went to Ria quickly, making a run about her legs and then dashed off toward where Saul with talking with Theo and her men.
“I should probably hitch a portal back to Grave,” he told Riddle and pulled her into a hug. “If you need a demon again, call me.” He reached into his back pocket, pulling out his wallet and handing her one of his business cards. “Seriously, this was a lot of fun.”
“I will.” She nodded. “Thanks again, and safe home, yeah?”
“Ria!” Niko Bellowed. “You want that foot rub you will move your pert ass.”
Ria rolled her eyes. “Like I won’t get one anyway. Come on, demon.” She grabbed his hand and pulled him along.
“I’m going to try,” he called back. “Though with this one, you never know.”
C7:
––––––––
Lunch arrived quickly the day after the first game. Riddle had gone home, and done exactly what she had told Million, a shower and research, then crawled into bed and slept, dreamless but for one. And the dream was...interesting.
She never had sex dreams, like ever, she was sure her subconscious wasn’t trying to torture her on things she had rarely had with no prospects of the real thing, but there she was, having a sex dream about Million.
Though, in all honesty, after looking at it, she couldn’t call it an actual sex dream since sex never happened. Still, it was erotic, and woke her with her heart pounding and her body tingling.
Running through a loamy forest with a black baby doll dress on, she was barefoot, and being chased, but she knew by who, Million, and there was delight coursing through her. He finally caught her just outside a stone circle, spun her around and pushed her up against one of the lichen and moss-covered standing stones and lifted her, wrapping her legs around his waist as he lifted her arms over her head, his smirk sexy and cruel just before she felt his lips on hers, his body hard and insistent trapped her against the stone, and closed her eyes....only to wake up.
Since she had, she had moved in a haze around the Sithen, said goodbye to Tez, and drove into work. Loomis had told her he couldn’t create personal portals till her power got more stable, till she had someone that was feeding it and regulating it. So driving was her only option still.
Getting to work, she had blinked and it had been lunch, her body on autopilot, though her brain was still rolling over the dream. Now, with her sushi order in front of her, she tried to let the brain calm, and focus on what she was doing, but it wasn’t happening.
She knew things, everything, was going on the back burner till she felt more...grounded. And she should be already but things weren’t working out.
Leveling a piece of dragon roll to her mouth, she almost dropped it when her phone started to go off, the strains of “Lolita” by Lana Del Ray echoing in the space of her office. Theo. Each of the princesses had their own ringtone, something she had personally selected by the way the music made her feel and experience about that person. She hit the button, putting her on speaker.
“What up...”
Theo laughed. “No video?”
“Oh, you wanna see me? Cool...” Riddle clicked her phone and then propped it up, to see Theo sitting in a pink and black striped maxi dress on her back veranda, in the shade. “Don’t you work anymore?”
“Of course, I do. I have a live tonight with Sajan, so we are heading into the office later to set the scene as it were. Don’t have to ask if you are at work,” she said dryly. “What’s going on? You gonna dish about that sexy demon that won for Air Court?”
Riddle gave her droll look. “Nothing to say. Ria loaned him out to me, his winning was a complete surprise to me and we barely know each other.”
“Saw you two chatting, though. Surely you know him better now, right?”
“I know he’s a tattoo artist, and he likes kids,” she offered. “He hangs out with Kol a lot apparently.”
“No girlfriend? Wife? Lover?”
“Not that he mentioned. Something about not settling. I didn’t think he wanted to talk about it so I didn’t pry.”
Theo rolled her eyes and sighed. “Well, he is pretty. Though all the demons I have met are. Tends to be true when old hot ass Canibores is their progenitor. How’s things with that sexy as fuck god of yours?”
“I guess fine?” she said and popped a piece of food into her mouth.
“You guess fine? Rids baby, I expected to have a fun sexy call with you. Surely you wanna gush over what’s been going on.”
“If anything was going on, Theo, I would, believe me. But nothing is.”
“Nothing? Well, how is he in bed?”
“He sleeps?” she offered. “And I get a kiss in the morning.”
Theo’s eyes went wide. “Are you...are you telling me he hasn’t touched you?”
“Oh, he touches me plenty. Hand on the back, holds my hand, moves hair from my face when I’m doing magic, which I suck at by the way. But if you mean has he given me the old heave ho? Not even close. I’m not sure if it’s that I just don’t deserve it because I suck so bad or what.”
“Holy shit, Rids, the implication that he’s withholding because you aren’t up to par...”
“I know, but knowing what I know of him, it’s possible. And it’s doing nothing for my confidence, not personally or magically.”
Theo nodded. “That I can understand, I mean, he should be all over you. Nareau is constantly with me.”
“I don’t think it works like that with Tez. He wants to get to know me, I think, and I honestly don’t know how to act with him. I feel like we are just friends and he’s slipping into the zone of that’s all there will be between us. It sucks because I am attracted to him, but I honestly feel like he’s holding back because I’m not powerful enough...and I know the power is there, I can feel it, but it feels disconnected from everything and me. I feel like I should be more connected to him, and I’m not. He sleeps in my bed, he will kiss me on occasion but that’s as far as it goes. It’s fucking confusing and it’s soul crushing.”
“Well maybe you have to just take it from him.”
She shook her head. “I’m a lot of things, but that isn’t me. I’m not going to consider that.” She sighed and leaned back in her chair. “I want a male to want me...especially the ones that are supposedly meant to be mine. If I just take them, I won’t know if it’s because they feel obligated to humor me, but they aren’t interested like that. I feel like I’m awkward and unsure and I fucking hate this. And I know no man should define me, I am my own person, but...”
“But this isn’t about that. This is about feeling good about being the princess, about having multiple men, and a god, that is called your own. Oh, honey...” she sighed. “I can see where this fucking sucks. Without the confidence of the knowledge that they want you in that way...”
“I’m not confident to be the person I want to be with them. Vicious cycle.”
“And the magic? You said you feel it.”
She nodded again. “It’s there, it’s there and it’s like pulsing inside me, mixing like a blender on high, but it’s not blooming, it’s not growing and I think it’s because I feel alone in all this. I don’t feel like I have a partner, or someone that wants me, if I’m honest.”
Theo was quiet for a few moments, her face contemplative. “And Million? You think that it could be something with him?”
“Who knows? I mean he doesn’t flirt. He’s a very nice guy, happy and carefree. Maybe my brain knows something since I had a pseudo sex dream about him last night.”
Theo grinned. “Oh, do tell.”
She told her about the dream, and then sighed. “I barely know him, Theo, and he didn’t exhibit any interest past wanting to help because it might be fun.”
“Well, maybe he’s as awkward as you? I mean he’s hot as sin, and what’s he do? Tattoos? Oh, honey, that’s right up your alley,” she mused.
“He offered for Alyx a while back. They didn’t mesh.”
“I can see that. Alyx is a force of nature, and the guard that ended up with her were exactly what she needed. I want that for you, too, Rids...and remember, Alyx had issue with getting to her happily ever after, too.”
“Well, did she have to deal with dudes not wanting to be with her?”
Theo laughed. “She and Scur had known each other for years before they got together. Asshole used to ignore her as kids.”
“Jesus. Well thank god I don’t have to deal with that. My confidence is shit as it is.”
“And I’m pretty sure Hutchings spent a few months as a coyote before he even revealed himself to her, though that got him more of a ‘dating’ kinda relationship with her and they are still feeling shit out.”
“Yes...but they all wanted to be with her physically, right? She wasn’t dealing with awkward shit?”
“She and Scur were if I’m not mistaken. He was around a few months, too, before the moon revel.”
“So, you are telling me I need a moon revel?”
“Maybe not,” her friend mused. “Maybe you need to come to a fertility rite.”
“Oh, fuck no.” She shook her head. “The last thing I need is to go there, get knocked up and not be able to enjoy whatever comes my way. I know Ria is the queen of pregnancy and she’s my BFF but that’s totally not me.”
“Fertility rites are not just for babies, but baby making.” She made a pump action with her hand.
“Theo, that just feels wrong, too. I just want to be wanted...and acted upon.”
“I know. I know. So, what are you thinking about with Tez?”
“Honestly, I’m not. I’m so fucking confused with all of it.” She sighed again. “Confused with him, with my powers, with everything. Fuck, I don’t even know what he does all day. Probably yanks it so he doesn’t have to bother with me.”
“I’m sure that isn’t right.” Theo laughed and shook her head. “You are super hot, Rids, and he is sleeping in your bed.”
“Well thanks, Theo. That wasn’t in question, only my fuckability. Friends can sleep in the same bed.”
“And Million. Honestly? Aside from the sexy dream you aren’t thinking about him?”
She considered this. “I am. I mean as a friend. You know, aside from you guys, and Ria, I don’t actually have friends.” Saul had kept her so far removed from the majority of Light Court because of the sons all trying to snag her because of the company, she didn’t really have relationships outside of her family and the Anointed. “Being princess opened a lot of friendship doors for me, but I’m still largely alone, and haven’t made a friend on my own in years.”
“So, you think Million could be a friend?”
“Yeah. I mean he’s very nice, and I’m sure he has interests past the Grave prince and inking people. Not that I have any issue with either. He did give me his card,” she offered. “Said if I needed a demon again, to call him.”
The sly smirk on Theo’s face said it all. “Well, maybe you do need a demon. Maybe you need to give him a call and see if he can scratch that itch.”
“Theo, I’m not chasing a dude that hasn’t shown any interest aside from friendship.”
“So maybe you need a demon BFF, though that dream tells me you just need a good fucking with a familiar face.”
“Probably.”
“At least you have your B-O-B. I mean they never let you down, right?”
Sadly, she didn’t even have time to herself to work out any kinda tension. “Normally I would say yes but that’s been lacking, too. Just the possibility of getting caught...”
“Isn’t thrilling?” Theo grinned.
“No, it’s upsetting. That I live with an eons old god that’s been without for ages, and he won’t touch me, and I’m so starved for attention I’m taking matters into my own hands... If he caught me, I would be so embarrassed.”
“Why? We all got needs and clearly he isn’t living up to that side of the job description.”
“Because I shouldn’t have to resort to B-O-B. Not when he’s there.” She groaned. “Ugh, I’m sorry I’m whining.”
“In this case, Rids, it’s valid. We all need to vent and you more so than others.”
“I guess.”
“Look, it sucks but just try not to think about it. I know it’s hard, but fuck, things could be worse. Saul could be marrying you off to one of those jokers from court.”
“Sex would probably be involved.”
“Yeah, bad sex,” she quipped and rolled her eyes. “No sex is better than bad sex. And honestly, Rids, answer me this. This Million. Do you like him?”
She nodded. “I do. He’s a good egg.”
“Then hang out with him. You aren’t going to meet any guard sitting at work, or you would have already. Maybe Old Nether Reaches can introduce you to some dudes that end up being yours. People come into our lives for a reason, so maybe that’s his. Or maybe he does wanna clean the bats outta your plumbing, in which case, win-win.” She winked. “I hate to do this, but I’m outie. Shower and then a waxing sesh, and you need to get back to work.”
She nodded. “Thanks, Theo.”
“Hey, what are fabulous princess friends for? Kisses.” She hung up.
Looking down at the dark phone, Riddle smiled to herself. Maybe there was something to this Million being a friend thing. She would just have to see...when she had time. Turning back to her screen, she sighed and then frowned. The last hour’s worth of work was wrong. Fuck it. It looked like it was going to be a full day ahead.
C7
Sitting in the lotus position on the loamy moss-covered ground, Riddle tried like hell to concentrate on what it was Tez was trying to teach her but it wasn’t clicking. The fire floating in front of her danced around the water that was spinning in the center, but adding in the air component snuffed it out when it was supposed to make it swell. She was not doing well with these elemental dualities.
“Ugh, I suck at this,” she said as the elements dispersed. Though she knew she was just preoccupied.
Since the conversation with Theo, Million had been creeping into her thoughts more and more. The idea of a friendship with him was enticing, something that could be considered a pure meeting. Not that she had had any sort of time to actually contact him since. It had been insane at work, with the details for the festival, the graphics for the final poster design, and then the scheduling. Being the go-to for it was thrilling but the little things were the ones that bogged her down. What did she care what color bracelets they used for the VIPS or the beer tents? Things like that were dumb.
More, though, she had finally gotten the final roster confirmed and it was amazing that she had gotten all of her first-choice bands to sign on, creating the exact cornucopia of sound she thought would best represent Echo in the mainstream.
Yet her mind kept going back to the smile and the easy way Million had around her. He wanted to be friends she felt, and the least she could do was work with that feeling, maybe have that notion come true.
Throwing herself back on the mossy ground, she looked up to the sky and sighed. Skies like these were made for lovers to enjoy together, lying in the dark, holding hands, talking about their future. She frowned to herself, hating that her mind went there. She was trying like hell to just deal with the apathy coming from her god, the disinterest, but she felt that knot in her core, the one that was inhibiting her, getting tighter. She needed to be open, damn it. Magic wasn’t going to flow easily without being open to it.
She heard a soft chuckle before Tez’s hands were on her shoulders, pushing her back up into sitting position. “The more frustrated you get, the harder it’s going to be,” he said as sat behind her, his long, powerful legs moving on each side of her as he pressed her back against his chest. His cool fingers lightly pressed against her temples and moved in slow circles. “Your mind is a chaos of thoughts and emotions. It’s too clouded for you to concentrate. Take a breath,” he told her.
“Thanks, captain obvious,” she said softly and sighed. She knew that, of course. But it was easier said than done. “I think I just need a break.”
He laughed again, which he seemed to be doing more often the longer he was with her. “I think you need to voice all those things running around in your mind. If you don’t, they’ll just keep going around with no way to free themselves.” He fingers slid from her temples to her shoulders, where he gently kneaded her muscles. “You can talk to me, you know. Despite some legends about me, I’m actually a pretty good listener. Plus, for you, I’ll actually enjoy it.”
“Oddly I haven’t heard any legends about you,” she offered and rolled her shoulders, chewing her bottom lip. Talking to Tez about Million was not really something she had considered, yet she realized she was about to do just that. “Though I’m sure being a good listener does come in handy.”
“That’s most likely the reason you haven’t kicked me out yet. I suggest not going to look for any of those legends.” His thumbs moved up her neck and back down. “Is it the magic that’s bothering you? It shouldn’t, you’re actually doing incredibly well. You have to remember, you’re working with parts of you you’ve never worked with before. It’s like learning to walk for the first time as an adult, after spending the entirety of your life without the use of your legs. You’re just getting started, cualtzin.”
“I don’t have a grasp on it, and I don’t think I will for a while yet,” she said. “It feels far away.” Sticking her legs out in front of her, she pressed the soles of her feet together. “But that’s not the problem, I don’t think...”
“That’s because that isn’t a problem. You have to trust me on that.” He moved his hands and rested them against her thighs. “What do you think the problem is?”
“I’m preoccupied, I guess. My brain has been walking back to the trial,” she said by way of opening. “And how we won...and who one for us.”
“Ah,” Tez said and she could almost feel him smiling. “I did not expect the demon to have such a power. I can’t even remember the last of his demonarchy who had it. It’s not common, considering he can literally destroy a realm if he feels like it. Does his power make you uncomfortable?”
“Not in the least. It’s kinda cool, a complete surprise. Though I don’t think he’s the kinda dude that would destroy realms. He’s too happy, too...good.”
“Grave Court has historically always been that way. I think that’s why their court has control over the dead, Faerie was never worried about them abusing such a power. Your friend, Princess Candiria, I don’t think I’ve ever seen a more cheerful being. Now,” he said, “if you aren’t concerned with the demon’s powers, what is it that is keeping your mind in constant flux? Though, I’m sure I can guess.”
“Oh yeah? Well, tell me what you think, Tez,” she said with a laugh.
“Well, Riddle,” he said with a laugh of his own, “I think you’ve met a nice man, who seems to like to be around you, and you’re wondering if there is something to that. Since you’ve told me before you don’t date and haven’t met any men who you would want to spend time with, meeting someone who might have that possibility probably has you questioning. Am I warm?”
“You’re saying romantically, right? Because I don’t think that’s what this is. He was nice to me, yes, but aside from that, no notion that it could be anything more than a friendship. It’s kinda like dealing with you,” she said with a shrug. “But after talking to Theo, she mentioned that since I don’t meet people, and I’m looking to actually fill my guard so to speak. Maybe all he is is a friend, but maybe he knows someone that would end up in my guard. Theo started talking about people coming into your life for a reason, so...maybe that’s the reason.”
“We’ll get back to the kinda like dealing with me part in a moment,” he said, sounding a little perplexed. But since she couldn’t see his face, she couldn’t be sure. “I also didn’t necessarily mean romantically, just in general. You don’t seem to have a lot of male friends, outside of those who are guards for the other royals. I’m not exactly sure what your stance is on having male friends, from what I’ve seen in my life is some females don’t. In my old sorcerer opinion, if you find someone you think you can have a connection with, no matter on what level, you should try. They don’t come around as often as people think.”
“I’m not against male friends, or any friends actually. Daddy kept me away from the lot of the males, except the Graniers and Cheshire of course, growing up, because they all wanted me for the company. Echo was blessed in business, and they all wanted the business. So, Daddy kept me away from all of them. I didn’t really have a chance to make friends with any, you know? I agree with you, anyone you have a connection with you should pursue.”
“Goes to question then, why are you thinking so much about it? Why don’t you just call him up and say hi?”
“Honestly? Because I know how busy people are, and few people actually answer the phone these days. Theo suggested I just pop into his shop...”
“Seems to me you should listen to Theo.” He turned her slightly so she had to look up at him. “Now that we have that settled, care to tell me what you meant by it’s kinda like dealing with me?” he asked, brows raised.
She snorted and then swallowed. Shit. She didn’t wanna have this conversation with him, feeling like she was a whining girl, and if shit changed after...she wasn’t sure she could handle it either way. Still, she needed to figure things out, or the turbulence in her mind wasn’t going to get any better. “It is kinda like dealing with you and I. This...” she shrugged. “It’s just not going anywhere that it needs to. It’s fucking with me, confusing me and twisting me up.” She shrugged again and stood. “I think that’s why I’m blocked, why I’m fucking detached.” She really didn’t want to say it to him, but opening the flood gates...
He looked up at her, brows still raised. “I can’t say I’m following. Maybe being away for as long as I have, I’m missing something, but exactly what is the way it’s supposed to be going? Are you disappointed in me having found you?”
She shook her head. “Not in the least, Tez. I’m disappointed because you haven’t fucking touched me.” She sighed. “You have been here how long? We have been sharing a bed for how long?” She shrugged. “This is not how princesshood should go. I shouldn’t feel like I’m fucking broken because the god that’s meant to be mine that I’m supposed to fucking bond with in all things is more interested in teaching me magic than giving me an orgasm. I shouldn’t feel detached from myself because still I’m not good enough for someone to want me just for me. It’s either my family business, or my magic.” She groaned.
“Fuck, I didn’t want to say anything. But, it’s fine. Don’t worry, I’ll get over it, I always do.” She leaned down and grabbed her flats. “I’m sorry to throw that shit on your doorstep, just chalk it up to my hormones or something. I’m going to go have a shower, and then I need to get in for the overnight.” She turned and started walking away, tears threatening to flow. Blowing up at him was not in the cards for the night, and she knew it wasn’t fair to him at all. He had his ways about shit. She just needed something else to distract her from the gnawing pit inside her that felt hollow.
“Riddle,” she heard him call out to her. “You can’t say things like that then walk away.”
Turning, she looked through the unshed tears at him. “I’m sorry, Tez,” she said softly. “I didn’t mean to throw that shit on you, and I shouldn’t have. You didn’t deserve that.” A tear fell and she sighed. So much for not crying through this.
Gods, she felt so...stupid, so fucking immature, so inert. Everything felt stagnant, just waiting. She knew it wasn’t only his fault, she was at fault, too, especially because he wasn’t like the other gods in any sense. He didn’t see things the same and she couldn’t fault him that. Ever. He was hers and whatever that meant, ultimately, she would embrace.
“You say I don’t touch you, but I touch you every time you’re in my vicinity. You say I only want you for your magic? Riddle, I don’t need your magic, I have my own, more than every fae in existence has put together. I practice magic with you because I’m the one, the only one, who can help you gain control over it. It will come upon you in an instant and if you don’t know how to work with it, it could consume and destroy you. Do you honestly think I would allow anything bad to happen to you?” He took a step closer to her.
“It seems like sex is important to you. Orgasms are important to you, somehow tied into your self-worth.” He shook his head. “I can’t understand that and maybe that’s a flaw of my own. But, cualtzin, when is the last time you touched me?” He looked over his shoulder at where they had been sitting. “The entire time we sat there and talked,” he said before turning around and looking at her, “my hands were on you but yours weren’t on me.”
“You are right, of course, Tez...” she said softly. “Casual touch has never been a thing I indulged in, not since my mother died. Never noticed it really till now,” she sighed with a small, bitter laugh. “So, I am sorry, though I don’t know what’s even right in the situation. Casual affection confuses me, I think. Like I don’t feel like I have the right to touch someone unless we are intimate, and I know they welcome it. I’m sorry, Tez. Like I said, I’ll work past it. I didn’t mean to hurt you, if I did.” She reached for his hand and squeezed, trying.
“You don’t need to apologize for how you feel, Riddle. You just can’t expect me to know what you want. I am not a god who you can place in a box, one you can compare to others. I’m not like those you have been around. My life has never revolved around sex, not when I have the power, the magic that I do. Anyone can come, not many can experience the soul-changing pleasure of having magic flow through them. When I work with you on your magic, that’s intimate. That’s a connection no one else in any realm can have with you.”
“I’m glad you see it that way, Tez...I am. I’m going to try to as well.” She gave him a small smile. Knowing inside her she needed the physical connection, she didn’t want to go into any of the needs for the physicality of it all with him. He wasn’t wired that way, it wouldn’t click with him. And she was okay with that. She would just have to keep working on things, and hope that knot inside her loosened enough to let the magic flow through her, like it should be doing now. She knew a lot was riding on her, and she wasn’t happy about disappointing anyone.
He stared at her for long moments before he nodded. “How about you go take your shower and get ready for your night.” He put his hands in his pockets and took a step back. “And Riddle, if you want a physical intimacy with me, it’s not something I would have realized before how much you needed it. I’m not a man who forces himself on a woman when said woman has made no claim to wanting her hands on me.” He shifted then, his large, dark spotted jaguar form inched closer to her. He rubbed his side against her leg before taking off into the forest.
She sighed. He was right. Any other dude and her sharing a bed, kissing him good morning all those mornings ago would have given him the green light. She saw where she fucked up with him. Still, she didn’t want to be the one to initiate it with him or anyone really. She wanted them to want her, so badly that they needed her like air. Needed her to want them as well. And maybe Tez was like that, maybe. It sucked being so fucking wrong about everything and being so scared about it that everything was confusing.
Walking back toward the Sithen, she wasn’t sure what she was going to do but work called, and she had a job to do, so her pseudo love life would have to wait, at least till they both had time to process.
Chapter
Rome itself was huge, and considering she didn’t speak Italian, Riddle was quickly becoming lost. Looking once more at the info for the shop Million had told her about, she walked into the closest store, praying to Faerie that someone inside spoke English and could direct her to where she needed to go.
Ten minutes, some broken English and a map drawn, she was on her way, just three blocks and an alley to Million’s tattoo shop.
Standing in front of it, she smiled to herself, blackout windows, copper filigree around the windows, the sign out front a true sign. It was old school wood and paint spelling out Beyond the Grave Tattoos above a drawing of a gravestone, below stating it was established 2004. Even the open sign was wooden and hand-lettered. It was pretty freaking cool, and fit the man who owned it to a T.
Readjusting the box of cupcakes she brought with her as a thank you, she opened the heavy door, and walked into the oddly bright interior, a soft tone preceding her. Music greeted her, though she didn’t recognize the artist, most likely because the lyrics were all in Italian, though hard rock was hard rock, no matter what language it was in.
She walked up to the counter, her eyes darting to and fro as she took in the inner décor. Flash on the walls, the paint a basic white with copper accents. It was clean and minimalistic, but enhanced the art on the walls.
The counter was a steel bar, looking like an oversized toolbox with the way the steel was beveled. Behind her, against the wall of blackout windows, was a black loveseat and two copper-colored chairs, the latter with the symbol of a minotaur burned into the leather, with a coffee table and what looked like his portfolio on the surface.
Turning, she sat and picked up the portfolio, starting to flip through. Personally done flash, macabre, horror, esoteric, and portraits, the majority of his work was all fine lines. Though it was clear his love was for the darker and graveyard designs. He was good, super good.
“Sarò proprio lì,” she heard him say over the music and the steady buzzing of his machine. Moments later the buzzing stopped. “English or Italian?” he called out again.
She smirked to herself. “English. And I come bearing sugar,” she said loudly as she got up from her seat and walked over to the bar.
“Hey, I know that voice,” he called back as the music got turned down. “Come on back here. Trust me, Gustavo won’t mind.” She walked around the wall that separated the waiting area and the work area to find Million sitting in a chair next to a man who was lying down, his shirt off, the entirety of his back outlined with what had to be some ancient Roman battle. Million sat back and grinned at her. “Well, this is certainly a surprise. You came all the way to Rome just to bring me sugar? Damn, I must have done something good in my last life,” he said, eyes moving to the box she was holding. Gustavo leaned up and glanced over his shoulder. “There is nothing in any life you have ever done to get a woman who looks like that to come see you. Must be a pity visit.”
“You do realize I’m the one with full control over what’s going on your back, you little shit,” Million said with a laugh.
She laughed. “I wouldn’t mess with a man who can finish writing Surrender Dorothy in the sky over that battle,” she said to Gustavo and then looked to Million. “I thought you deserved them since, you know, you helped me with that thing you did and last time I was here Ria and I housed a dozen cupcakes and all...”
Gustavo looked confused. “Is that one of those American sayings that makes no sense?” Million laughed.
“Pretty much. Ignore this one, Riddle, pretty sure he doesn’t understand most sayings in Italian either.” He glanced at the box again. “Do you know Ria almost bit me last time I was there and tried to grab a cupcake? You two are brutal.” He smiled at her. “How many of those did you eat on the way over here?”
“Oh...none. I had my own.” She winked. “I would have come by sooner but work has been hellish. First chance to get away. But you are busy so...I’ll drop these and get back...”
“Actually,” he turned his machine back on and made a few more passes over Gustavo’s back before turning it back off and setting it on his worktable. “We’re done for the day,” he said and cleaned off the tattoo before sealing it. “I’ll see you next week for the next session.” Gustavo pushed himself off the table and gave Million a one-armed hug. “That you will. Riddle,” he said, turning to her and grabbing his shirt, “definitely a pleasure. Though I can point out several locations with much better company than this little fuck.”
“Get the fuck out my shop, you asshole,” Million said with a laugh as he pulled off his gloves and watched Gustavo leave. He stood, cracking his neck to either side. He wore a pair of tight well-worn jeans tucked into his boots, laces undone, and a black t-shirt with his tattoo logo on it in copper. “Your timing is actually perfect. For the last hour I’ve been sitting there dreaming of baked goods and then you walk through my door.”
“I never expected to be the cupcake fairy but I’m happy to stand in,” she said and shook her head. “Just you here? Big shop for a single artist. Saw your portfolio...you got skills.”
“Just me today. I’ve got three other guys that work here, too, all part of Grave.” He nodded toward the front before heading that way. “We all specialize in something different, so who’s here depends on what someone wants. Sit,” he said before sitting in one of the chairs and smiling at her. “I like to think I got skills. You have any ink on you? If not, you have to let me pop your cherry.”
She shook her fingers at him, the little symbols above and below her finger joints flashing at him. “These are the newest, like...a year or so? I have others,” she grinned, passing her hand over her hip and then the side of her torso, “but my normal guy is doing a dime right now so...no more work for a while from him.” His good-natured smile made her smile back at him. Much like Ria, it was infectious.
“That’s right, you did tell me about those and how your tattoo artist was behind bars at the moment.” He laughed. “Well damn, I do so enjoy popping the first tattoo cherry. Guess I’ll have to settle on cupcakes. Hand one over and tell me how your music festival is going.”
“Now hang on, I didn’t say I wasn’t interested in work, but...” She opened the box, and presented them to him. “And I got the big ones...don’t tell Ria.”
“Are you kidding?” he said as he took one from her. “I plan on heading over there tonight and singing about it at the top of my lungs. It’s fun getting her all riled up.”
“She’s pregnant and wild, Million, don’t you dare. One of us would get stabbed with a fork. Barden said she stabbed Niko the other day for being a shit.” She laughed. “Sweet, lovely Ria gets wild when it’s cupcakes.”
“Ria stabbing Niko is foreplay, not a punishment,” he said with a laugh as he peeled the paper off from around his cupcake. “You haven’t told me about your festival yet,” he managed to get out before taking a huge bite.
“Lots going on with that,” she offered and crossed her legs and sat back. “I didn’t think it would be such a massive undertaking but...it’s kinda amazing. Looks like a bunch of the courts are going to be helping as well. Theo and Devil and Hart are going to be doing goodie bags for the talent, as well as the Tallos family doing a big booth of their adult chocolates. I think they are even working with Blutfeuer to supply the booze for them. But it’s getting done. I will say I’m quite excited about the lineup, though. Each band I wanted agreed to play and for the festival rate, provided we keep them in rotation on the channels for the next year.”
It took him a second to respond considering he was inhaling his cupcake. “That’s amazing. Must be seriously exciting. You know, since I helped you out with that whole game thing, think you might be able to procure me a ticket?” He smiled at her, slow and utterly charming.
“Oh, I think I could manage even an All-Access Pass for that win,” she quipped. “And a hotel room,” she said, picking at the black polish on her nails. Watching him grab another cupcake, her eyes were on his long fingers as they held the cake delicately, and pulled the paper off the bottom. Chocolate with raspberry filling, with white chocolate shavings on top. His eyes were all starry. And fuck, that smile probably felled a lot of women in his time. Not to mention the fluent Italian.
“Damn, I need to win more of those things. I had no idea of the perks.” He laughed. “Exactly where is this festival? Ria’s been talking about it but never did mention the where. Pretty much just talking about how she and Carnex are going to dance until they drop.”
“Artfield Park and Campground in Illinois,” she said. “My dad has a silent partner in procuring the space, though I think it’s Leo Granier...very little goes on in the hospitality business without his fingers in it,” she said. “Though there’s several hotels close enough, and all the VIPS and talent will be put up at one of the larger hotels close by.” She leaned forward. “Anyone special you wanna see?”
“I don’t particularly follow any one band, I just like music, all of it,” he said with a shrug. “Seriously, there isn’t a genre of music I don’t listen to. Some days you’ll walk into this shop and I’ll have on opera, others techno pop, then you’ll come back a few hours later and some dude will be screaming in German. All depends on the art I’m working on.”
“Makes sense. Music evokes a feeling, a state of mind. It would be smart to focus what you hear in the same vibration as the work you are putting out there as art. Art begets art.” Leaning back again, she placed her ankle on her knee. She noticed it was the first time in a while she wasn’t severely fidgeting, or overly nervous. But then again, Million had that effect on people, just like Ria.
“I’ve been known to dance to Britney in the graveyard with Ria.” He grinned at her. “Just don’t tell anyone.”
“Oh, your secret is safe with me. Not that anyone wouldn’t believe me. Ria has that effect on people. Except me. If we go dancing it’s the 8os dark wave and goth.” She grinned. “Though I have mad love for Britney.”
“Ria in a goth club...” He started to laugh. “Why can I picture her doing that but wearing something like bubblegum pink? You know, you’re the first close female friend she’s ever really had. I mean she’s always been this incredibly happy, fun girl, but there is a new layer to it now that she has you in her life. My court means the world to me, so seeing my princess even happier? Well, thank you for that.”
“Hey, it’s the same for me. Before meeting Ria, the only chicks I saw on a regular basis were fifty plus,” she said of the Anointed. “Being the youngest had its drawbacks. So, when we met, we clicked I think...she’s the other half of me. Like if we were raised together...”
“We’re all still raising Ria so...” He polished off his second cupcake. “Though, you seem to be already raised. How old are you anyway? Or am I not supposed to ask that since you’re a woman?”
“Aside from Queen Senara, I’m the youngest princess at twenty-eight,” she offered. “All the girls are already in their thirties. Ria said you guys were close in age.”
“Just turned thirty-five a few months ago. I’m what you would consider a baby demon. I have a half-brother who’s almost a hundred and five.”
“Jesus wept,” she said. “I mean I know there’s like old as fuck people in Faerie. Hell, Willomena is like in the two hundreds and I know Niko is a fucking fossil...but seeing it put it out there like that. Absolutely crazy.”
“I am what you would call a surprise. My dad didn’t plan on having any more children and then I show up.” He shrugged but there was a grin on his face. “Don’t even ask me how old he is. I don’t think I can count that high.”
“Both your parents Abramelin? Sorry I have like no idea about demons or anything. If it was rude...”
“My dad is, not so sure about my mom, though. He’s never said. When I said I showed up, I literally just showed up one day. I think I was a couple weeks old. My dad found me in a basket on his doorstep and knew I was his. See, Abramelin demons are born with horns, we keep them through puberty and then lose them anywhere between twenty-five and forty. It’s a weird fucking trait.”
“Lose them?” she frowned. “That’s...why would you lose them? Horns are kinda awesome. So do they just fall out like baby teeth or what?”
“Pretty much. Told you, it’s weird as fuck. None of us have any idea why it is. Apparently back in the day, the horns were a permanent thing. I always figured that when we started to immigrate into human culture and the human realm, our bodies started to adjust to our surroundings. I mean, our horns are actually really small to begin with, so it’s easy to hide them, and only the males get them. But life is a lot easier not having to deal with someone seeing the damn things. If we all had a Caspera around, it would make life in the human world easier.”
"The blacksmith is handy dandy," she agreed. "So, no hidden horns? Anything else mark your demonarchy? I have always been fascinated with the different factions. "
“Lost my horns a couple years back. Wasn’t all that sad to see them go, honestly. I like when women run their fingers through my hair,” he said with a grin. “Now, let’s see, our demonarchy is based around destruction, so every power set we have is based in that. We’re also a little different in that we don’t have our own realm, like most demonarchies. We are strictly Grave, the majority still live there. Hell, I just moved a few years back to the human section of Rome.”
“And without horns and all...” she teased. “You got pictures of you with the horns?” she asked. “Extras always fascinated me. We don’t get much of anything at Echo, just magic we haven’t been able to really harness...though the males all tend to have mismatched eyes.” Her mind ran through the idea of running her fingers through his hair. She would have liked to find that kind of surprise.
“Actually, not much of Nightmare has extras. We leave that to you guys over at Light.” He leaned his head back and looked up at the ceiling as if he was thinking. “I might have a picture or two in my apartment, but considering how much hair I have,” he said, brushing his dark hair off his forehead, “you can’t really see them.”
“Shame,” she said in a pout. “But it’s probably like super faux pas to just feel up someone’s appendages. So how do you like living in Rome? My apartment was in the human realm...technically still is though I don’t live there.”
“I guess it depends on what appendage it is and who you’re talking to.” He got up and walked behind the counter and came back with two bottles of water, handing her one. “Oh, I love living here. It’s probably one of the most beautiful cities I’ve ever been to. The people are amazing. And business is good. I actually live upstairs, so makes the commute to work short.” He unscrewed the cap and took a long pull before setting it on the table. “How’s things going at the Sithen? Must be pretty cool to watch something grow from a plot of land to a magic house.”
“Weird?” she said in question. “I mean I didn’t really get to see it happen, I laid my stone and a few weeks later there was a house there, and super lush gardens. Apparently, things change all the time, are added, but it’s like waiting for a flower to bloom...you don’t get to see it happen. Like I’ll take a walk around and it’s just trees but the next day there’s stones jutting from the ground covered in moss or there’s a bog where hard earth used to be. I have been told its wild magic looking to settle, so it is kinda cool. I never know what I’ll wake up to.” She chose to not comment on the appendage remark, she really walked into that one, though with Ria she would have answered that differently.
“Sounds like Dank Court. Gobeth’s Sithen is a living, breathing entity. Every time I’m there, there is something different growing on the walls, and I mean the inside walls. Pretty sure hers is wild magic, too, so it makes sense.”
“I have only been to Outura Ken once, and didn’t get the grand tour,” she said. “I should confer with her on it, though mine is more outside than in. Just a huge black A-frame house with more windows than walls.”
“I remember,” he said. “Though, I only got a quick view of it before we jumped through a portal. You’ll have to let me come by sometime and get the grand tour. You heading over to Grave after you leave here or do you need to get back to the States?”
“Anytime you wanna pop over, Million. Our champion is always welcome at the Air Court.” She smiled. “I need to get back at some point, and I have to go to Grave either way since my Sithen doesn’t have the ability to have extra portals so I kinda gotta portal jump. Why? I’m not holding you up, am I? I didn’t mean to.”
“Not even a little. Figured if you didn’t have to be back anytime soon, I’d see if you want to get some food. As much as I wish I could eat baked goods all day, I probably should have something with some substance. And one thing we have the best of here, it’s food.”
“That’s what I hear, Niko mentions all the time that few places in the world rivals Rome for food,” she offered. “But I could eat,” she said brightly. “If you are serious, of course...”
“Not always, but in this instance, very. There’s this little café a block away, best osso buco.” He stood up and went back over to his counter and grabbed his keys. “And of course, there is the panna cotta.”
“Never had either...don’t know what they are actually.” She laughed and stood, smoothing her capris down, slipped her hand into her jacket pocket and walked forward.
The smile he gave her made him look like a little kid who got his first toy truck. “I might not get to pop your tattoo cherry, but this might be even better. I get to pop your food cherry.” He pushed open the door for her then locked up before offering her his arm. “You ready for a food orgasm, Ms. Echo?”
Laughing, she nodded and took his arm. “Obviously. Who wouldn’t be ready for an orgasm, regardless of the kind?”
“I have no argument for that logic,” he said with a laugh.
“Well then, I am at your mercy, Million. I’m trusting you with my taste buds here...don’t make me regret it.” She winked up at him as they started to walk. “What you are promising is a tall order, and I gotta be honest, I have been fooled before. You ever have a Chicago-style hotdog? My brother Duke swears they are ambrosia...I happen to disagree.”
“I have but I’m not going to tell you I agree with Duke because I don’t want to end up with an elbow in my ribs.” He looked down at her with a grin. “But I can promise, this is way better than any hotdog, or pizza, or hoagie. If there is one thing I know, it’s food. Lucky for me, my metabolism is my other superpower, which is why I can eat like a twelve-year-old boy.”
“That’s something to admit to.” She laughed and shook her head. “You don’t smell like a twelve-year-old boy, so that’s kudos for you. What are your feelings on pizza in general...New York or Chicago?”
“Naples,” he said. “You Americans and your New York or Chicago pizza. I’m going to take you to Naples and then you’ll discover what a real pizza is supposed to taste like.”
“See, I can’t play this game with you,” she said as they turned the corner. “You have better options.”
“Sweetheart, that just means I’m going to have to open your eyes, and your taste buds, to what real food is.” He stopped in front of a little café with outside seating and pulled out a chair for her at one of the open tables. “We’ll start with that now.”
Chapter
Standing outside the Grave Court Sithen, Riddle wasn’t sure how she came to have a pseudo date with Million. They had had dinner, her trying the osso buco for the first time, and loved it, and then the panna cotta which might be her new favorite outside of a good cupcake. They had talked, laughed and ate a ton, and it had been so fun, so relaxing. Million was totally a dude she could hang out with. There was no malaise with him, no bad feelings. He was genuinely happy and took everything in stride.
But it did kinda feel like a date. Especially with him squiring her to the restaurant and back to the Sithen.
The walk back was awesome, and the minutes had flown by, and now, just inside of the large gates that were the boundary of the Sithen’s outer grounds and the human realm, she didn’t really want her night to end.
When she took a step toward the front door of the eerie looking castle, the exterior looking as if it was one strong wind away from crumbling, Million reached out and took her hand, pulling her to a stop. “You have any free nights coming up that I might be able to convince you to get that slice of pizza with me? Maybe check out the San Gennaro Catacombs?”
She blinked. Was he...was he asking her out on a date? Giving him a small smile, she tried like hell to not get her hopes up. “Oh? They more terrifying than the catacombs here at the Sithen? Ria keeps telling me to just go skip about but I’m a bit hesitant to do so.” She took a step back to him. “But I could be down for pizza. That is, are you asking me out, Million?”
“Catacombs aren’t terrifying,” he said with a chuckle. “Though if you do get scared, I promise to hold your hand.” Which he was still doing. He smiled at her, seeming to be entertained by her last question. “Do you mean am I asking you out on a date, Riddle? Yes, I’m asking you out on a date. Though, if you prefer to keep it completely casual and go as friends, I’m good with that, too. I like you, you’re fun to be around.”
“I...” she said, unsure about how she felt. Did she like him? Yes. Did she want to date him? Possibly. “You are fun to be around, too.” She realized she wasn’t all twisted up inside standing there, there was no confusion, no anxiety, no fear. “I mean...we could go on a date,” she said and cocked her head. It wasn’t like he didn’t know what her life was supposed to be like, the man had petitioned for another princess once upon a time.
“See, that wasn’t as hard as you thought it would be. I mean, we kinda had a practice date tonight. I promise it wasn’t my intention when I suggested it. Halfway through dinner, though, I realized I wanted to do it again.” He took a step closer to her and let go of her hand. “You tell me when your schedule is clear and we’ll figure it out.”
“Oh...” she said with a smile. “Yeah, I can do that. Won’t be for a few days I guess, I promised my dad I would do the family dinner thing since I keep bricking on him,” she babbled. “But...call me? Or text?”
“I can do both,” he said with a smile. Then he leaned in and kissed her. No warning, no hesitation. All of a sudden, his lips were against hers in the softest, sweetest kiss anyone had ever given her. It didn’t last long and it didn’t go any further than his lips against hers. When he stepped back, he was smiling at her again. “Figured we should get that out of the way now so I wouldn’t have to wonder the next time I see you if you want me to do that. Now I’ll just wonder if you want me to do it again.”
A blush crept up her neck and she swallowed, unsure what to say, but not surprised to feel warm and fuzzy all over. “I...” she stammered and then smiled and licked her bottom lip. “You taste like panna cotta.”
“So do you.” The man was still grinning at her. Then again, he always seemed to be smiling. “I’ll call you in a few days and we’ll set up that date. Have a pleasant evening, Ms. Echo,” he said as he started to walk backward toward the gate, keeping his eyes on her.
“You, too, Million,” she said and wiggled her fingers at him. “Safe home.”
He turned around and disappeared into the darkness, but she could have sworn she heard him whistling.
Turning herself, she opened the door to the Sithen and walked through, her fingertips going to her lips. Did that just happen?
“Whoa, Rids...” She looked up to see Geddy coming around the corner. “Didn’t expect to see you.” He stopped walking. “You okay?” She nodded. “Cool, I don’t know where Ria is but I’m sure you will find her,” the golem said before walking past her and down the side hall.
A giggle sounded from down the hall before Kol came toddling into view, his stuffed minotaur dragging behind him. “Ri Ri!” he called to her as he ran past her, Carnex close on his heels. “Hey, Riddle,” the demon said. “Ria is out on the back deck if you’re looking for her.
She waved at the toddler and nodded to Carnex. “Thanks!” Going the way they came, she made her way through the labyrinthine halls to the doors that led to the back deck where she found Ria and Niko sitting, looking up at the sky.
“I’m not interrupting, am I?” she said as she approached.
“Nope, I still got my clothes on,” Ria said as she got up and rushed over to Riddle, giving her a hug. “I thought you already came through and went home hours ago. Did you go exploring?”
“I...I went to dinner with Million?” she said, holding Ria’s hand after they embraced.
“I’d say that was exploring,” Niko said from his seat facing away from them.
“Oh!” Ria said, her eyes getting wide. “Did you do a little demon exploring, too? Like...” She bobbed her brows before giving a delighted squeal. “I can’t believe I’m such an idiot! I totally should have hooked the two of you up!”
“What? No... Oh my god, no. We went out for osso buco and panna cotta, and while I still don’t understand what they both are, they are quite yummy,” she said.
“Where did he take you?” Niko asked.
“Some little place around from his shop?”
“Okay, giving him points for that,” the gruff bastard offered.
Ria pouted at her and pulled her over to where Niko was sitting. Her friend climbed on her guard’s lap and snuggled against him. “Well, I still should have thought of it. He’s the sweetest, well, the second sweetest man, like, ever.” She looked at Niko. “You’re not the first, in case you were wondering.” She kissed him before turning to Riddle. “But now I have to wonder if you just meant the food was yummy... What do you think, Niko?”
“I think this might not be the conversation for me. I’m too old, too cranky for girl talk about what amounts to my kid’s second hero,” he said and grinned. “And I’m nowhere near sweet. I’m sour, remember?”
“Every girl needs a little sour in her life,” Ria said with a grin before looking at Riddle. “Well, did you have a fun day? If I would have known you were going to be coming back so late, I would have had Geddy or Ariton walk you back.”
“Million walked me back here,” she said offhandedly. “But yes, I did have a good time. He’s easy to talk to, and has good taste in food.”
Niko looked at Ria. “And he walked her home,” he said with a sly smile.
“Of course, he did,” Ria said, “he’s a gentleman. But did you notice Riddle’s cheeks are a little pink?” She started to whisper, “I think she might like him.”
“I think it wasn’t just a walk back,” Niko said, his grin getting wider. “I think she got some...what does Barden call it, some ‘lip action’?”
“You know, Niko, you are totally cut out for girl talk,” Riddle said, feeling the blush rush back up her neck.
“Well?” Ria asked, bouncing a bit on Niko’s lap. “Tell me, tell me! Did you get some lip action? Oh my gods, you two would be so so so so cute together!”
“Please tell her. She keeps bouncing like this and I can’t be held accountable for what I end up doing to her.”
Riddle laughed and shook her head. “He gave me a small kiss on the lips. No tongue, no biting, just a sweet kiss,” she said. “And he asked me on a proper date for pizza and catacombs...” she frowned. “Or what I assume is a proper Grave Court date.”
“He’s taking you to Naples?” Ria asked, her eyes getting large again before she squealed and clapped her hands. “Oh, that’s so romantic. Niko took me to the catacombs once. There are some hidden spots that no one ever goes to.” She looked at Niko. “You need to make sure Million knows where those spots are.”
“I don’t think she wants to come back pregnant like you did, dove,” he said with a wry smile. “That’s what those spots are good for.”
“I would prefer that didn’t happen, yes,” Riddle agreed with him. “I guess...if the catacombs are in Naples? I don’t know much about Italy. It took me a goddamn hour to find his shop. I need to learn Italian.”
“Million can teach you, he’s already teaching Kol.” Ria was still grinning like a loon. “Oh, this is like the best thing ever. Just think, if you fall in love with Million, then our courts would be joined.” She sighed. Her friend was forever the romantic. “When are you going out again? I’m going to want the play by play of the entire thing.”
“I think you are putting the cart before the horse, Ria,” she said and leaned back in her seat. “It’s just a date. I don’t want to read too much into it, you know? Things are already hectic at home. As to when? I don’t know, I got that dinner with Daddy and the twins coming up...can’t keep putting him off, you know?”
“I always put the cart before the horse because the horse is happier when it’s leading. I promise not to make more of it than it currently is,” she said with a sigh. “I just want everyone to be as happy as I am, and Million is the best. And since you’re the best...”
“They should be the best together,” Niko finished for her.
“I know he offered for Alyx back in the day, so I know he is destined for guardship. I just don’t want to get my hopes up. He’s a really nice guy and his love for cupcakes almost rivals yours. Both things I value in a male.”
Ria cleared her throat and placed her hands on her thighs, straightening her back. “If it ends up going somewhere then that would be wonderful,” she said in a calm voice. “If not, that’s okay, too. I just want you to be happy, Riddle.” She looked at Niko and stuck her tongue out at him. “See, I can be levelheaded when I need to be.”
“She knows it’s a sham,” he said and grinned. “I can feel your ass vibrating on me, dove...”
“Is there a reason for that?” Riddle asked, eyebrow raised.
“Not that I know of,” Niko said. “Though she was with Barden earlier...”
Ria made a face at him. “You like it when I vibrate on you, so hush. I’ll change the subject. How’s everything at the Sithen? Anything new pop up?”
“Not that I noticed. He still won’t let me in the treehouse. I think it’s because the house isn’t grounded enough and things are still in flux.” She sighed. “Everything else is just...normal? I get up, I work on magic, I go to work, I come home, I sleep. There’s usually food in there as well.”
“You don’t sound as excited as you should, but with the festival coming up, that makes sense. You have a lot on your plate. When it’s over, you’ll be able to enjoy things more,” Ria said with a nod. “Is Tez settling in?”
“I guess? I honestly don’t have one clue what he does all day when I’m not there,” she laughed. “But he seems it.” She shrugged. “Things between us are tense but I’ll figure it out.”
“Oh no,” her friend said with a frown. “What’s wrong? Is he being mean to you? If he is, I’ll send Ariton over there to straighten him up.”
Laughing, she shook her head. “No, Tez is never mean to me, Ria, so don’t think that for a minute.”
“So, what’s the issue?” Niko said.
She shrugged again. “I feel stupid saying it so...I just won’t.”
“I’m your best friend, Riddle, there is nothing you can’t tell me. You know that. I can kick Mr. Cranky back in the house if you want.”
“Oh no, you don’t. This is just getting good,” Niko said. “Come on, Riddle, tell us what’s wrong.”
Sighing, she threw up her hands. “We don’t have sex.”
“Like...at all?” Niko frowned. “Fuck’s sake, Riddle. That’s one hell of a secret.”
“Dude,” Ria said, “I don’t have sex with three of my guards. And you guys haven’t known each other long...” Her face squished up as if thinking. “Did he turn you down?”
“Nope, just haven’t. You have a reason for yours, Ria, you only wanted Barden and Niko like that,” she said. “I don’t have those kinda limitations.”
“So, it’s just not...intimate?” Niko asked.
“It is, but not sexy. We sleep in the same bed most nights...I mean when I’m home for nights. But he’s just not wired for it,” she said softly. “I do respect that, you know? They can’t all be you, you beast.”
Niko laughed. “No, no they can’t.”
“And you are right, we barely know each other. But I feel like...you’re sleeping with me, but nothing else...it’s confusing as hell. And don’t tell me to jump him, Ria. I’m not built like that.” She smiled at her friend. “I honestly feel like the confusion is making this more of a disconnect. My magic isn’t really growing, and I feel like my house has stagnated because I don’t feel grounded, like I’m loved and wanted.” She stood. “I know, I know. It’s stupid...”
“No, it’s not stupid,” Niko said.
Ria held out both of her hands, palms up. “You’re not built like that...he’s not built like that.” She moved her hands up and down. “Sounds like an equal opportunity not fucking each other scenario. You’re gonna have to figure out how to meet in the middle. You also don’t have to jump him. Just tell him you want him naked.” She shrugged. “Totally works for me. That way you put it right out there. I know you, Riddle, you’ll just tell him it’s okay and you’ll change. Well, I think that’s bullshit. Just tell him you want him and let the chips fall where they may. Unless you don't really want him and you just think you're supposed to want him, which is what is making you all confused.”
“I wanted him the second we met. I felt it everywhere,” she said. “But I don’t want it at the cost of me saying so. I want him to want me so badly that he seduces me...without saying so.”
Niko sighed. “She wants what you and Barden have, what we had immediately. The chemistry,” he said by way of explanation. “And she’s not going to get it with the god. He’s a good guy, but he’s just not built like that. He’s not like the rest of them. Talking to him for the few minutes I did at the game told me that. But I can understand why you want that, Riddle.”
Riddle nodded. “So here we are. I’m just...walking through it all, I guess. I will figure it out, you know?”
Ria rolled her eyes. “Just because she doesn’t have that with the god, doesn’t mean she’s not going to have it. I have it with you and Barden, yes, I also jumped you and Barden. I don’t have that with Carnex or Ariton and I mean, come on, no one looks sexier in a suit than my death fae.” She looked at Riddle. “You need to stop thinking you won’t have that. Tez isn’t your heart, Riddle. Everyone who comes to you will be different. You can’t think that’s a fault with you. Faerie wouldn’t have sent him to you if he wasn’t supposed to be with you. You’re a wonderful, amazing, smart, and beautiful woman. Don’t go hiding yourself because you think you need to figure things out. Don’t miss out on what the two of you can be because of sex. There is so much more to a bond than that.”
“You are right, Ria, of course, but that’s the bond I want. You know how sheltered Daddy kept me, hell, I was surprised to lose my virginity, even though I found out later dude was just after a job at the company, he was just doing his due diligence.” She shrugged, though that still stung. “So, I’m figuring it out. Maybe it would be different if he wasn’t the first to show up. Like without that guarantee that I’m wanted like that... Honestly my confidence is way off. I’m adrift and my mind and magic is, too. I feel like I’m not sure how to act with him, because I don’t have concrete knowledge. We had words the other night,” she said and sighed. “I know I hurt him and I told him I was sorry. He brought a few things to light, and it’s something I’m trying to work on, you know?”
“Please tell me you hexed that asshole,” Niko said of the male she spoke of. “Because if not I want his address to kill him on principle.”
Ria snorted at Niko. “You calling someone an asshole is the funniest thing I’ve heard all day, and I heard Kol try to burp ‘Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star.’” She turned to her. “Riddle,” she said, her voice soft, “you know I love you, you’re my sister, but do you even understand how monumental it is for a god to go looking for you? That’s like a holy shit moment. Gods don’t go after people, they go after the gods. What you have with him is already special. Find a common ground and build on it. I know it must be hard and scary, and I can’t even imagine what’s it’s like for you. You need to have faith, sis. Faith in yourself, faith in him, and faith in Faerie. I know it’s all going to be exactly what you’ve always wanted times a thousand.”
“I’m sure it will be in time. But as of right now, I’m frustrated, I’m emotionally lonely and I’m confused. I’m trying, though.”
“I just want you to be happy, Riddle. This is supposed to be the beginning of the best time of your life. You know, people make fun of me because I’m not exactly the brightest bulb in the bunch, but it means I don’t think too much. Which leads me to be an extremely happy woman.”
“You are one of the biggest lights I have ever, ever had the pleasure of knowing, Ria, and I love that you call me friend. You are everything amazing in this world and fuck any asshole with a strap-on that thinks you’re dumb or stupid. You are the best.” She smiled. “As to happy? I’m getting there. Good things are happening around me all the time. My best friend is pregnant again, my festival is doing awesome things, my familiar has settled on a color and I have a cool Sithen that I love spending time at. I’m learning magic, slowly, and that’s my own fault, but it’s happening. All good things.”
“Magic takes time,” Ria agreed. “It’s not like a power that just moves in and bam, you have it. Auntie has told me it’s like thousands of strings that you have to maneuver just right and I have no doubt you will be amazing at it. You do have a pretty good teacher.” She bit on her bottom lip and made a strangling sound before looking at Niko. “I really want to tell her just to jump the man. I mean, you like it when I jump you and you’ve never told me no when I do. You’re usually incredibly happy about it.”
“She doesn’t want to do that. She wants to be seduced and wanted. She won’t settle for other,” he said and winked at Riddle. “She doesn’t want to make that move. And I don’t blame her. By her own accounts, all her intimacy has been coerced, or a ruse, a means to an end for something else. She wants that purity...and maybe that’s what she’s waiting for. I can understand looking at it as Tez is pure in his own right, finding her on his own because he wanted to be around her, but that’s not what she needs right now. She will find it, of that I have no doubt, dove...and you will be here to hear all about it when it happens, because we all know when it does, she’s going to be all stupid and giggly and all.”
“Hey!” Riddle said.
“Quiet, you know you will,” he offered.
“I have an idea on that, you know,” she whispered to Niko with a giggle then turned to her with her bright, innocent eyes. “I love you, Riddle. Now don’t get too much in your own head or when that man does come along, you’ll be too busy up in there to notice.”
“I won’t hold my breath,” she said. “And don’t go out there buying me a dude either, because that’s not the same thing. It has to be all him. All. Him. Not told nothing. I just want the princess Faerie tale.” She shrugged. “And it’s been real, but I need to get my ass back to the Sithen, I have some remote work to do tonight and take a ritual bath. Tomorrow I’m attempting to use my spell kitchen with Sheridan. Can’t do that with all this flotsam floating around in my aura.” Standing, she smiled. Give me a hug?”
“I will not,” Niko said.
“I wasn’t talking to you, you beast.”
“And I wasn’t talking about buying you someone,” Ria said with a roll of her eyes but she got up and hugged her tight. “Love you more than cupcakes.”
“Oh, I know that’s a lie.” She laughed. “Have a good night with this lunatic,” she winked at Niko. “If she starts vibrating again...”
“Oh, I know just what to do.”
Chapter
Riddle’s spell kitchen was getting its maiden voyage and she wasn’t sure it was such a good idea.
It had been a few days since her outburst with Tez, and she hadn’t seen much of him, aside from a black tail swishing as he made his way through the foliage and underbrush on the grounds. She knew he was upset, and hell, so was she, but she would wait till he was centered enough to come back.
So, it had been several days of work, a nice interlude with Million, which had turned into some texts, but nothing overly taxing, her talk with Ria and now, her scheduled witch and bitch with Sheridan. Even though she didn’t feel anywhere close to ready.
Her magic was still bottled up, literally coming out in small drips and drabs, and she was trying everything to fix it. Well, almost everything. She was still sexually frustrated, and she figured that was probably the focus of it. Letting her aura down with orgasm, getting that release, that communion of the natural, she knew it was a far ways off so she was powering through. She knew it was an easy fix but she wasn’t going to get caught spinning her own wheels...and as wound up as she was, she didn’t think it would do any good to do it herself.
So, she was here, in her spell kitchen with Sheridan, working on a massive stock pot potion of Evernetia, a sleeping potion that worked by vapor. It was one of the more beginner spells in the Anointed grimoire, one that should be mastered for the healing arts.
Riddle did not hold out much hope.
“Okay, so...what color is it?” Sheridan asked as she looked over the large tome. “It should have a slight iridescence to it because of the clava root.”
Riddle looked down from her perch on the step stool she was standing over the pot on. “Yeah, it’s kinda sparkly,” she said. “What now?”
“Simmer for a quarter hour, till the liquid turns pink. Then we add the victeora leaves, and then the wraith’s slipper.”
“Okay,” Riddle turned down the heat to a simmer and then turned and walked over to the main kitchen island, where Sheridan was about to cut the leaves off the victeora plant with pruning shears.
“You’re not that excited. I figured by now you would be buzzing all about and bustling about this kitchen like it was old hat.”
Shrugging, she leaned against the counter. “I haven’t had much time and truth be told I don’t think I’m ready to brew this. My magic is...idling.”
“Nonsense. Anointed females need to be able to brew this and keep it on them as it’s the basis of several other potions that can be used with just a small addition. Now, why are you saying your magic is idling?”
“It just feels like it is,” she said. Like it’s there, I can grasp it but it’s not budging, just kinda revving where it is.”
And why do you think that is?”
“Because I’m nowhere near grounded enough to access it.”
Sheridan smirked. “Well at least you know the reason. Do you know the way around it?”
She nodded. “Yeah, but it’s a bit far off. I’m working through it.”
“Well,” her mentor began, “your magic getting more potent shouldn’t mess with this. Hell, all of us can do this and half of us have very little running through us.”
“Which is another reason why this is frustrating. I know that once it flows unfettered through me, that you guys will all feel it. As the head of Air, it’s what I’m supposed to do.”
“Well, what’s the problem then, kid? Because I don’t see one.”
Sighing, she told Sheridan about the conversation with Theo, the outburst with Tez and the convo with Ria and Niko. She listened quietly and then leaned back on the counter and sighed.
“Tough. And I can see your reluctance.”
“And yet I can’t bring myself to just do what Ria said, jump him, and have it happen.”
“Who says it will? What if you do, and it’s not pure for you and it doesn’t work, and you feel worse for it because you did it? It wasn’t how you needed it to go and now you are stuck with more pent-up energy, bad feelings and despair. You shouldn’t have to compromise what you know in your heart you need for things to work for you so the rest of us can benefit.”
“That’s what a good house head does.”
Sheridan laughed. “In matters of business, politics, state...sure. But that has nothing to do with you as a person, what you need to survive the best way possible. We aren’t ruled by the carnal, but...” she sighed. “Look, kid, I know what you went through with men in your life up until now. Saul didn’t do you any favors keeping you so detached, not in the long run. Sure, he kept you your own, unmarried and thankfully not engaged to a shit like Tanner, but you don’t know how to deal with this correctly. It’s trauma, and you are working through a trauma response on it. You want the fairy tale that’s going to get you settled.” She shrugged and picked up the shears again. “Tez isn’t it.”
“I know. And maybe if I had better experiences before this it wouldn’t matter so much.”
“That’s what I’m saying, kid. I mean you’re no virgin, you have had some wild times, right?”
She shrugged. Through college she did sleep around a bit, but it was always, always initiated by her, because it kept her heart out of it. Physical response was something she could handle, the confusion and the hurt after when she felt invested in someone she couldn’t, so it was all surface. But it shouldn’t be surface with anyone that was meant to be with her forever. “Enough, I guess. I mean I acknowledge I know my own body, and what I like and all, but I just want to be wanted.”
“Which is fucking valid, kid.” The older woman smiled and finished pruning the large leaves off the plant then reached back and pulled her salt, pepper and purple hair into a ponytail. “And I don’t think it is even a thought that your god doesn’t want you. He wanted to meet you enough that he found you. But I get it. You want that sigh, that core clench...that connection. You don’t want to initiate it.”
“When we met, I was hopeful with Tez. He’s so fucking beautiful and sweet, and considerate. I am lucky to have him in my life at all. Everything in me stood up and was at attention, waiting for the spark to turn to wildfire. Sleeping together is lovely but...it’s lonely.” She sighed. “We just aren’t connecting on that level. And I know it’s my fault, too. I know I’m so detached from casual intimacy that I’m ruining this. Fuck, Ria was first to hug me, and she’s my friend.” She slid down the cupboards and onto her butt on the floor. “I want to be okay, I feel defective and it’s worse because I feel lonely.” She sighed and put her head in her hands.
“And this Million? The demon that won for us. What’s up with that?” She gave her a quick rundown of that whole situation and Sheridan grinned wide. “Sounds like someone is interested.”
“That’s what Ria says but...” What if he just wants to be a guard so badly that he’s settling for me?
“Oh no. No self-sabotage here, kid. Damn it, can’t you let yourself have this? Be happy about this? Think about a future with him? I get being worried and guarding your heart but...taking a chance...”
“I know, I won’t know till I let someone in.” And Million, she smiled to herself, the last text conversation they had brightening her. “I can let Million in. I can let them both in. I want to.” And she realized then she wanted them both in her life, however they were most comfortable. She wouldn’t compromise but maybe it wasn’t about compromising.
“Bingo!” Sheridan said. “Things happen in their own time, kid, and you can’t base anything off what the other princesses have experienced because you aren’t them. You know, you were never this morose before. Thalessa would not be happy about this. Her smiling, white-haired perfect daughter. She loved you so much... I think all this black in this place is getting to you.” The duality of mirth and sadness in her mentor’s eyes made her heart clench. Talking about her best friend always got her spinning, but it was less and less in the sad realm.
“You know damn well that’s not true. I love my house. I love this island, and the lake. Everything. I just want things to progress, I want to not feel like an emotional failure. But I’m working on it.”
The timer dinged. “Check the soup.”
Getting off the floor, she hoisted herself up on the step stool and smiled to herself. The water had turned pink, still with its iridescent color swirling throughout. So far so good.
“Now, add the leaves,” Sheridan said and handed her the bunch. She let them fall, one, two, three, four...the sizzle as it hit the liquid pleasant with little popping sounds, like pop rocks in her mouth. Smiling, her confidence growing, she reached back for the wraith’s slipper.
“Hey, easy with that,” Sheridan said as she tossed the final ingredient in the potion. A flash of light and she was shaking her head on the floor.
“What... What the fuck...” she said, seeing herself prone on the ground of the spell kitchen, at least fifteen feet from where the batch was brewing. Covered in glittery soot, she leaned up. “Shit, what did I do wrong?” She groaned. “Do I still have eyebrows?”
She heard a low chuckle before a large figure crouched in front of her. Tez, a broad smile on his face. He lifted his hand and ran his thumb over her brows. “Still there. Though you might have a bruised ass by the way you landed. Wraith’s slipper?” he asked.
She nodded. “A little too much I wager.”
“You put three in instead of two,” Sheridan offered and then bowed to Tez. “Her mind was elsewhere, on you.”
Tez stood and offered her his hand to help her up. “That’s always a dangerous thing,” he said. “Even when not in the middle of a brew.”
She did agree. “Did we ruin it?” she said with a frown.
“I’m afraid so, though three wraith’s slippers did turn it into something else.” Sheridan stepped up to the bubbling pot. “It feels like static. Lord Tezcatlipoca?”
“I don’t dabble much in kitchen magic,” Tez said as he stepped over to the pot. “Not anything I’ve ever needed to do. Though, if it’s not eating its way through the pot and you don’t have a blob monster coming out, safe to say it’s not too dangerous.” He turned to look at Riddle. “Most witches discover potions accidently, usually by putting in the wrong ingredients or too much. You should study it to see what you got.”
She nodded. “Non-corrosive,” she offered as she stepped up next to him. “Though the sparkle is gone. Scent isn’t unpleasant.” She dipped her copper ladle into the mixture and hefted out some, pouring it into a test tube. “How the hell would I test it?” she asked, looking at the now bright purple and green swirling liquid over.
“Let me take that,” Sheridan said as she turned off the burner. “Loomis?”
The house came into the room. “Yes, Lady Sheridan?”
“Can you contain this for us? We aren’t sure its properties, and I need to consult with Willomena.”
“Of course,” he said and the entire room around them went into a sort of status.
“Well, that’s done. I’ll let you know.” She looked to Tez. “Have a good evening, sire,” she said as she walked out with Loomis, leaving them alone.
“Even when you think something isn’t productive,” Tez said to her, “it usually is. One of the most important things to remember about magic, especially this kind, is there is always something to discover. Good or bad.”
“Same thing with life?” she asked with a small smile. “Didn’t expect to see you, not that I’m complaining.”
“Thought I’d sneak a peek of you working. I really don’t spend much time in spell kitchens, probably can count on my hands the number of times I’ve been in them.”
“It’s how the Anointed have always done it,” she shrugged. “I have been in one kitchen or another since I was two,” she said with a smile. “Though nothing as grand as this. Sheridan is jealous and told me once things even out we will be using this as the main kitchen since no one else has a dedicated space.”
“I’m sure Loomis was aware of that possibility when he created it. Actually, I’m positive that’s what he hoped for,” Tez said as he looked around the room. “When the Anointed grow in numbers and in power, the room will probably even grow with it. I think it’s the perfect place to gather for spell brewing.”
“Here’s hoping that comes true,” she said and wiped her hands on a dish rag. “The Ardomats are growing once more so...” She shrugged and turned. “I’m sorry about the other day,” she blurted out. “And you might not believe me, but I am. I didn’t mean to drive you into your other form and barely see you.” Shoulders slumping with a sigh, she continued. “It was unfair of me and I’m sorry.”
“You don’t need to apologize for the way you feel, Riddle. You also didn’t drive me into my other form. I’ve been exploring while you’ve been working. It’s easier for me to move through the forests in my jaguar form. I like to know my surroundings, especially when I’m not familiar with them.”
She nodded, though she was quite sorry. She had missed him around. “And? Anything good?”
“Lots of trees,” he said with a slight chuckle. “It’s a very peaceful place you have here. Did you know there are fae animals scurrying around your forest? I’ve heard your queen has a thing for collecting them. You should tell her you might have more than she does now.”
“Interesting. I know Baxter has found a new hideout outside, though he won’t show me. He’s been secretive. Having Faerie creatures here is a boon.”
“When you have time, I’ll take you out and show you where I’ve found them roaming. I’m not as secretive as Baxter.”
“I have time now,” she said. “We need to be at Dad’s for dinner in a bit but...” She went to him and took his hand. “Personally, I think Baxter is just happy to finally be in Faerie.”
“I’m not as knowledgeable about the names of all the creatures, but I at least know where to find them,” he said as he led her out of the kitchen and toward the door leading to the back of the house. “They stay a good distance away from the Sithen. I think they’re still trying to get accommodated to all the changes.”
“I hope they will realize we are not going to hurt them,” she said as he led her into the shadowy woods. “The Anointed have a creature book, of magical animals in Faerie.”
“I’m sure they’re just making their homes more than they’re afraid. When I came across them before, they just looked up at me and went about their business,” he said as he held back a large leaf to allow her to go through.
“You were probably in cat form, and not on the prowl for a meal,” she teased. “Or did you just lie down and purr for them?” she said as she relaxed more, the awkwardness sliding away.
“I was in my human form actually,” he told her and pulled her farther along. “And I don’t purr for just anyone. That’s earned.” He glanced at her, a smile curving one side of his mouth. “It’s just through here, come on.”
Chuckling to herself, she followed close to him, noticing the scents around them were astringent, herbal, but lulling. “Does Makepeace grow around here?” she said offhandedly. The herb was singular in its scent, and it was used in many spells the Anointed had created for healing. It was also dwindling in the gardens that had managed to grow it.
“I believe I’ve ran across a small batch on the west side of the forest,” he said as they headed to the center of a very small patch of earth that was surrounded by trees. The light from the sun shone down on them, making the moss they stood on almost shimmer in the light. “I bet if we stand here for a few moments, we’ll have some company,” he whispered to her.
She nodded, licking her lips, eyes darting around them. The trees were thick, trunks she couldn’t get her arms around. The grass and mosses were lush like a carpet, and toadstools as big as her hand were clustered on the floor, while shelf mushrooms clung to the trunks of the trees. If glitter started to fall from the sky, she would call the place a dream.
“To your left,” he whispered again and pointed to a large bush that was rustling about. Two pair of eyes could be seen peeking through the leaves, along with a purple-colored snout. “I’ve gotten to calling that one Oinker,” Tez said. “What has four eyes and a pig snout...”
She grinned. “Oh goddess,” she said as it came out slightly, sniffing the air, “it’s purple. Oh wow...”
“Faerie animals are always some rainbow color,” Tez said. “Nothing in Faerie is ever ordinary.”
“Why would it be? Faerie is very extra,” she whispered. “As long as we don’t get any like Void, he’s a jerk.”
“Void?” he asked. “What exactly is a Void?”
“A weird chicken looking thing with three eyes that lives with Senara. They found him up north, apparently he’s a jerk.”
“Surprised they didn’t just leave him up there then,” he said. “Though, from the little bit I’ve seen of your queen and her men, she seems to like to take in strays.”
“I mean, Anders is prime example. Apparently, Void is kinda sweet on Franco...much to his chagrin.”
“And does it at least behave for the queen? Because once you get down to it, the only one in a household of a royal who matters is the royal. So, if the bird is liked by Queen Senara, then the bird is safe.”
“Oh, I don’t think she would ever let any of her little furries and feathereds go. She loves them all, they are all welcome at her Sithen. One day I’ll take you over and you can meet Void and Smudge and the rest.” Squeezing his hand, they watched as the animal came out a little more, looked at them, and then walked off. “Thank you for bringing me here. It’s nice to see that the grounds are being used.”
“Anytime you’d like to venture out with me, you just need to say so. I go running every morning, usually in jaguar form, but I can do it on two legs if you ever want to join me.”
“Mornings? Maybe...” she laughed. “Maybe after I pull an all-nighter. I’m usually keyed up enough to want a walk...with some cocoa, of course.”
Tez looked up at the sky before returning his gaze to her. “We should probably head back and get ready for dinner with your father.”
“You sure you wanna come for this? I mean, you don’t have to.” She looked down at their feet.
“Is there a reason you’d rather I not come?” he asked as they started to head back through the trees.
“No, I want you to come,” she said softly. “I want to share this with you. I just wasn’t sure if you would be interested in it.”
“Trust me when I tell you, if there is something I don’t want to do, I will let you know. I look forward to getting to know your family, Riddle.”
“They are looking forward to getting to know you as well.” They broke the tree line, the sun glittering over the grass. Still holding hands, they walked forward, and she spied Baxter sitting on a rock sunning himself.
“There you are. Where have you been?”
The large lizard opened his eyes to look at her and then closed them, paying her no mind.
She scoffed. “Fine, be that way. You aren’t coming to see Daddy then.” At the word, the lizard turned and took off toward the house. “Asshole,” she called after him. “He loves my father.”
“Apparently so,” Tez said with a laugh. “Are your siblings going to be there as well?”
Nodding as they gained the house, she turned. “That’s why he calls it family dinner. Since we are all adults now and all, we rarely see each other, though both of the twins live at home with him still. Family dinner is just an excuse to see us, though he’s been really understanding with this whole princess thing and not being able to join them. Personally, I just think he’s hoping for me to find my guards so he can have more people to cook for.”
“Speaking of, how is that search going? I heard you spent some time with Million the other night. Any prospects there?”
She shrugged. “He wants to take me out to dinner and a catacomb exploration,” she said in answer. “So maybe? He’s very nice.”
“Hmm,” he said, giving her a sideways glance. “Are you going to go? And if you are, are you going out of obligation or interest?”
“Interest,” she said softly. “He kissed me goodnight, so as least I know he’s interested...” She looked at him. “What he is interested in remains to be seen, though.”
“For both of you, I would assume. Even though you haven’t asked for my advice, I’m going to give it to you anyway. Have fun, Riddle. Don’t think too much into everything and just go and have a good time.”
“I plan to, Tez. Ria is all excited about it, and I’m going to go into this open but...” she sighed. “If I can be candid, I’m worried that he knows he’s destined for guardship, and he’s just settling with me. I mean god knows Addie would break his hip and leave him in a hospital somewhere. He’s a badass but I don’t think he’s her kinda bad ass. I would be his last chance till the next crop of princesses are of age in the Nightmare Courts, and on our side...who knows how Sen is going to figure shit out.”
“So, this demon has tried for all the other princesses?” Tez asked. “What was his move with Theo?”
“Nothing with Theo, I don’t think he even met her till recently. Though I’m sure he would have been welcome. Theo wanted a full Nightmare guard originally. But he offered for Alyx. They didn’t work out.”
Tez gave her a look, but didn’t say anything for several moments. “I can’t begin to understand the pressures you put on yourself trying to find your guard and running your court. I’m sure all of that has you doubting and second-guessing yourself at every turn. But I don’t think it’s very fair of you to assume something of someone without directly asking them. It’s not like you aren’t a very likable woman, Riddle. It’s definitely not like you aren’t beautiful. Give yourself some more credit that a man would want to be with you because of you and not because of some other reason.”
“Believe me, Tez, I’m trying to.” She gave him a small smile. “Suffice to say that my past situations with the opposite sex haven’t been encouraging, and working past that doubt is challenging. I’m figuring it all out, or at least trying to.”
They made their way into the house and she stopped, looking at him. “I’m going to hit the shower, try and clean the sparkle from the spell off me, but if its anything like craft glitter, it will never fully go away and I’m going to find it in very uncomfortable places.”
“I’m afraid to ask exactly what you normally do with craft glitter,” he said with a grin. He waited until she was almost to the top of the stairs before he spoke again from where she’d left him at the bottom. “If you need any assistance, all you need to do is ask.”
Stopping, she turned to him. “I think that’s the issue, Tez. I don’t want to have to ask...” She grinned at him, pulled her shirt over her head and tossed it on the ground, and then unhooked her bra, tossing that down as well. Bold, she shimmied her leggings down and stepped out of them, then turned to him, wearing only her black boy shorts. “All you need to do is join me.”
“Think we had this discussion before about you telling me what you want,” he said as he walked to the bottom stair and placed his hands on the banister. “Though,” he continued, his eyes slowly moving over her. His eyes flashed blue with its purple swirl before turning back to brown. “Though,” he repeated as if he’d lost his train of thought for a moment, “not everything needs to be said with words.”
She walked back to the very top of the stairs and wrapped her arms around her breasts, leaning down. “I’m learning to be more assertive, Tez,” she said softly. “But in matters like these? I’m always going to want you.” She went to her knees. “Have since you showed up. Never doubt that. You never have to think you are going where you aren’t wanted. Take what you want with me because you want me, not because I’m asking, but because you need me.” She swallowed. “I will always...always want it.”
He stood there, staring at her, the muscles in his arms tensing as he tightened his grip on the banister. For several long moments he just stared at her, not saying a word, as if he was fighting some kind of battle in his head. His hands fell away from his death grip and he took the stairs two at a time toward her. Still, he didn’t speak. Not when he was standing in front of her, not when he pulled her to her feet, and not when he lifted her up in his arms to carry her to her room. Then he couldn’t speak, not when his lips finally found hers, firm and unyielding against her own. Her back pressed up against the door after he kicked it closed and he kissed her deeper, forcing her head to the side as his tongue slid across her lips before gaining entrance.
Riddle’s body broke out in goose bumps, and she arched, her hands pulling at his shirt, desperate to have skin on skin contact. Whimpering as they kissed, she ran her short nails down his sides and squeezed his hips with her thighs, reveling in the soul-piercing kiss he was giving her.
Tez broke their kiss just long enough to pull his t-shirt over his head then his mouth was against hers again. His hands clutched her ass and he carried her to the bathroom, somehow managing to make it there without needing to see where he was going. She felt the coolness of the counter under her and his lips left hers again, this time to travel down her neck as one of his hands traveled up her side to cup her breast.
Sensation rocked through her. Everywhere he touched was like little electric shocks, whizzing through her system. Closing her eyes, her hands on his body, his perfect, amazing and gods, so powerful body, she wanted more, needed more contact. “Tez... Please...” she moaned, her hand in his hair.
His mouth moved lower and he flicked his tongue over her nipple, like a cat licking at milk. His movements were lazy, like he had all the time in the world. As his mouth continued to lick and suck, his hands found their way to the waistband of her shorts and deftly pulled them down her legs until she sat naked on the counter. Briefly his eyes met hers, once again the color of his jaguar. He trailed his mouth over her skin, along her ribs, until he was kneeling between her legs, and he pushed her thighs apart. Staring at her, he licked his lips before leaning in and dragging his tongue against her folds.
“Holy shit!” she arched at the feel, slightly raspy, and her body shook. “Tez... Oh...” she leaned back, foot on the counter, the other leg slung over his shoulder. Never in her life did this feel this good. Her breaths coming in pants, her body on edge, the sparkles rushing to the growing throb at her core.
She thought she heard him chuckle but it morphed into a groan, his mouth moving to suction onto her clit, his hands squeezing her thighs. He seemed to be lost in her, all his attention on what he was doing, bringing her higher with every flick of his tongue.
“Tez...fuck, oh god, Tez...” she whimpered at the feel of his tongue, lips, mouth. Her senses were hyperaware of every movement, “So...so close...please...” The fingers digging into her thighs took her higher, both her hands in his hair. On a sink, being worshipped by a god. Riddle wasn’t sure how the fuck she got into this surreal position, but her heart sang with the strands that she felt connecting them. They were deep, rolling around in the core of her, and she felt her magic shift. “Baby...baby...” she moaned again, her body in a sensation spiral. She was so close, so close to being there...
He pulled away. She was right on the edge and he pulled away. He was standing in front of her now, eyes boring into hers, hands unbuttoning his pants. They were pushed down and kicked off moments later, leaving him standing there naked. “You aren’t going without me, cualtzin,” he said, his voice deep with need. He encircled himself with his hand, stroking it along the thick hardness of his erection. Stepping between her spread thighs, he ran the tip of his cock along her wetness and closed his eyes. Then he pushed himself inside her with one hard, deep thrust.
“Fuck yes!” she screamed as her body arched, the sting and the burn of the adjustment to his size a beautiful salvo. Her nerve endings sparked and her core clenched around him, squeezing as the pulse of her body quickened. “Tez,” she moaned once more. “Hard...fast...fall with me,” she begged, her body blooming, nipples pearled to hard peaks, her skin dewy. Biting her bottom lip, she felt things inside her shift, fall into place as she clung to him, met him stroke for stroke.
He took her at her word, moving faster and harder with each stroke. One of his hands gripped her hip, the other pressed against her back, as if trying to hold her in place. “Nothing should feel this good,” he breathed before kissing her.
Nothing ever has, she thought as she wrapped her leg around his hip, trying to bring him closer, to feel everything, feel more. The kiss twisted them, spun them together in a miasma of need and feeling, and her body tightened as she felt that last drop in the pool that was her release send her over the edge.
Moaning into his mouth as she came, her body exploded in sensation and contentment all at once. Fingers digging into his shoulders, her back arched into him as she rode the wave of pleasure her god had gifted her.
She felt Tez’s muscles tighten under her hands and his head dropped against her shoulder, breathing heavy. His hips continued to work, moving in and out of her, even as his hold on her loosened. “Cualtzin,” he breathed, pressing his lips against the side of her neck.
“You are amazing,” she whispered as her body slowly came down from the stratosphere. “I have never ever felt so good in my life.” She kissed his shoulder and then nipped him, loving the taste, the scent of him both aroused and relaxed. She nuzzled him. “Holy shit...”
“I’ve never not wanted you, Riddle,” he told her, as if picking up their conversation from before he stalked up the stairs. He leaned back to cup her face. “I don’t want you to ever think that.” He kissed her, slow and deep, before picking her up and moving to the shower. “I hope your father won’t mind if we’re a little late, because I plan on doing that at least one more time before we leave. The dam has been broken, I don’t think you realize what you’ve done.”
She chuckled and ran her fingers down his cheek. “Bring it on, baby,” she said and kissed him again. “I’m more than ready for round two, three...seven...” She grinned and then licked his top lip. “This feels right.” She didn’t feel awkward, didn’t feel like there was a chasm between them. He was right. Something broke, and she was glad it did. Nuzzling him again, she nipped his throat, and then licked him just behind his ear. “I don’t think you realize what you have done...”
Chapter
Crawling up the drive of Riddle’s childhood home, she looked over to Tez who was sitting in the passenger seat taking in the scenery. She smiled. “You know, I never asked, can you drive, and do you want to?” They were late, but it was for a good reason. Tez had loved her another two times, once in the shower, the other as they were getting dressed, and she was dopey happy.
“Never tried to, but it wouldn’t take me long to figure it out,” he said as he turned to look at her. His eyes were still blue, not having changed back after the last time he took her. “I was actually thinking about it the other day. I should probably get myself a car so I can explore more while you’re working.”
“We can go car shopping if you want.” She smiled and looked sidelong at him. “Something sporty and fast...”
“I’ve seen the size of most sporty, fast cars, I don’t think I’ll fit. Think I’ll go for something big that I can drive in the snow.”
“Ooh. Sensible. There’s a lot of that around here in the winter,” she offered.
The house loomed large and stately as they made it over the rise to the main grounds, the design both modern and old world. The Echos before starting the satellite radio business were in radio itself, but there had always been an undercurrent of construction and design in their ranks. The house she grew up in was once a burned-out shell, after the fires that plagued the Midwest back at the turn of the century, and had been left to crumble until one of her family back in the seventies had rescued it, and turned it into a melding of the old and the new. Walls of stone were at odds with sharp glass and metal angles, large expanses of wood were paired with concrete, but the grounds were left to thrive, giving the property an almost spooky air.
“Is this where you grew up?” he asked as he looked out the front window.
“Yep. House has been in the Echo family a long ass time. It’s cool, right? Weird and creepy? Rue’s friends call it Addams Manor East.”
“Almost fits you as well as your Sithen does, though I think your Sithen is a little more you.”
“Well, the Sithen is us,” she said. “I don’t think for a second that the house hasn’t molded to both of us. But this place was built and imagined by one of our ancestors. He was a bit goth, too, I guess. Daddy has always loved this place.” She grinned. “You know, I’m interested in showing you my childhood room. Think of it as Sithen 1.0.”
“If I had a childhood room, I’d show it to you. But someday I’ll take you to see my temple,” he said with an arrogant smirk. “Mine’s still standing.”
Looking sidelong at him again, she grinned. “Of course, it is. And I would really like that.”
They parked and she got out, Tez following suit. They were through the front door in moments and Riddle sighed, closing her eyes as she breathed in the familiar scents of lemon, thyme and Sage. “Daddy?! We are here!” she said as she pulled Tez through the foyer into the living room area.
Cavernous with vaulted ceilings, the space was littered with comfortable chairs, couches and a massive television that took up the space over the ornate fireplace that also lived on the same wall.
“Someone sounds happy to be back here,” Tez said. “Come to think of it, I don’t think I’ve seen you this relaxed since we met.”
She leaned in and winked. “Sexual frustration.”
“As in no longer,” he said with a lift of his brow.
“Correct.”
Saul walked out of the far door, an apron on, and a smile. “There’s my girl,” he said and pulled her into a hug. “Lord Tezcatlipoca.” He gave him a slight bow. “Welcome to our home.”
“Please, just Tez. Plus, I’ve never been a lord,” he said, holding out his hand to her father to shake.
“Tez then,” Saul said. “Again, welcome.”
“Where is Duke and Rue?”
“Where do you think?” He grinned.
“I’m in here...and these crescents aren’t going to roll themselves,” Rue called from the doorway.
“Duke must be in the pool,” she said and turned to Tez. “Duke is on the swim team. Takes it very seriously.”
Tez looked over to where Rue was standing and gave her a crooked smile. “Actually, they can roll themselves. Wanna see?”
Rue laughed. “Clearly. You going to wiggle your nose like Eudora and Samantha?”
“I don’t think he’s seen Bewitched,” Riddle said as she went to Rue and hugged her.
“I have, wasn’t impressed.” He looked at Rue again. “I’m not a witch, I don’t need to wiggle anything. Come on, show me where these rolls are.”
The four of them walked into the kitchen proper and toward the overlarge butcher’s block island. Her sister stood there and then tossed her hands out to where the crescent dough was sitting as if to say, “Ta da.” “See? We need to make a ton since Duke lives for warm bread.”
“If he lives for bread, he better be swimming a lot,” Tez said. He barely glanced at the dough before turning to Saul. “Riddle was telling me how this house has been in the family for a while and that it was built by your ancestors. Does each generation add to it, or do you keep it as it was?” He turned and winked at Rue before his attention turned back to her father, the dough all having been rolled without any of them noticing.
“Holy shit!”
“Rue, seriously?” Saul said and then shook his head with a smile. “Not the structure, but the inside and the grounds, yes. Each male in our family plants a willow on the grounds, before they are thirty,” he said and went back to seasoning the steaks that were sitting on the tray. “We have some really interesting rooms here because of it. Ridley, you should show him the west wing.”
“Yeah, don’t forget to show him room seventy-two,” Rue said with a smirk.
“You number your rooms?” Tez said and turned to Riddle. “Exactly what is room seventy-two?”
“No, but that room is numbered,” Riddle said. “You wanna see? We might not make it back to dinner...” She laughed.
“You most certainly will,” Saul said. “These are Wagyu beef.” He motioned to the steaks. “Tez, you do eat meat, right?”
“He’s a jaguar, Daddy,” Riddle said and rolled her eyes.
Tez chuckled. “I do indeed eat meat. Though I prefer it in my human form so it’s at least slightly cooked. Now, Riddle, I think I’m going to need a little more explanation regarding this room.”
“It’s easier to just show you,” she said. “We will be back.”
“No, you won’t,” Rue sang and shook her head.
They walked from the kitchen and back into the great room but instead of going back the way they came, she took him to the door on the far left. “So, this is the west wing. You can’t see it from the outside because it’s built in a pocket of Faerie,” she began. “Most of the rooms here are sleeping rooms, for when the Anointed come to visit. Echo believed that keeping our magic users in Faerie helped to keep them strong.”
“I’ve been speaking to Vasuki and Cetus about the Faerie pockets,” Tez said as he walked along next to her. “According to Cetus, while Light Court hasn’t existed on the fae realm for generations, they have found multiple pockets that they use and Nightmare has mostly lived completely in Faerie. Personally, I find the use of pockets more creative. It allows you to live on the human realm, while still staying a part of Faerie.”
“So that’s what you do all day, gossip with the other old fogies,” she teased and took his hand. “Pockets were a means to keep our heritage. When the males moved us to Earth full-time, we needed a tie. Sadly, the tie wasn’t enough to keep the magic thriving, or to keep powers flowing.”
“You didn’t lose it entirely, though, you just misplaced some of your identity,” he said. “It’s not gone, just lost for now. But not as lost as it was a few months ago.”
“Very true. I’m glad for that,” she said softly. They walked up to a room and opened the door. “This is the room of keys,” she said and stepped inside. The walls, ceiling and floor were covered in keys on hooks, the two chairs in the center that flanked a small side table black and blue damask. “And no, I have no idea where these keys are from or what doors they fit.”
Tez looked around the room, a truly perplexed look on his face. Do you know why there are two chairs and a table?” He took a step inside. “Has this room always been here?”
“Well before Grandpa Egbert was born,” she said. “And I have no goddamn idea why anything in this wing is what it is... “
“I couldn’t even begin to tell you what the deal with this room is.” He was still looking around, same expression on his face. “Don’t you have a record keeper in Light Court? I would think they would know what it is.”
“I have no clue. Saul might know, but it’s not something that would normally come up to me...you know, me being a girl and all and the assholes that ran shit not thinking anything without a dick could handle shit,” she said. “Come on, plenty more to see.”
They walked down a few more doors, and he noticed that all the doors were on the left side, the right just a long wall covered in flocked wallpaper. She showed him the fern room, which was filled with ferns, the moon room which was cloaked in moonlight where thousands of Moonflowers were growing, and the slip, which literally was a two-story room of slides and ladders into a massive ball pit. “Weird, right?” she asked as they looked in. “We liked this room as kids.”
“I would imagine so. It’s like a real live version of Chutes and Ladders,” he said and gave her a little smirk. “Don’t bother asking why I know about that game.”
“Oh no, Mr. Magic. There is a story there...” She grinned. “Wanna have a go?”
He sighed. “I got sucked into the rabbit hole of YouTube and ended up watching eighties television commercials for a solid hour. I’m not proud of it and would like it if we never spoke about it again.” His face was serious, but she could see mirth in his brown eyes. When had they gone back to brown? “We should probably head back down before we’re late to dinner. Wouldn’t want your sister to end up being right.”
“She thinks we are going to end up not making it for dinner because we are going to jump a quickie,” she said and took his hand. “We can come up and play in the ball pit another time. Still gotta see room seventy-two.”
“I thought the key room was room seventy-two,” he said, following her back into the hall. “Remind me to mention to your sister that I don’t do anything quickly.”
Chuckling, she shook her head. “Terrible. No, seventy-two is just down the way,” she said as she closed the door. They walked a small ways, more doors on the left, nothing but flocked wall on the right, until it wasn’t, and there was a set of doors framed in ornate wood that looked like swirls, like smoke. “This is room seventy-two.” And it was the only room on the righthand side. “Care to take a guess?”
“I wouldn’t even know where to begin,” he said. “Considering I already thought we saw it.”
Stepping up to the doors, she traced the numbers emblazoned on the doors and then gripped both black crystal door handles, and pulled the doors open.
Blackness greeted them, and she offered her hand. “Come on. You are going to be interested in this one, I think...”
They walked through the doorway a few steps before the doors closed behind them, leaving them in darkness.
“Riddle,” he said, his deep voice echoing, “I’ve been in pitch black rooms before.”
“Yes...but have you been in a room that reads you and transports you to a place you wish to visit? Or have been before?” She moved in close. “Seventy-two, from what we have figured out, is a wish fulfillment room. So where do you want to be...with me, specifically?”
“If I’d ever been to a room like this before I wouldn’t have had to run across the country to get to you,” he said. While she couldn’t see him, she could feel him looking at her. “Specifically? I don’t think there is any specific place I want to be with you. Rather just with you.”
“Charmer... Well, that doesn’t help me show you this room.” He could hear her pout. “You had a sacrifice altar, right?”
“I did but I doubt that is a place you would ever want to visit. It probably isn’t even there anymore. How about you show me by you picking a place.”
“That I can do...” The room started to glow around them, sounds of night animals starting to reach their ears, and then they were standing on a shore, water lapping at their shoes, the expanse beyond them an ocean filled with glowing lights, some of them washing up just beyond where they stood.
Above them, stars and a slight amount of clouds. She stepped and the crunch of sand reached their ears. Bright enough to see each other, the glow like a candle flame, she smiled at him.
“Why don’t you use this room to transport you wherever you want to go?” he asked as he stepped up next to her and crouched, running the sand through his fingers.
“It doesn’t take you there, only shows you a slip of time in the place. We can spend hours here, but we aren’t half a world away.” She sat and picked up a shell. “Not sure how the magic works, but we can get wet, swim, hunt for shells, but when we leave the room, nothing transfers. This place is in Faerie, on the other side of the world. Theo told me about it, she visited when she was looking for Nareau. Said it was a place for lovers to experience together.” She lifted a shell, the midnight sand sifting through her fingers.
“An illusion room,” Tez said. “It’s illusion magic and powerful at that. While it’s not difficult to create an illusion and hold it for mere moments, the magic used to create this room is on a god level. Especially considering how long it can hold it for.”
She nodded. “Pretty cool, right? Though its limited. Each visit is one ‘trip’,” she made air quotes. “But it’s still cool.”
“It’s some dark magic, that’s for sure,” he said, standing back up. “I like how your family and friends use it for more reasonable and memorable occasions. A man like me looks at a room like this and comes up with the other ways it can be used.” He shook his head with a laugh. “Dark indeed.”
“Yeah? Like?” She stood with him.
He looked at her, face blank of emotion. “Torture. The illusion of a torture room is even better than doing it for real.”
“Interesting, I mean it makes sense, being who you are. It’s why I asked about your altar. I don’t think we have much use for torture, though I’m pretty sure Duke has used it for some alone time in Theo’s bedroom set from her site.” She shivered. “Boys are gross.”
Tez laughed. “I’m sure there are plenty of females who would do the exact same thing.” He took her hand. “Come on, let’s go eat with your family.”
“Your family, too,” she said as they walked out, not bothering to brush the sand off themselves. As they walked, the doors opened, and the lights behind them died, being replaced by the light from the hallway.
“That’s the best part of an illusion room. No need for clean up.” He grinned at her.
She went to her tip toes and kissed his nose. “Next time we go swimming.”
They were back to the kitchen a few minutes later, Duke and Rue both setting the table.
“Hey,” Riddle said and went to her brother and hugged him. “Looking fit.”
He nodded. “I try.” He nodded to Tez. “She show you room seventy-two?”
“She did, though I still have no idea why it’s called room seventy-two.”
“Neither do we,” Saul said as he came in from the patio carrying a tray of steaks. “With the numbers on the door, it’s just what it’s called.”
“You guys get naughty in there?” Rue asked as she brought two bottles of wine from the sideboard.
“We’ve only been gone for fifteen minutes,” Tez said. “I’m not Nareau, I don’t speed through everything.”
“Sick burn,” Duke said and laughed.
“Tez, please, this is my daughter...”
“And all your kids get down, Daddy,” Rue said. “Rid’s going to be getting down like crazy.”
“And bringing the magic back,” Duke said.
Riddle rolled her eyes. “White, red, or beer?” she said to Tez.
“Red,” he told her before going over to help Saul. “I know it’s not the most comfortable thing to know your daughter is with a man who is eons old, just know I have nothing but respect for her.”
“I should hope so. Because if I ever find out you don’t, I’ll figure out a way to cut all your body parts off and feed them to you,” Saul said with a smile.
“Daddy!”
“You deserve the best, Ridley...though I think you have it.” He looked to Tez and handed him the platter.
“You won’t have to worry about that,” Tez said as he brought the platter over to the table. “In fact, I believe your daughter thinks I have too much respect for her.” He smiled at her before taking a seat at the table.
“We aren’t talking about this with them,” she said and Rue turned with a smirk. “No fucking way, Rue.”
“Party pooper.”
“You wanna talk about Angelica?” she asked her sister of her current lover.
“Well, no, but...you’re fucking a god.”
Saul winced. “Rue...”
Tez laughed, the deep, rich sound surprising her siblings. He didn’t exactly look like a man who laughed a lot, not with the serious look that was usually on his face. “You’ll have to forgive me, I’m not exactly sure which topics are allowed at family dinners. I didn’t particularly have a close relationship with my brother.”
“You have living siblings?” Riddle asked as they all sat down and started filling plates. Rue handed him a plate with a thick fillet on it and smirked at him.
“My brother is dead,” he said simply. “Long story, but I’m sure your internet has some tale of it. Might even be true, though they do seem to get most things wrong.”
“Hooey and hearsay,” Saul agreed. “Who was your brother? You will have to forgive us, we don’t really know much about the gods.”
“Quetzalcoatl. An easily manipulated, worthless god, if you want my opinion. He couldn’t quite understand the worlds didn’t revolve around the rich and noble,” Tez said and took a sip of his wine. “I’ve noticed most who live in this country don’t know much about the Aztec gods, rather focusing on the Greeks and Romans. It’s a shame that.”
“There is a reason for that,” Saul said. “Much white washing happens in this country. The Greek and Roman pantheons were the easiest to understand I think, and the least...dynamic, if you will. Anything not able to be changed to the Anglo focus tends to get tossed to the wayside. And with religions being what they are... “
“If they can’t pronounce it, they bury it,” Rue said. “Shame. I have been doing a little research on our pantheon since you showed up. Pretty fucking awesome and brutal. Though I didn’t get to your brother yet. He has a pyramid in Teoteuchain, right?”
“He did, though I can’t say if it’s still there. There are those who still worship him.” Tez snorted. “Enough about him, though, wouldn’t want to ruin my appetite after all the work you’ve done to put dinner together.” He looked over at Duke. “Your sister mentioned you swim.”
He nodded. “Freestyle and butterfly for Alterwaits University.”
“Alterwaits is a private university, fae and fae adjacent entities only, but they are part of the Ivy League,” Rue offered.
“Are there a lot of fae universities on this realm?” he asked.
“Two?” Riddle said. “Alterwaits and Storbridge, though Alterwaits is the only one that is Faerie only. I went to a normal human college. Duke, because he’s in sports, is learning how to compete what is essentially handicapped when going up against humans.”
“I know hearing from fae I’ve known, it’s incredibly difficult to hold back powers and strengths when competing or fighting against humans. I was surprised to hear about fae, warrior fae, fighting humans in rings in front of other humans. Sounds like a dangerous line to be toeing.”
“Grainers,” Saul said. “Leo has trained his children well,” he said with pride.
“Daddy and Leo are friends from way back,” Riddle said. “If there is any family that works both lines to perfection, it’s that family.”
“Still surprised one of them isn’t in your guard,” Duke said.
“Yuck. They are all like my family.” She looked to her brother. “Don’t say anything gross about family.”
“I was just going to...”
“No, zip it. Eat your steak.”
“If they are part of a warrior family,” Tez said to Duke, “it’s not likely. Females, like your sister, who are both magic and power, don’t tend to have warrior families mix in. The Sciath Court and Air Court have never intermingled in that way. I think it’s Faerie’s way of making sure there are no offspring from such a match. Too much power.”
“And do you think our court will thrive again in magic?” Rue asked as she forked some salad into her mouth.
“In that I have no doubt,” Tez told her sister. “It’s already starting to thrive again. With magic, unlike power, it flows through, slow and steady. If it all came back at once, it would be disastrous, burning those who received it from the inside out.”
“And do you think we will all benefit?” she asked quietly. “I never expected to be Anointed, like Riddle, but I’m fae, I would like to feel fae.”
“That I can’t answer. I’m not fae. I know magic. I am magic. When it comes to powers coming back to Faerie, back to Air Court, that’s a question for your queen.”
Their conversations rolled to work, the event coming up and Rue’s new interest, theater. They laughed, ate, and finished a full bottle of wine before Rue and Duke were both begging off for other plans for the evening.
“So, before we go...” Duke said. “When do we get to visit the Sithen?”
“Soon,” Riddle said. “It’s settling.”
“Beauty. We need dinner there next time. Daddy, I love you but let’s let...” she looked at Riddle.
“Loomis, the house’s name is Loomis.”
“Loomis cook next time.”
Saul laughed. “Maybe, love. Enjoy your night.”
With the twins gone, they helped Saul clean up. “So, what’s on the agenda for you tonight, Daddy?”
“Into the main office,” he said. “With the festival coming up, there’s a lot of things I need to handle with the vendors and permits.”
“We should leave you to handle that then,” Tez said. “I’m sure Riddle will be heading off to the office when we get back as well.”
She smiled and then hugged her father. “Love you, Daddy.”
“I love you, too, sweetheart.” He pulled away and offered his hand to Tez. “As always, an honor.”
Tez shook her father’s hand. “Same. Thank you for dinner. It’s not very often I’ve had the pleasure to sit around a family table.”
“I hope for many more,” Saul said. “When do we hear about game two?”
Riddle shrugged. “Soon, I guess.”
“And the demon?”
“What about him?”
“You going to see him again?”
She nodded. “Soon.”
“Good. I like him. Hopefully next time it will be easier for you to get here. That portal garden of yours needs to grow.”
“I’m trying, Daddy.” She grinned.
They walked out and slid into the car. “Think I could interest you in some ice cream and star gazing?” she asked as they made their way down the drive.
“I think that can be arranged,” he told her.
“I’m having a good day. I mean aside from almost blowing up.” She grinned. “I’m not going to go into work tonight.”
“In that case, I’m sure we can think of something to do after the ice cream and still during the star gazing.”
Looking at him sidelong, she reached over and took his hand. “Oh yeah? Floating in the pool?” she asked and rubbed his hand with her thumb. “Maybe jaguar cuddling?”
“Guess you’ll just have to wait and see,” he told her with a smile.
Chapter
Looking at herself in the mirror, Riddle frowned. Did she like this outfit? Maybe something sexier? Why was she even worrying about it? Would it even matter?
“Riddle,” Theo said over the video call. “You look so sexy it’s not even funny. Why the long face?”
She had called Theo, told her about the date, and that she needed help with the outfit. Normally she would have called Ria, but Ria was not the person you went to to dress sexy. She was the person you went to for crafts and dancing in the graveyard and advice on how to get pregnant. But not this.
They had settled on a pair of knee-high boots, a black mini-skirt with a frilled edge, black underbust vest and silvery button-up shirt. She did feel sexy, comfortable in her own skin, but she was worried.
“What if this doesn’t do it for him?” she said to Theo and the other woman laughed.
“Oh, honey...if that man doesn’t get sprung the moment you walk up to him, get the pizza and come back and see that beast of a god of yours. I’m sure Tez would find it extremely sexy.”
She assumed so as well.
“You feel good?” She nodded to her friend. “Then don’t overthink it. You only have a few minutes to meet him anyway.”
“Shit,” she said. “I’m going...”
“Go. And have fun. Kisses.” Theo’s side of the call went dark. She took a deep breath and walked out of the bedroom, and then down the stairs and into the main living area to see Tez on the couch.
“Hey,” she said as she walked over. “I’m leaving.” It was just before three in the afternoon, but she would be making her way to Italy via the Grave Court Sithen just after nine at night. “You got plans tonight?”
“Not at the moment,” he told her. “Though I might head over to Dank Court and speak with Cetus.”
“Yeah? You going to call him a no talent ass clown? I would.”
He raised a brow at her. “Can’t say I’ve ever called anyone that. Let me know when you decide to, I want to watch.”
“Oh, you can bet I will tell you. If I say it, they will deserve it.” She went to him and kissed him softly. “Have fun, and tell Gogo I said hi if you see her, yes?”
“Of course.” He pulled her back to him and kissed her again. “Have a good time tonight. Try to enjoy yourself.”
“I’m going to.” She kissed him once more, now unable to not when she was there with him. It felt good to have the intimacy, and she was reveling in it. “Be safe.”
He laughed at that, deep and a little menacing. “If there is anyone in your life you don’t need to worry about being safe, it’s me. Plus, I believe that’s my line.”
“Still.” She kissed his nose. “Don’t let old tentacle hands get you riled up.”
“Go,” he told her with another laugh. “Stop lollygagging and go on your date before you’re late.”
Moments later she was through the front doors and down to the portal garden where she stepped through from the States to Rome, the darkness both jarring and lulling. It was quiet in the Grave Court portal garden, and as she stepped through, she noticed a slight breeze with a softly sweet scent on it.
Million said he would meet her there, and she knew she was a few minutes early. Any other place in the dark she would feel a little apprehensive, but at Grave Court? It was her second home. She nodded to two ghosts that floated by. Ria’s powers must be growing indeed if she could see them this far from the Sithen proper.
She heard Million’s laugh before he stepped out the darkness of the woods surrounding the portal garden and into the light of the moon illuminating overhead. He smiled when he saw her. “Damn, I was hoping to beat you here, but Kol saw me and...” His smile widened. “You look amazing. I feel a tad underdressed.” He looked down at himself, at his button-up dark purple shirt with the sleeves rolled up, tight black jeans, and his combat boots, still unlaced. “I’m not complaining. Definitely not complaining.”
“That makes two of us, someone knows exactly what I like. And the little prince has that effect on everyone.” She smiled and added shyly, “Hi.”
“Hi,” he said back, stepping up to her to brush a kiss against her cheek. “I hope you’re hungry.” He took her hand and led her over to a portal stone not far from the one she’d come in. “It’s a bit of a drive to Naples, so I asked Xerxes to set up a quicker mode of transportation.”
“Oh, cool. Are his portals different from a garden portal?” she asked as the stepped forward. “Like do they feel different?”
“All portals pretty much feel the same to me,” he said with a shrug. “I grew up with them, though. You just started using them, right?”
She nodded. “For the most part yes. We had the theory that different entities’ portals would feel different, but since none of us had ever gone through any that were Sithen made...” she left off. “Which is why I asked. But I guess I’m going to find out.”
“Most portals in Faerie were created by demons,” he said as the stepped up to the portal they’d be using. “There are very few fae who can create them. I’ve actually never met one. Other than high-ranking, high-powered demons, only other species I know who can create them are gods.” He squeezed her hand. “Come on, let’s test this one out.” He pulled her through.
Gasping as she came through the other side, she blinked, the darkness in Naples littered with ambient light. “Woah...” she said, her eyes adjusting to the lights. “Okay...” cocking her head, she took personal inventory “No different. I guess that’s a possibility debunked. I’ll have to tell Sheridan.”
“To me, it always felt like walking through a door. No odd feels.” He shrugged. “Now tell me, are you ready to finally be able to tell people where the best pizza actually comes from?”
“I’m ready to have my mind blown,” she agreed. “This place is beautiful. I’m sure it’s stunning in the daylight as well.”
“It’s not Rome but it is beautiful. There really isn’t much of this country that isn’t.” They walked out of the dark alley they’d arrived in. “Of course, the place I’m taking you to isn’t exactly in the prettiest part of the city, but the food is amazing and we’ll be right near the gulf and we can watch the barges and ships go by.”
“Sounds awesome.” She looked around, at the buildings, the strings of lights that lit the way through the side street. “Italy is pretty amazing.” She grinned. “So, how was your day?”
“Let’s see,” he said and scrunched his face up like he was actually thinking about it. “Had some American tourist come into the shop wanting to get veni vidi vici tattooed across the lower part of her stomach.” He rolled his eyes. “And of course, I was alone in the shop at the time, so had to deal with that.”
“Ugh. Pass,” she said and shook her head. “Though I’m sure you did an exemplary job.”
“Even if some blowhard wants me to do a skull with roses in the eye sockets, I’m going to make sure it’s the best damn one out there. That’s my art walking around on people’s skin. Now, my afternoon was fun. I guess the guy who has been working on Addie’s tattoo went MIA a few months ago, so she came in to see if I couldn’t finish her piece. I guess all the siblings have tattoos of bloody wars on them. Right up my alley.”
“Ooh, awesome,” she said with a grin. “How much did you get done?”
“We haven’t started it yet. I was checking out what she already had done and we mapped out the rest of it. It’s a significant sized piece, so we’ll work in time here and there.”
“Million!” they heard as they walked up to a little pizzeria. A petite brunette came up to him and kissed both his cheeks. “I have your table ready,” she said in a thick accent. “Come, come.” She led them through the small restaurant to a back patio where Million held her chair out for her. “Mario will be here in a minute. Enjoy.” When the woman disappeared, he smiled at her.
“How about your day?”
“Worked last night, slept till almost noon,” she said with a grin and settled into her chair. “Tez and I had breakfast, and then I made some calls. Then I got ready, and came here. Working nights is crazy. Like I feel like I just took a nap, you know?”
“I guess me taking you out on a date in Italy does mess with you having a full day. I just knocked six hours off of it. No pressure on me now to make sure you have a good time.” He laughed as their waiter came over and placed a menu on the table before going back in. “You get to pick the pie.”
“Me?” she shook her head. “Oh no. You brought me here, you pick. I wanna know what you love. Just...no pineapple? Do they even do that here? I know in the UK they do pizza with prawns on it.”
“No, we don’t do that or put barbecue chicken on it,” he said with a snort. “I’ve eaten everything on this menu and there isn’t a bad choice, but since you’re going to make me do it, we’re going simple since a real pizza doesn’t need two hundred ingredients. All it needs is dough, sauce, and mozzarella.”
“A purist. I like that. I respect that,” she agreed. “Three ingredients that work in harmony to create magic.”
Mario came back and Million ordered their pizza and a bottle of wine. “Did I mention that you look amazing?” he asked her when they were alone again.
“I think I did hear that,” she said and felt the heat rise in her cheeks. “Thank you. It’s not often I get to dress for anything...though I might have made a mistake. I mean, it’s hardly a let’s crawl through a catacomb outfit.”
“Good news is, we’re definitely not crawling. But since they closed three hours ago, we are going to need to break in,” he said with a cheeky little grin. “Hope you don’t mind a little B&E. Figured if you were friends with Ria, you’d be up for a little excitement.”
“I’m down for a felony.” Her laugh was genuine. “As long as we aren’t breaking anyone outta jail.” She winked. “Unless it’s a ghost...in which case, I’m down.”
“Beauty of being a ghost, they can break themselves out.” He took a sip of his wine, his eyes never leaving her. “I will admit, I do get a bit of a laugh breaking into a paleo-Christian burial and worship site and being a demon. If the Vatican knew...”
“I always wanted to know why Grave is in Rome of all places,” she offered and sipped the wine herself. “Oh, this is good.”
“Like pizza, Italians know good wine.” He grinned. “As far as being in Rome? The history, the deaths, the battles, the fall of an empire. The amount of ghosts that haunt that city... There is something beautifully morbid about the area, kinda like there is something beautifully morbid about Grave Court.”
She nodded. “It makes sense. Of all the courts, I love Grave so much. It feels the most authentic. I’m hoping Air will get to that level.”
“I have no doubt that you will make sure it does,” he said as their pizza was brought out.
“Oh, that smells like heaven,” she said as it was placed on the table. “Air is well on its way to being great, thanks in part to you. My father told me that there’s been a few inquiries since the game about joining us, families that aren’t aligned yet. So, thank you for all the help.”
“Are you kidding? I had so much fun. I’m kinda hoping you’re going to need a demon again so we can win another. If not, I’m hoping tonight goes well enough where you’ll let me take you out again.”
“Tonight’s not even a qualifier for that,” she said with a laugh. “If I can be honest, I was really excited to do this tonight, so I’m down for any time I get to hang out with you.” Her enthusiasm was genuine. “Now gimme a piece of this goodness, because I am close to salivating.”
“Careful what you wish for. You might just find me showing up on your doorstep with a bottle of good Italian wine and fast food.” He grinned back at her as he put a slice on her plate then one on his own. “Mangia.”
Folding the slice, she brought it to her mouth and took a bite, moaning at the taste. She swallowed and licked her lips. “Holy hell. Million...wow.”
She watched as his eyes dipped down to her lips before returning to her eyes, that smile of his still on his face. “So, Riddle, tell me, New York or Chicago?”
“Naples.” She grinned and took another bite. Moaning, she felt the warm sauce slide down the side of her mouth. She didn’t care. It was heaven in a bite. Swallowing, she grinned. “This is like sex in your mouth.”
“That’s my girl,” he said and took a bite of his own. As he chewed, he got that look on his face, the one where she could tell he was thinking about something. “Actually, sex in your mouth is sex in your mouth, though this is in the top five.”
Her grin got bigger. “Can’t actually argue with that. Penny for your thoughts, though.”
“That was my thought,” he said with a laugh, “sex in your mouth. Your fault for bringing it up.”
“I don’t actually get sex in my mouth very often.” She shrugged and took another bite, her eyes dancing with mirth.
He started laughing. “I just realized how bad that sounded. I didn’t mean you, as in you. I meant it in the general sense. Oh man.” She watched as his cheeks turned an adorable shade of pink. “I figure I’ll wait until at least our third date before I start daydreaming about that.”
She arched a brow. “Dreaming or talking about it?” She was bold, but it was hard not to tease him a little when his face was that color, and it was nice to know she wasn’t the only one affected.
“Dreaming on the third date, talking about it on the fourth. I’ll let you guess what would happen on the fifth.” He took another bite of his pizza but she could see his smile in his eyes.
“So, it’s five dates to get you naked. Got it.” Sipping her wine, she tried not to giggle.
“Gotta play hard to get for a least a little while. Wouldn’t want you to think I’m easy.”
“Oh heavens, no,” she agreed and finished her slice. “So, what does the second date get?”
“When a guy is lucky to get a second date with a woman like you, he lets her choose. It helps to get a chance for that third date,” he said.
“Well, I’ll tell you something. This is like the first real date I have been on in...well, since sophomore year of college. I wouldn’t know any of the protocols.”
He leaned forward and lowered his voice. “I’m a demon, sugar, there are no protocols. We leave that nonsense to the humans.”
“So, the five-date thing is just a guideline. Got it.” She winked as she snagged another slice.
“Since you haven’t been on a date since college, what have you been wanting to do since then? I’m sure you didn’t go all that time without daydreaming about a date you wish some guy would take you on.”
She considered him. “Well, this is right up there,” she teased, but not really. “Honestly, I’m not that complex. Pizza and wine in a gorgeous country fits the bill. Dinner and a movie is a great thing. I mean, it wasn’t a special date I wanted, more a dude that just wanted to spend time with me, because I’m me.” Taking a sip of her wine, she smiled. “He could take me on a tour of the goddamn Hoover Dam and I would have been happy because he wanted to be with me doing it.
“The daydream was always a guy that didn’t know who I was, and wanted to date me anyway. The dates were always different...carnival, aquarium, painting pottery, the aforementioned dinner and movie, but they always ended with a kiss and a request for another date. Never talk about the company, or my dad or anything like that. Just have fun with me.” She took another sip, hoping to god she wasn’t rambling.
“Never been to the Hoover Dam, so I think on the sixth date, you should be the one to take me there,” he said with a smile. “Now, I’m not sure if I lose points since I didn’t know who you were before we met, considering Ria talks about you non-stop. But I do get points added back since I want absolutely nothing to do with your company. I’m good when it comes to work and money.” He took a sip of his wine, draining the glass. “And Riddle, I can guarantee I will be kissing you goodnight and asking you on another date by the end of the night.”
She blushed again but it was a good one, not a completely embarrassed one. “Good, because I want you to kiss me goodnight. But there better be tongue this time.” She winked.
“So demanding,” he said with a laugh and reached into his back pocket and pulled out his wallet. “You ready to go commit a felony?”
“Is anyone ever really ready to commit a felony?” She finished her wine and smiled. “Think Ria will bail us out?”
He snorted and placed some bills on the table before standing up and offering her his hand. “That would imply I ever get caught.”
“You some kinda catacombs ninja?” she asked as she got up.
“That or I’m good at picking locks,” he said, tucking her hands in his and heading out of the restaurant. “It’s a little bit of a walk but it’s a nice night, so I hope you don’t mind.”
“These boots are pretty comfortable. I can run in them if need be,” she said and grinned. “So, lock picking your hidden talent?”
“I never question women’s abilities to walk miles in their shoes,” he looked down at her boots. “Well, maybe if you were in high heels I might be slightly concerned. I’m not stupid enough to ever make a comment, though. Now, as far as hidden talents, my lock picking ability isn’t exactly hidden. I just happen to like to visit places when there isn’t a crowd.”
“Sensible,” she agreed. “Gotta be able to do the damn thing. So, what are the hidden talents then?”
“Not sure I have any of those,” he said with a slight frown. “I mean, do people actually have hidden talents? If it’s a talent, why would you hide it?”
“Hidden as in you didn’t know you could do it. It’s innate,” she offered. “Like my sister can write with her toes. Totally gross and weird but...”
“I don’t even want to know how someone figures out they can do that. But no, I don’t believe I have any. How about you?”
“I can roll my tongue like a wave.” She stopped walking and opened her mouth to show him. Tongue tip pressed against the backs of her bottom teeth, she wiggled her tongue, and it made a rolling motion. “Though I don’t know if that’s hidden or not.”
“It’s only a talent if you can do other things while the tongue is rolling,” he said with a bob of his brows before he laughed. “Seriously, though, exactly how did you figure out you could do that?”
“Theo,” she said simply. “One night we were talking about weird shit. She said she could curl her tongue, but she couldn’t roll it. Asked if I could so I tried. Bam. I can also unwrap a Starburst with just my tongue as well. Apparently, that’s pretty impressive.” She shrugged. “I can also hum and pop my lips at the same time, kinda like beat boxing but that was a learned thing. Duke can throw his voice so that’s weird...”
“I feel like I’ve missed a significant part of my life not trying to find out if I have any hidden talents. Or should I say, strange and random talents,” he added with a laugh.
“Right? This is what happens when you are bored at a party with a bunch of assholes that don’t talk to you. You figure out your own fun. When did you figure out you wanted to be a tattoo artist?”
“Sounds like you were better off not talking to any of them,” he said as they continued walking. “Let’s see, I started drawing around two. By the time I was ten, my dad noticed I had some talent so he started buying me all the good shit, I’m talking paints, charcoals, oils. I tried them all but my real love was pencils. I like details and line work. When I was thirteen one of my older brothers took me to a tattoo parlor, he said that’s the kinda work I should be doing. Fuck putting something on paper that can get thrown out, I should be making art that was permanent. So, by fifteen I had my first apprenticeship.”
“Wow. That’s impressive. I do love your style, the work I saw is effortless. You have serious talent, Million.”
“Thank you,” he said with a genuine smile. “I’ve worked my ass off to make sure my work was worthy of being on someone’s body. I’m damn proud of what I do and I don’t care if that makes me a bit arrogant.”
“No way. Not arrogant in the least. Knowing you have talent is not arrogance. It’s being self-aware.”
“Self-aware... Yeah, I like that.” They walked for another fifteen minutes, mostly in silence, but it wasn’t one of those awkward silences. It was actually really nice. Then he was pulling her along with him to the side of a building and putting his finger up to his lips. “I’m going to tell you a secret,” he said, pulling her closer so he could lean down and whisper against her ear. “You can’t tell anyone, though, or it will ruin my rep. A friend of mine actually works here and left the side door open for me.”
Her grin was wide. “Oh, your secret is safe with me, always.” Being this close to him, her heart sped up just enough that she swallowed back the butterflies. She was about to pull away when a vibration started between them. She started and looked down and then back up as it happened again.
“Please tell me that vibration is because you really like being this close to me,” he said, leaning his head back but still staying close to her.
“No... Well, yes, I do...” She felt the blush creep up once more. “It’s my phone. Shit.”
“You better answer it because if you don’t it’s going to keep vibrating and...” His smile was broad, lighting his eyes.
“And then we are going nowhere,” she said and frowned, pulling the phone from her vest pocket and hit accept. “Riddle.”
“Hey, Riddle.” She heard Faust’s voice. Shit. “We have a game coming up.”
She frowned harder. How the hell had enough time passed for another game already? “When?”
“Two days. Info is happening in an hour on Hybrasil. Can you make it?”
She looked to Million, who was close enough to hear the entire conversation.
“She’ll be there,” Million said loud enough for Faust to hear him. “Though your timing seriously sucks, faeblin.”
There was a chuckle on the other end. “Relay my regrets to the demon, will you?” he said to her. “And bring him along. You should have an escort.” He hung up and she looked up and blew out a breath. “Shit.”
“I hope he realizes I’m going to figure out a way to call him right when he and Eira have some alone time,” Million said. “Guess we need to get back to Grave so I can get you over to Hybrasil.” While he said the words, he still hadn’t moved.
She nodded. “I guess so.” Her tongue rolled over her bottom lip and she swallowed again. Gods, why did him being so close thrill her so much? “I’m sorry we got interrupted. I honestly didn’t even realize we were this close to another game.”
“It’s okay,” he said as his eyes briefly moved to her mouth. “I know it’s technically only been half a date but...” He cupped her face, tilting it up toward his, then he was kissing her. Unlike the last kiss he gave her, this one was full of heat. It didn’t take him long before he swept his tongue into her mouth, his hands moving to rest against her hips, keeping her against him.
The butterflies were back, but they were exploding in her stomach. She returned the kiss, the deep soul-searing kiss, her body molding to his, fitting so perfectly against him, her hands on his sides, sliding to the small of his back. The kiss felt like forever, against a building in Naples, lit only by the streetlamp. It was perfect, and she moaned into his mouth, unable to get enough.
She heard him growl against her lips and the sound vibrated through her. Somehow, he kissed her deeper, pressed her even closer against him. His hands moved to her ass and he pulled her bottom lip with his teeth before taking a step back. Breathing a little heavy, he looked at her and licked his lips. “You’re a dangerous one, Riddle Echo. I better get you back before I forget you have someplace you need to be.”
Dazed, she blinked, and pouted momentarily, then blinked again. Damn it, they were getting somewhere very, very good. And his hands on her ass were like a goddamn revelation. She affected him...and it was seriously heady. “I guess so. You planning to come with me?”
“Depends, are you inviting me to come with you?” he asked, his smile back.
She nodded. “We have a date to finish.” She grinned. “And another kiss.”
“In that case, damn straight I’m coming with you. Come on, we gotta walk back to the portal.”
Forty minutes later they were stepping through the portal from Grave to Hybrasil. The walk back had been charged between them, and he had held her hand the entire way. They made good time, and while she had been honest about her boots, her feet were slightly achy. But goddamn the night had been awesome so far.
The Sithen was alive with light and the murmurs of people floated on the breeze from the open French doors. She spied Alyx and Hutch, Verity and Nassar, and Aziz and both his wives through the open doors.
“Wonder if Tez came over with Gogo,” she said as they walked forward. She had planned to call him but knew he probably forgot his phone back at their Sithen as it wasn’t something he was used to carrying.
“Does Cetus know your god is hanging out with his woman?” Million said with a laugh.
“Does Riddle know this will be the last date with you?” a deep male voice said from behind them. When they looked over their shoulders, they saw Cetus standing there, brow raised, with Gogo.
“Cetus,” Million said with a grin, “always a pleasure to run into you.”
Cetus huffed. “Tez is inside. When Gobeth got the call, he figured you’d come here through Grave Court.”
“And he would be right. He leave his phone at our Sithen?” she asked as she hugged Gogo.
“I think so. He looked surprised and then hitched a ride with us.” She smiled. “Hello, Million.”
“Why is this the last date, Cetus?” Riddle asked as she kissed the god on the cheek.
“Because he apparently plans to kill me after my little comment,” Million said and hugged Gogo, kissing her cheek. Cetus huffed again and took Gogo’s hand. “Come on, astéri, let’s go find ourselves a seat.
“We better go and find your god,” Million told her.
They walked in and she saw Tez standing with Sen and Anders and waved as she went to him, hugging him as they reached him. “I’m glad you are here,” she said and kissed him softly. “Good visit with Cetus?”
“Actually, spent most of the time talking with Nihar. That room with keys is still mystifying me,” Tez said and ran his hand down her back, keeping her tucked against him as he spoke. “He’s going to see if he can’t figure it out.” He looked up. “Million, good to see you again. Hope your evening wasn’t interrupted too badly.”
“Well, she didn’t ditch me when her phone rang, so I’m counting it a win,” the demon said with a smile.
“Wait,” Senara said, looking between Riddle and Million. “Were you two on a date?”
Riddle nodded. “We were going to break into the catacombs...” she started and Anders growled.
“Faust, you shit heel, get on with this madness, will you? I think you just cock-blocked the demon.”
“Don’t worry, I plan to repay the favor to Faust at the best possible time,” Million said with a grin.
“Anders,” Sen said in a low voice and smacked the huntsman on the stomach, “I don’t think the entire room needs to hear about cock-blocking.”
Tez leaned down and lowered his voice. “Considering the look Anders had on his face when they got here, I don’t think he’s only speaking about the demon.”
“Yeah, but this, her getting all riled up, is more foreplay for them,” Riddle said softly so only Tez and Million could hear.
“I’m sure it’s not just the demon that got cock-blocked,” Anders said. “I had you bent over.”
“Damn huntsman,” Barden said as he walked in with Ria.
Faust shook his head. “Apologies for interrupting all of your nights,” he said and winked at Senara. “Many apologies, Highness...”
“Don’t you dare bring me into this, Faust,” Senara said, her entire face turning pink.
“Did anyone else here know our sweet little queen knew how to say the word cock?” Addie said from where she was sitting on one of the couches, her boot-covered feet on the table in front of her.
Senara managed to get even more embarrassed. “If we could please start? I believe everyone is here.”
“Yes...” Faust grinned. “We have information for the next game.”
“Well don’t leave us in suspense, man. Just fucking tell us.”
“It’s an obstacle course. One where participants will have to try to gain the prize.” He looked to Cosmo who had walked in then with a cart of libations. “Cosmo?”
“This cycle’s prize is the Crystal Goblet of Aether,” he said with a smile. “As Lord Faust said, participants will have to make it through the obstacle course to reach it. The first house to do so, wins.”
“So, what’s the game of it?” Aziz asked.
“Oh.” Cosmo smiled. “You will each be working against each other, as well as the obstacles. Each house will try to thwart the others in their tasks.”
“You mean,” Riddle said, “basically, it’s a melee to stop the others from getting the goblet?”
Cosmo nodded. “A good-natured one, of course. This isn’t to the death or anything. Each house will choose one participant to play for their house.”
Verity arched a brow. “So let me get this straight. One person from each participating house will have to not only make it to the prize, but have to fight off the advances of others that are trying to stop them.” Cosmo nodded again. “Is this done individually or all at once?”
“All at once.”
“So, no royal participating in this one unless the royal is the participant?” Addie asked. “I’m also assuming when you say try to thwart the others, you do mean they’ll be able to use their powers to do so.” A grin spread across her face.
“Oh, a defensive battle royale!” Ria said with a giggle. “That’ll be fun.”
Theo, who was sitting on Nareau’s lap, grinned. “Oh, this is going to be fun. And we can choose anyone from our house?”
Cosmo nodded again. “Anyone. And no, Princess Adeline. No royals participating unless they choose to. This is a single-player game so to speak.”
“Damn,” Addie said. “I so would have done this one. For the first time ever, I’m pissed I have no powers.”
“I do have powers now,” Eira said, “and mine would not come in handy. I’d actually end up killing someone.”
“Looks like this trial will be for our court’s member who has the best defensive power,” Senara said and looked at Anders. “If you promise not to remove anyone’s intestines, I might let you play.”
“I guarantee nothing,” he said with a smirk. “Ria, you going to let that fucking lunatic play with his gross snotty fingers?” he said of Niko.
“You mean am I going to try to convince Mr. Grumpy to play with his snotty fingers?” Ria said, grinning at Anders. “I don’t know, but I’m sure gonna try.”
Cetus looked over at Tez. “I dare you to go up against me, you fuck.”
“That would be a walk in the park, squid boy,” Tez said to him. “What are you going to do, trip me with your tentacle?”
“He might,” Aziz said.
“I’m putting my money on my BFF,” Tripp said.
“Ryker is going to do this?” Theo asked.
“No, Ryker is my hetero life mate. I mean your sewer-dwelling boyfriend there.”
“Tripp, we already told you that isn’t real...” This came from Barden.
Nareau shook his head. “I’m not doing this one. While my powers are fucking top notch, I think Geir would be better suited for this trial.” He looked at Theo, his hand moving over her thigh. “What do you think? Should we let the kid have a little fun?”
“If Geir is going in, I know exactly who I’m recruiting,” Addie said with a wicked little smile.
“I think he would love it,” Theo said and rubbed her nose against his.
“And when are we supposed to be ready for the obvious disaster and which court is supplying the medical aid?” Nymea asked.
“Two days’ time,” Faust said and Cosmo nodded. “As to medical...”
Verity looked to Nymea. “You think we will need it? Medical, I mean?”
Gogo sighed. “The hunt will set up a triage hospital. Everyone is going to be a mess.”
Nymea looked over at Verity and raised a brow. “Hearing who is already going to be participating, I have no doubt we’re going to need medical. They’re all insane.”
“Oh,” Addie said. “I have the perfect idea for side bets on this trial now. Thanks, Mea.”
“Dare I ask?” Theo said.
“You’ll find out tomorrow when all the lines get posted to the site,” Addie said with a grin.
“That sounds ominous,” Verity said and shook her head.
“Do we have a location?” Riddle asked.
“Six hours before,” Cosmo said, “a text will go out to you all.”
“Well, that’s it,” Faust offered. “Feel free to go back to whatever debauchery you were involved in before I called.” He looked to Million and winked.
Million scratched his forehead with his middle finger. “Guess we know you weren’t interrupted.” He looked over to where Eira was sitting. “I’m sorry, Princess, at least you have two more at home.”
Eira started laughing. “You better watch yourself, demon.”
Faust rolled his eyes. “At least I have been there already. Heaven is a place, believe me.”
“Jesus, I’m not sitting here for this shit,” Alyx said. “Come on, baby. We have things to get back to.”
“We will see everyone in two days,” Senara said. “Enjoy the rest of your evening.”
The party broke up quickly, each of the royals talking with their entourage as they left, and soon it was just Riddle, Tez, Million, Ria and Barden left.
“You have any idea who you are going to choose?” she asked Ria.
“Oh, I’m going to talk Niko into it,” Ria said. “I have two days but I think I can get it done. I can’t be pretty persuasive. Isn’t that right, Barden?” She looked up at her fox and smiled.
“Extremely.” He pulled her into a kiss. “Should we get back to our date?”
“Most definitely,” Ria said with a giggle. “And I believe Million and Riddle should be getting back to theirs.” She eyed them both and Riddle could tell she was trying her hardest not be excited. “I mean, you were having a good time before this, right?”
“Very good time,” Million said. “But there wasn’t a doubt in that.”
She nodded. “Can I call you tomorrow?” she said to her friend. “I know we had plans for two days from now, but now we have big plans.”
“Duh,” Ria said. “Though, if I don’t answer, leave me a message. I might be in the middle of convincing Niko.”
“Good luck with that...all around.” She laughed. “You are going to need it.”
“Come on, love,” Barden took Ria’s hand. “Have a good night, guys.”
“See you guys tomorrow,” Million said.
“I can find my way back to the Sithen if the two of you want to pick up where you were interrupted,” Tez said.
Biting her bottom lip, she waffled. She did, much, but she wanted to be with Tez as well. Looking at Million, she cocked her head.
“I’m leaving this one in your capable hands, Riddle,” Million said with a grin.
“I think we should finish our date,” she said evenly. “But I don’t want Tez to have to figure things out. So...I’m conflicted.”
“I think I can manage to figure out what to do with myself,” Tez said. “So, don’t even think about using me as an answer. What have I told you about that? Do what you want to do, Riddle, not what you think other people want you to do.”
“The god’s got a point,” Million said.
What did she want? Lord, she wanted to finish their date, and roll around in Million. Smiling, she leaned in and kissed her god. “I’ll see you later then.”
“That you will,” Tez said then pulled her closer and kissed her again. “Have a good time, Riddle. Stop questioning everything and go with your gut.”
She nodded and watched him walk off, leaving them alone. Turning to her demon, she cocked her head. “So, wanna have a rain check on the catacombs? We are on Hybrasil, anywhere you wanted to see here?”
“Are you kidding?” Million said. “Being here is way cooler than any catacombs. I don’t even know what’s here. Ria has told me about her ghost field, but other than that.” He shrugged. “What’s your favorite part? I want you to take me there.”
“So far? I like the Orchard, and we can have dessert, too,” she offered him her hand. “It’s not far.”
“Sounds perfect.” He took her hand and lifted it to his lips to kiss her knuckles. “Though I’m thinking instead of dessert, we pick up where we left off. So, lead the way.”
Blushing hard, she tugged him along, eager to get to the Orchard, and back to what they were doing.
Chapter
––––––––
Forty-eight hours later she was standing on a large open field, flanked on one side by tents for the different houses, and she marveled at how many of the house retainers were in attendance to cheer their houses on. She knew Addie and Hendrix had televised the revolution, so to speak, and that the fae bars and sports book were overflowing to watch the spectacle.
Cosmo walked out and opened his arms. “Welcome to game two, our obstacle course. Today, champions from each royal house will be competing to win the Goblet of Aether. Royals, please introduce your champions.”
Senara stepped forward first. “House Chaos and the Ash Court will be represented by Anders, who I have made promise not to remove any body parts for any of the competitors. And let me assure you, that was not an easy sell.”
The rest of her guard made catcalls at them as Anders lifted her up and twirled her around, kissing her. “You enjoyed every minute of it.”
Nymea laughed as she slipped her arm around Ryker, who was standing next to her. “House Blut and the Blood Court have picked my captain, Ryker, to be our champion today.” She looked over at Anders. “I didn’t give him the same restrictions, so you might want to stay on the other side of the field.”
“I’m not worried, that man ain’t nothing without you.” He winked at Mea.
“Just for that, I’m taking a finger. Which ones don’t you like?” he asked Sen.
Verity walked forward. “Sleeping Court sends my love, Carrigan Altemi, into the game.” She grinned.
“Oh, Verity, you have no idea what help you just gave us.” Eira stepped forward, a grin on her face. Instead of one of her men next to her, her father stood there. “Eira Lempta, of the Ice Court and House Lempta, is proud and honored to have my father, Pierce Lempta, the co-ruler of the Ice Court to be our champion.”
Pierce squeezed his daughter’s shoulder. “While I don’t need the additional help, I sure as hell will be taking it.”
Carrigan grinned and bowed to Pierce. “Welcome, sir.” He winked.
“In keeping with the trend...” Aziz offered as he walked up. “Lotus puts forth my father, Locos Kamalam.” Locos smirked but said nothing.
“Well, it’s official, Aziz is trying to kill his father,” Carrigan said.
“Oh, Aziz,” Ria said as she skipped forward, “that’s not very nice. He gets even more distracted than I do.”
“I told him if he won, I’d let him read one of my research papers,” Kaelyn called out from the crowd.
“You are all screwed.” Ria frowned. “That might be cheating!” She looked at Niko and lowered her voice, though everyone could still hear her. “Watch out for Locos, he wants that paper.” She turned and raised her voice. “Grave Court will be represented by my sexy baby daddy, Niko.”
“Looks like your attempts were successful,” Verity called to her cousin.
Niko rolled his eyes. “Get ready, you idiots. This is going to be done quickly.”
“Yeah, because you and your snotty hands,” Anders offered.
Alyx laughed as she came forward. “Arcane and House Mayhem sends forward my bad ass faeblin, Prince Abaxley.”
Gogo and Cetus walked up. “Dank Courts sends forth our High King, and my sexy tentacled bad ass, Cetus.”
“Called it!” Tripp said from the Blood court section. “I got a grand on you, Squiddy!”
“What?!” Ryker called.
Theo sauntered out with Geir on her arm. “Fever Court and House Amorenta enters my sexy badass, Geir Granier.” Fever Court erupted with catcalls and whistles as Theo turned and kissed Geir, making quite the spectacle of themselves.
With just Air and Sciath left, everyone turned to see who would come out next.
Riddle looked to Tez and took his hands, and they walked forward. “Air Court and House Echo enters our resident deity, Tez.” She grinned. “He’s going to whoop your asses.”
Addie walked out by herself, grinning at Geir. “Oh, big brother, are you sure you want to participate in this one? I mean, you’re about to get your ass kicked so bad, poor Theo will have to play with the rest of her guard without you for weeks.”
Geir snorted. “Please, I know you picked one of those idiots,” he said, looking over at where their siblings were standing under the Granier colors. “You think I’m afraid of any of them?”
“Them? No.” Addie grinned bigger then looked at Cosmo. “House Granier and the Sciath Court have chosen Leo Granier to kick ass for us.” Leo stepped forward and put his arm around his daughter’s shoulder, looking over at Geir. He gave him the same smile Addie had on her face.
“Oh, fuck,” Geir said.
“No fair!” Theo said. “Leo, that’s dirty pool!”
“What exactly are Leo’s powers?” Verity asked.
“You’re going to have to wait and find out, Queen Verity,” Leo told her, flashing her one of his famous smiles.
“Goddamn Granier!” they heard Tripp once again. “Thank god V’s already knocked up!”
“Someone please shut him up,” Ryker called. “Someone is going to kill him.”
Cosmo, unfazed from the ribbing and banter, stood forward. “The rules are simple. Make your way across the obstacle course and collect the goblet, while trying to keep the others from thwarting you. A good luck to all competitors. The game starts at the sound of the bell.”
Riddle looked to Tez. “Kick ass, yeah?”
Tez cupped her cheeks and leaned down to kiss her. “I’ll see what I can do. I’m not used to not being allowed to maim while fighting.”
“Just don’t kill anyone, but other than that, no restrictions. The rest of them are going to be wild. And watch out for Niko...his powers are gross.”
“So I’ve heard. I doubt he realizes I can neutralize them with barely a thought. It’s way more fun to be a sorcerer than a fae with a Hand.”
“We need to talk more about how you know all the strengths and weaknesses.” She grinned. “We got one win under our belts...”
“I’m a god, Riddle, there are a lot of things I know about.” He kissed her again then looked over her shoulder toward where everyone watching was standing. “Looks like Million found his way over to the Air Court colors and is talking to your sister. You might want to go save him.”
“Lord,” she sighed. “Go. Be bad ass.” She walked over toward the Air Court tents, followed by the other royals to their own tents. She smiled at Million. “Hey.”
“Hey yourself,” Million said, grinning. “Hope you don’t mind me coming over, it’s a dangerous place at the Grave tent right now. Ria and Kol are going full cheering mode for Niko.”
“That sounds extremely dangerous. Did she bring pom poms?” She leaned in and gave him a hug. “And you are always welcome at Air Court.”
“You diddling my sister yet?” Rue asked and Riddle’s eyes went wide.
“Jesus wept, Rue!” She shook her head. “Could you not?”
“What? Inquiring minds wanna know. It’s me. I’m the inquiring mind.”
Million smiled at Rue. “I never quite understood the whole diddling term. It really only covers a small amount of potential acts. And you can inquire all you want, doesn’t mean I’m going to answer.” He looked over at her, smile still on his face. “If Riddle wants to share with her sister, that’s up to Riddle.”
“Riddle is not sharing anything,” Riddle said and shook her head. “Go be a pest to Duke or I’m going to tell Dad you are asking Million horrible things.”
“Dad won’t care,” she said and shrugged with a smile at Million. “Well, if you’re not diddling my sister, I offer myself as tribute.” She winked and sauntered off and Riddle shook her head.
“Fuck’s sake, Rue!”
Million laughed. “I’m so glad I don’t have any younger siblings.” He stepped up next to her. “I took a look at the betting spreads, your god has good odds. Though, for some reason, Addie has Geir down for the worst odds. Makes me think she knows something the rest of us don’t.”
She arched a brow. “He’s up against his father,” she offered. “Leo does not fuck about.”
Sheridan walked up. “Lord Demon,” she said and bowed, to Riddle she grinned. “Your father is over there rooting for Leo.”
“Of course, he is, they have been friends since childhood. And he knows Tez is bad ass and doesn’t need it.” She winked.
Million greeted Sheridan, turning his head to look at the Ice Court tent, which was right next to hers. “It seems Princess Eira and Princess Addie are up to something. The two of them are over there whispering about something. I have a feeling poor Geir might not make it out of this trial in one piece.”
“Probably,” Riddle said. “Though Theo doesn’t look too worried so...” She pointed to the Fever Court tent where Theo was sitting in Nareau’s lap and clapping and bouncing. “God, I hope she’s just excited.”
“With the Fever Court princess, you never know. And Nareau isn’t shy,” Sheridan said. “I’ll leave you two.” She winked and walked off.
“I’m glad you came over,” she said to Million when they were alone. “Is it wrong to admit I missed you these two days?”
“In my opinion, it would be wrong if you didn’t. I’m hoping you have a day or night free soon where I can come see you again.”
She bit her bottom lip and then smiled. “You know you are welcome any time at my Sithen, right?” She moved closer to him. “Anytime. With our schedules different because of the time difference, I’ll be honest, I wouldn’t mind coming home to find you there.”
“Except, the way you work I could be waiting there for days,” he said with a laugh. “As long as Tez plays chess, I suppose I could wait that long.”
She laughed. “You could just show up and whisk me away,” she offered and took his hand. “I would not say no to that.”
“I’ll make sure to keep that in mind.” He lifted their joined hands to his lips and kissed her knuckles. “So, what’s your guess about what’s about to go down?”
“Nothing good. This is going to devolve down into who can maim who and get away with it. Though I’ll be honest...my money is on who is going to win. And it won’t be Carrigan.” She laughed.
“Damn, woman, what do you have against the poor ice fae? I’ve seen his powers, he can take people out if wants.”
“He’s a bad ass...but he’s outclassed and outmatched.” She grinned. “Everyone else has defensive hands, speed, magic... If V was playing this to win, she would have put Quinn in,” she offered. “And with Anders pretty much clipped from doing his ‘Kali-Ma, Shuck De Dey’ move, he’s the only one Carrigan is evenly matched with. After what Eira said, though...I feel like poor Carrigan is going to be a tool used, not a contestant. Do you know what Pierce’s hand is?”
“Verity would never put Quinn in this trial, she would consider it cheating. Plus, it wouldn’t be much of a contest. The only one who could beat Quinn in a fight is Scur,” Million said. “As far as Pierce, I have no idea. I’ve never even met the guy. I don’t exactly spend a lot of time with Light Court folks, other than you.”
“Ah...” she leaned in. “Big Daddy Lempta can make weapons with ice...pull it right from the air. With Carrigan making ice...”
Million laughed. “Oh, that’s awesome. Poor Carrigan. You have any idea what Leo can do? Ever since the man said we’d have to wait and see I’ve been more than curious.”
She shook her head. “I’m sure my dad knows, but Leo’s never been one to flaunt it. I know about Pierce because Faust told me about the day he met the man in his office. Made a goddamn sword outta ice in front of him. Scared him to death. Seems to have worked out,” she offered.
“Contestants! At the sound...” Cosmo said as they all got on the ready line.
“Ooh, here we go. You rooting for Niko or Tez?”
“That’s a tough one. I feel like part of the Air Court team in this, so I wouldn’t mind seeing Tez take it. On the other hand, I’m Grave to my soul, so I wouldn’t mind seeing Niko take it either. Guess you can say, I’m rooting for both of them.”
The idea of the man as part of her court spoke to something in her soul. She squeezed his hand. “Interesting. I would love to win this, but if someone else is, it should be Grave and that beast. I hope it’s at least one of us.” Leaning into him, her back to his chest, she smiled as she felt his arms wrap around her.
The bell sounded, and all hell broke loose.
***
Ryker looked over as Niko took off, both Cetus and Tez hot on his heels. He turned to Bax who grinned and slammed his fists together, creating his starlight blades and laughed. “Faeblin, those are no match for this.” He willed the blue flame to his own hands, tossing a fireball at the other guard, not to kill him, but to slow him down.
“If you’re not going to set him on fire, then stop playing around,” Mea called out from where she was standing with the rest of her guards.
“Fuck!” Bax said as the fire hit the ground and caused a blue wall of flame. Ryker took off toward the three already.
“Not going to be that easy, you shit!” Bax said from just behind him. Ryker gave him the finger as he booked it.
“Watch out, Ry!” he heard from Damari and he ducked as Bax’s starlight blade almost knocked him out.
Fucker was quick but he was quicker. He took off at a run and vaulted a large stone, and then another, using his connection with Mea to use the regular fire, he shot the ground as he jumped, getting him to higher ground as the space under him was engulfed in flame.
“Please...” Bax scoffed and was next to him on the monolith. They clashed, and Ryker slid, taking out Bax’s feet from under him, laying him flat on his back. Back on his feet, he didn’t waste one second jumping from the height and booking it across the field.
***
“Bax baby, kick his ass!”
Alyx’s cheering made him grin, and he rolled, his shoulder sore from the layout, and was on his feet on the ground in a second. He stabbed one of his starlight blades into the ground and the packed earth cracked and traveled, reaching Ryker and sending his ass flying. Running past him, he shot him the finger and kept going, vaulting the next large boulder, then ran up the incline toward the wooden ladder that was suspended over what looked like a tar pit. Jesus, Cosmo wasn’t fucking around. As he jumped to grab the wood, the tar under him caught fire, blue fire, and he knew Ryker wasn’t far behind.
***
Ryker, bruised and sporting a broken nose, was not fucking about any longer. He saw both Anders and Carrigan in one hell of a melee with the older gents from the Light Courts, and then Anders was on his ass. How the hell they ended up laying him out flat...surely the Fae was going to be pissed. Racing up the incline to see Bax fighting his way across the burning tar, he leapt and made his way quickly toward the other guard. They met in the middle of the wooden hanging ladder.
Far enough from the rabble, he couldn’t hear if anyone was calling to him, but he was singular in his mind. Get the win, and then get Mea to ride him. It was shitty she wouldn’t do it with him covered in blood, but everyone he was competing against he actually liked. Killing them for some kinky sex would be frowned upon.
As he and Bax hung there, they started to kick at each other. “Dude, you need to give this one up.”
Bax laughed. “As if, you asshole. Alyx is getting that cup.”
Ryker kicked out and clipped Bax’s thigh, which made him cry out and then they were both legs locked and holding steady.
“Dude.”
Bax frowned. “Dude, let go.”
“You first.”
“No fucking way. I let go and I’m falling and burning my ass.”
“You are falling either way, you shit,” Ryker growled, his arms starting to feel the strain, lactic acid building up in his biceps. He knew he was close himself. But if he could get him to fall, he could keep going.
“No,” Bax said and grinned. “I think we are falling.”
“Oh, how do you think that’s going to happen?”
Bax grinned and his hand flamed to life, cutting the wood ladder.
“You fucking asshole!” Ryker said as they both plummeted toward the bubbling tar. He had to get those flames out, quick, and pray neither of them ended up permanently scarred.
***
Niko ran like a bat outta hell toward the first obstacle, his mind on the fact that his princess, and his son, were there, both screaming for him to win. Never in his life did he think he would be doing something like this, but when Ria had asked him and then Kol told him to be brave and do it, his heart just tugged. Kol wanted him to win, and he would win for his son.
He vaulted the first obstacle, ran full tilt while shooting noxious webbing at the ground behind him in the path of both Cetus and the jaguar god, and leapt up on top of the four-foot stair, and then levered himself to the six-foot one just as Cetus reached him.
“You do know that poisonous snot is no more than silly string now,” Cetus said from next to him. He had two of his tentacles out, using them to vault him up the stairs. They both heard a snarling sound before something black streaked by them, sailing off the highest point and down to the ground. “Fuck,” Cetus snapped. “Fucking cat, damn things always land on their feet.”
Niko sneered but said nothing and jumped, shooting his webbing at the monolith, covering the top of the highest one. Cetus was right, it wouldn’t stop him but no one wanted this shit on their body. It stuck to everything and smelled awful.
Back on the cat’s heels, the incline was no issue as he made it just past Tez and instead of swinging across the ladder bars, he levered himself up on top of them and was surefooted, traversing the rungs quickly from above. He knew Cetus would just use his tentacles. No talent ass clown.
A bright light flashed from below him and when he looked down, he watched as Tez went running across what was supposed to be tar, but now looked more like asphalt. Now in his human form, Tez looked up and smirked at him. The second his feet touched the grass on the other side, the tar pit was back, whatever spell the god used broken.
Showoff, he thought as he jumped down to the grass and was just behind Tez. “Not bad,” he said as they were parallel. Cetus joined them seconds later and they were on to the next obstacles, neck and neck, jumping from platform to platform, climbing the wall, though Cetus did take the lead at that with his tentacles, and then the briar patch where they all vaulted it and then were sliding down what felt like a mountain of dirt and dust.
Cetus swore and when Niko looked over his shoulder, he saw the god tangled up in vines. They were covering his legs and arms and trying to pull him into the dirt. “You fuck!” he shouted, looking directly at Tez. “Don’t think I won’t get out of this and kick your fucking ass. You remember Egypt?”
Tez laughed and grinned at Niko. “No way in hell am I letting that asshole win this. See, I’m smart enough to know that my female will be happy if either of us win. Though, I still plan on it being me but fucking hell, it’s not going to be him.”
Niko had to agree. Egotistical asshole...though coming from an equally egotistical asshole that didn’t really hold weight. The jaguar god, though, he was right. This should be between him and the god, though Niko had motivation Tez didn’t...his son was watching.
They made it to the next small hill together, Cetus cursing and bitching a blue streak behind them. The last obstacle lay before them and it was a doozy.
Three levels far enough away that long jumps were going to be the only thing to get them there, at various levels, the middle much shorter that the other two, was all that was left between them and the cup, which was sitting on a pedestal.
Below the pedestals? A yawning chasm of blackness. This was the real danger. Taking off with the burst of speed he had been saving, he leapt from the ground and vaulted the expanse between the ground and the first level, landing with space to spare. Not giving himself time to think, he jumped, dropping down onto the second platform about twenty feet below him and walked to the far edge and looked up. The third platform loomed above, at least sixty feet. No standing high jump was going to make this, no, he was going to need a plan, and fast, Tez was right behind him. It was then the idea hit him with a grin.
Moving back to the edge, he took a run and then jumped, his hands shooting the webbing as he did, and it propelled him upward, but it wasn’t enough. Falling short of his goal, he reached forward with one hand, and then back with the other and shot once more, covering the landing under him with the force of the spray and in front of him, helping him attach to the ledge as his fingers gripped.
Take that, Spiderman! he thought as he levered himself up. The cup and the dais were mere feet from him and he could hear Tez just below him. Not sure why the hell the god wasn’t already with him on the landing, he wasn’t going to look a gift horse in the mouth. The space between the landing and the dais was about twenty-five feet and it was going to take one hell of a Jump. Once again, he backed up, taking the running jump he needed, and launched himself across the void, taking a rolling dive as he grabbed the cup and sailed past it.
“Winner! Grave Court.”
Rolling to his side, he saw Ria and Kol jumping up and down just in the distance and then they were coming closer, Ria running, Kol carried by Barden to meet him as the dais and the stone it was on started to descend. Looking out across the field he noticed that all the obstacles were descending, and in mere seconds the field was flat, unmarred by inclines, pits, tar or fire. All around, though, contestants were lying on their backs, and he spied both Ryker and Abaxley lying in a pool of tar, though the actual tar itself was gone.
“Hell yeah, you gruff bastard!” Barden said as he approached and put Kol down so he could run to him. Grabbing his son, Niko lifted him up and handed him the cup. “Go, give this to Momma, yeah?” he said as he let Kol down as Ria met them with a grin.
His princess was proud of him and so was his son. Mission accomplished.
***
“Well, that was unexpected,” Riddle said with a smile as Tez started toward them. “Though I can understand why he did it.” She looked to Million. “Look how happy Ria looks. Totally worth the win for that beast.”
When she reached him, Tez reached out, pulling her against his chest. “While I don’t like being beat by a damn fae, I can appreciate him doing it for his child. I would have beat him if that squiddy fucker didn’t manage to wrap his tentacle around my ankle,” he said with an annoyed growl. “I’m not used to having to behave myself. Before you, I would have just burned the damn tentacle off but since you seem to like Cetus’s female, I refrained.”
Million coughed to cover up his laughter. “Niko should send you a damn gift basket. We might not see him again for a few days after Ria gets a hold of him to congratulate him.”
“If she wasn’t already pregnant...” she offered and cuddled into Tez. “You were awesome, baby, and I’m giving you full points for not maiming Cetus. We would never hear the end of it from him. He seems like the kinda dude that would moan about that for ages.”
She watched Kol and Ria dance around with the cup in their hands and grinned again. “Kol is looking at Niko like he hung the moon.” Turning to Tez, she grinned. “You know what they say. First is the worst, second is the best...”
“Hey,” Million said. “I believe you just called me the worst is some ass backwards way. Not sure how I feel about that.” He frowned, but by the glint in his eyes, she could tell he was teasing her. “As far as Ria being pregnant, you weren’t around the last time she was. Trust me, days...”
Tez laughed. “Well with Million’s first place, and my second, Air Court is staying at the top of the leaderboard.”
She nodded. “Cuz you guys are awesome, keeping Air Court relevant. Are you okay, though? Clearly Cetus was trying to kill people.”
“Trust me, I fine,” Tez said with a snort. “Cetus and I have gone at it before, this was child’s play.” He turned to look over his shoulder. “You might want to worry more about Theodora’s guard. It seemed he got his ass handed to him by his father and Eira’s father.”
“Geir was not going to win that one,” she agreed. “And Theo will nurse him back to health, trust me. Though I suppose she’s not going to be as sweet with Big Daddy Granier for a while.”
She watched as her own father was talking with Pierce and Leo, laughing and clapping shoulders. It was nice to see him with his friend, neither spent enough time together. The different houses were walking and limping off the field, and she laughed as both Abaxley and Ryker were still covered in tar, with Tripp screaming about the fact that they had no feathers. “Looks like everyone is leaving to lick their wounds.” She turned back to Million. “I’m thinking of celebrating our second place with ice cream back at the Sithen. You game to come hang out?”
“I wish I could,” he said, actually looking disappointed. “I have to work in the morning. I’m halfway through a piece and their schedule is pretty packed, so I can’t reschedule. Raincheck?”
“Of course,” she smiled and took his hand. “Thanks for hanging out with me while this one ran the gamut. And I’m sorry about my sister’s comments.”
“I’m a demon, sugar, you don’t have to apologize for anything.” When he took her hand, he pulled her toward him and leaned down to kiss her neck, right under her ear. “Don’t forget about my raincheck,” he whispered before placing another kiss against her skin and stepping back. “See you soon, Tez.” He gave them a salute before racing over to where Kol started to call out his name, or as much of the demon’s name he was about to pronounce.
“Guess it’s just me and you and that ice cream,” Tez said, stepping up behind her.
“Nothing wrong with that,” she said and offered a little shiver. Her hand, neck and throat all pulsed with feeling, everywhere the demon had touched her. “He feels different somehow...” she said of Million’s retreating form, soft enough only for Tez to hear.
Hands sliding to her hips, Tez leaned down so he could whisper back to her. “Different how? Different than other demons?”
“Well...different than other men,” she said. “It’s like you but...I don’t know...the feeling I get with you is static, electric, thrummy and charged. With him it’s...different.” She leaned her head back on his chest, her words low, and just for him. “Like a deep pulse, comfortable in a different way. I don’t feel anything from dudes normally. Like never felt anything around anyone but you and him. Not around the Graniers, or anyone. Like I don’t even feel anything when I have been around Canibores.”
“I think your body is telling you something, cualtzin. Might want to spend some time exploring that particular feeling.”
“You think?” she said softly but then turned in his embrace. “A puzzle for another time. Right now, I’m thinking naked ice cream in bed...with all the fixings.”
Leaning down, he scooped her up and started walking toward the portal that would take them back to her Sithen. “I don’t believe we’ll be needing bowls. As I told you before, cualtzin, you opened the door and it can no longer be closed.”
A chuckle ran through her, loving his smoldering demeanor. “Oh, I am glad we are on the same page, because there’s a particular body part I have been wondering about how it tastes covered in caramel sauce...”
Epilogue
Orson waited until his companion opened the door to the Social House for him before entering. It was strange to be back at the restaurant, knowing Tanner would not be there waiting for him, most likely with some sardonic expression on his face about him being late. Though, such expressions were no longer what Orson thought of when he thought about his late friend. No, the sight of him dying, of Eira’s men attacking until there wasn’t a breath left in Tanner’s body, that was burned into his memory like it happened yesterday.
“Master,” the boy next to him said, “your hands are shaking.”
Looking down, Orson clutched his hands into fists and turned to look at the boy. Though in truth, he was more of a man, but since Orson owned his every thought, controlled his every action, he was more a child than anything. The perfect weapon.
“I told you not to speak,” Orson said before heading through the restaurant to the back where he knew Riggs and Finley would be waiting for him.
“You’re late,” Finley said as he took his seat, the boy sitting to his left.
“Couldn’t be avoided,” he said and looked between the two of them.
“You’re up, Orson,” Finley said, looking over at the boy whose head was down, not meeting anyone’s eyes. Exactly like Orson told him to do.
“We lost Fever Court. We lost Ice Court. We have two chances left to make this happen. We need to decide where to put our focus,” Riggs said, turning his mug of beer around in his hands. Orson knew it wasn’t a nervous gesture, the man was probably imagining squeezing someone’s neck.
“Air Court,” Orson said without having to think about it. “Adeline isn’t even thinking about growing her court by adding guards. And she certainly isn’t thinking about trying to find her god. I would rather have things handled by the time she decides she needs to make that step. We especially need to take care of Riddle Echo since her god seemed to come to her already.”
Finley’s head snapped toward him at the revelation. “She already has her god?”
Orson nodded. “It seems he came to her. While we did not plan for something like that, we can still take care of it. I have something they can’t fight against.”
“Is he ready, though?” Riggs asked. “We can’t have this shit messing up. Not after the mess Tanner left behind. Hell, you can’t even show yourself most places. Eira saw you with Tanner at the chapel. She knows you were part of Tanner’s plans.”
Orson waved away his concern. “I don’t need to be seen. I have a puppet to do it for me. He’s bound to me, the connection can’t be broken. I own him. I’ll make sure Riddle doesn’t find her guard. I’ll make sure her connection to her god is destroyed. And I’ll make sure she ends up alone and incapable of retaining her hold on Air Court. Once I take the power, I’ll be able to control the Anointed. With that control comes the control of Light Court.”
Both Finley and Riggs grinned, eyes flicking once more to the boy. “We’ll wait and see then. If something goes wrong, we kill her. Simple as that,” Riggs said with a shrug.
“Something Tanner should have done with his little bitch and her father,” Finley said.
“He paid the price for his stupidity,” Orson agreed. “But he will missed.” Picking up the glass of wine that was set in front of him, he lifted it up. “To Tanner and to taking back Light Court.”
“To taking back Light Court,” the brothers said in agreement.
“This time, there will be no stopping us.” Orson looked over at the boy and smiled. This time he had a secret weapon no one would see coming.