Chapter 43
Chapter Forty-Three
Lena
Kian hands me a gin martini. It’s been a long fucking night, and it’s only getting longer.
This den or office or library is cozy. The fire crackles, and he tucks into the seat across from me.
Apparently, this conversation required moving from campus, something about files and secrecy.
I was only half listening when he whisked me out of my room and into his car.
Instead, I was thinking about the mind-blowing sex we just had, the fact that I kissed three out of five of these prince pals tonight, and oh yeah, turns out I’m a fucking succubus.
Or half of one. I wish more than ever I knew my mother.
Being half succubus is pretty bad, illegal, maybe a death sentence.
All super easy things to deal with given the circumstances.
Lie. Apparently, all the prince pals now know and are willing to help with a cover story.
I doubt they would be so accommodating if they found out about the rest, secrets I swore I’d take to my grave.
Secrets that made my Rules so imperative.
I worry that if one of these royals pulls at the right thread, the whole thing will come undone.
They’ll crack me open like a chocolate Kinder Egg to find the ridiculous prize waiting inside.
I also wonder what hidden information they have tucked away between them.
Their interest in me seems purposeful. And I feel strong.
I haven’t had sex in months, and if that’s where I get at least half my energy, I’ve been near starving.
I learned in Devorare Studies that how much feeding a succubus needs to fill their power reserves is dependent on the power levels of those they feed from.
Considering I drank my fill on Kian, arguably the most powerful known fallen in the realm, I feel invincible.
These royals are keeping shit from me, and I finally have the mental clarity to deal with it.
Time to do what I do best: push buttons and annoy people.
“I have a drink, you have a drink; let’s get this show on the road.” I toss my still-damp and tangled curls over my shoulder.
“We will wait for everyone else.” Kian takes a sip of his martini.
Lovely, more waiting on these assholes. Except Cal and Ariki aren’t assholes if they weren’t involved in that whole mess.
They’re actually lovely. And Komarov isn’t so bad…
when playing chess. And Kian’s cock isn’t bad at all. Boden has no redeeming qualities.
“We can, however, discuss some succubus norms. Though Nik would be better suited for this than I.” He raises an eyebrow at me in question.
“You seem to have some experience with magicae like me.” I meet his eyes over the lip of my coupe.
“I don’t think anyone has experience with magicae like you, but I’ve known a few succubi in my time, yes.
” The color of his eyes deepens to a dark pewter.
“You’ll need to feed regularly. The more power you expend, the more you will need.
The problem is that you can’t sleep with someone who is aware of who you are and therefore will know you’re feeding from them.
No one outside of the six of us can know what you are. ”
I bite my lip in frustration. Shit. “That leaves me with few options.”
“A lot of the first years are kind of dim. If you don’t feed deeply, they may never know. There’s the option of feeding from mortals. I imagine that is what you were doing before you came here?”
I shrug and then nod in confirmation as I think about it.
“Though, you would need to feed almost every day.”
Exasperated, I run my hand down my face.
“There is also us,” Kian says, while staring into his drink. “Obviously, as your professor, Nik is not a viable option, and you and I were a one-time thing.”
“Obviously,” I parrot in annoyance. After tonight, I don’t think I could look Komarov in the eye again.
Maybe Ariki? That kiss was something. Maybe we have something?
We didn’t get to talk yet, but he basically confessed he has feelings for me.
And I’d be lying if I said they were unrequited.
I could picture it, him and me tangled up in bed together.
His large hands drawing little circles on my waist, just like he does in combat practice.
My hands in his long hair, his scruff on my neck.
His scent of sandalwood and smoky black pepper on my skin.
His husky voice harmonizing with the crystal tone of Callum’s.
Cal’s beautiful slender fingers. Their cold lithe movements balancing Ariki’s warm languid touch.
Wait, how did I cast Cal in a starring role in this fantasy?
Nope. That isn’t right. Ariki and Cal are together.
Ariki might have romantic feelings for me, but Cal definitely doesn’t.
Fuck, but then there’s also the chance that Ariki helped set tonight up.
I frown, my head full of so much opposing information even the clarity from feeding isn’t helping me wade through it all.
“Alternatively, I can arrange transportation for you to the closest human town to campus on occasion, if you decide to hunt mortals like succubi of lore.” One side of Kian’s lip turns up in an amused smile.
“Well, if it isn’t the little salacious succubus herself.” Komarov smirks as he enters the room, taking a seat next to Kian.
I feel my face heat. Damnit. I practically climbed him like a tree an hour ago.
“You didn’t know?” He arches an eyebrow in that way that makes me feel both chastised and in on some secret joke.
I shake my head in response, and he looks to Kian, who gives a dip of his chin in confirmation.
“Lena, I want to apologize for earlier. My actions were inappropriate. I shouldn’t have crossed that line with you.” His eyes are full of regret and something else I can’t fully read.
“Me too. I didn’t…If I had known…I haven’t felt something like that before.” I stumble over my words.
“You have nothing to apologize for. It’s my responsibility to maintain boundaries,” he counters, before taking a sip of his own drink.
He reaches across the low coffee table, handing me a book.
“Succubi are uncommon, smaller in number in comparison to other insignia. They tend to be secretive, so it’s difficult to learn from the source.
However, this is a good starting place.”
I say a small thank you as Cal and Boden saunter into the room together. Boden takes a seat on the sofa, and Cal claims the chair next to me.
“How are you doing, sweet girl?” Cal whispers, tucking a strand of my wet hair behind my ear. Their concern is comforting—this isn’t the behavior of someone who helped Katri and Michi humiliate me tonight.
“I’m okay. Tonight has been…weird.” I offer up a half smile.
“I bet.” They chuckle, giving my hand a comforting squeeze.
“Everyone’s having a weird night,” Komarov adds, his vampire hearing giving him access to our whispered words.
“About what happened at the ceremony… I’m sorry I didn’t realize what was going on,” Cal says, still holding my hand. “I had heard a rumor that you and Michi weren’t really together. But then he showed up at your room and I dismissed it as just gossip. I wish I had put two and two together.”
The door to the study bangs open, and Teariki stumbles in with a bikini-clad girl under each arm.
“I’m here, I’m here,” he slurs, giving the room a little shimmy.
“The party has arrived.” His drunken boisterousness would be cute if not for the scantily clad women hanging on him.
He plops down next to Boden on the sofa and pulls both girls onto his lap.
What the actual fuck? Did he seriously kiss me tonight and be all like “You feel like my place” and wax poetic about my taste and smell, only to be all over other women? I let out a little annoyed huff, and I feel Cal tense beside me.
“Teariki. What are you doing?” Kian asks impassively.
“Celebrating the beginning of hell year.” He raises a bottle of bourbon in the air before taking a long slurp. “Nik, I brought you a snack. I know you had your power reserves unexpectedly drained tonight,” Teariki says, as he pushes a girl up from his lap and toward Komarov.
“How thoughtful,” Komarov drones sarcastically. “Maybe later.” He prevents the woman from settling on his lap. “We have private matters to discuss.”
“I don’t see what’s so private. Seems like we’re a very open and sharing group. Right, Vladlena?” Teariki says coldly.
Fuck. He must know and be pissed that I kissed Komarov. Does he know about Kian and me? But also, I’m having a hell of a night. So screw him.
“Or do you prefer subterfuge?” He glares at me over the shoulder of the girl still in his lap.
“That’s a big word for someone so inebriated,” I snap back, my voice dripping with irritation.
I should be understanding and kind or whatever, and I probably shouldn’t have kissed his best friend or fucked his other best friend.
I screwed up, but clearly so did he. Fuck him and his pouty face. .. and luscious hair... and sexy body.
“Yeah, well, I’m known for my big things. Ain’t that right, sweetheart?” He kisses down the woman’s neck while she giggles into his hair. “Big hands, big muscles, big cock.”
I feel my blood pressure rise and cheeks heat. “Big head, big ego,” I murmur, and look at Cal out of the corner of my eye. Their hands are in fists, knuckles white with agitation.
“I think it’s best if the girls entertain themselves for a while. How about a dip in the hot tub?” Kian offers, and the women squeal with excitement. Boden seems entirely amused with the situation.
“I’ll be right along, sweethearts. I have a mess to deal with.” Ariki winks. “Get all wet for me.” He smacks the ass of the girl closest to him when she stands. Both women rush out of the room in a fit of giggles.