Chapter Twenty-Four
Nova
“I read today that the core families all have castles in the Naqi District. No one says it out loud, but I think they see themselves as royalty, even though they aren’t.”
Castle Altair was not at all what I expected. Maybe it was because I’d seen Castle Zade and assumed each looked similar, but, regardless, I was stunned.
The structure was black and symmetrical, looming so high that the sharp points of the towers pierced the clouds. Dusty snow coated every surface, bringing an odd contrast of light and dark into the scene. Snakes were everywhere, the statues double my size.
“I can’t believe you grew up here,” I whispered into Altair’s ear. He sighed, his eyes darting around the area.
“Me either.”
We walked forward, my hand on his arm and our cloaks dragging behind us. The path was lit with violently bright balls of tech floating in the air, all of us walking along in a sort of line as we neared the castle.
Nerves clawed through my stomach, my hands sweating. Stars, we’re going to die here.
“Perhaps.”
Leave me alone right now, you’ll only stress me out more.
“Stop chatting with the voices in your head, love,” Altair whispered, tapping my hand. I looked up, eyes wide. Glancing down, he winked, facing forward again.
“How can you tell?”
“Your eyes twitch when you speak to them. Focus.”
“Seeing as you look at me enough to know something like that, I’d say you’re the one who needs to focus,” I teased, trying to calm myself.
Altair’s smile grew, flashing those damn dimples. “I’d stare at you all day long if you’d let me.”
Another couple came up behind us, close enough that we were forced into silence. We were only feet from the entrance now, and I could make out the shapes cut into the hedges surrounding the structure. Eight-pointed stars. Of course.
“Hello, Adam. Jenna.” I looked forward, seeing a startlingly beautiful woman. She had piercing blue eyes and long, blonde hair. There was a pink hue to it, the light around us making her look ethereal in her silver gown. Across her face was a thin glitter, mirroring the star-flecked sky above us.
“Elise, it’s so wonderful to see you. As always, you look like the stars themselves.” Altair grabbed her hand, placing a gentle kiss to the top. Elise? This was his mother.
“Thank you,” she cooed, turning to face me. “As the lady of this house, I think I’m supposed to look the nicest. Yet, here you are, looking like a gift from the stars.”
Smiling, I said, “Thank you, Elise.”
A sense of curiosity abruptly took over me. What features of hers had he inherited? Definitely her mouth, which was full and even, the dip in the center of their top lip deep. And then she smiled, dimples appearing in her cheeks.
Something about him being a part of her stunned me. Unsettled me. This was who Altair was born to be. What he was raised to inherit.
“Enjoy yourself tonight, Adam. Don’t let him get too crazy in there, Jenna,” Elise Altair said, winking in the same quick way her son did. I smiled back, nodding. Altair didn’t give me the chance to speak again, sweeping me away.
“Remember, talk as little as possible.”
“Right,” I agreed. That I could do.
We made our way into the entrance, my gasp loud as I took it in.
Dark wooden floors seemed to stretch for an eternity, with rugs and runners splayed tastefully.
The black walls were covered in paintings and adornments, silver everywhere.
Snakes and stars were the main theme, though very little color was incorporated.
Above us, a five tiered crystal chandelier loomed, lit by floating lights, the tech matching what was used outside.
“Try not to gawk too much, Jenna. You’ve been here before.” Altair’s lips were so close to my ear that I felt them graze it. Shivering, I leaned the slightest bit away, earning a soft growl from him. He pushed forward, his lips pressing into the hollow behind my ear. “Be a good girl, love.”
Fuck. I like that.
“Us too.”
Oh no. Oh no, no, no!
“Too late, we already heard it. Can’t take it back now.”
Is no place in this world sacred? Am I truly going to submit to a lifetime of privacy invasion?
Their laughs grew louder when Altair pulled his arm away from me, placing his hand on my lower back and swiping two glasses of something pale and bubbling a servant offered on a tray.
He passed one to me, clicking his against mine before tipping it back and drinking it in one gulp, his throat bobbing.
Swallowing back the borderline insane feelings suddenly invading my every sense, I took a sip of mine.
It burned in the same way most alcohol did, but there was also a fizz that came with it and a sweet aftertaste.
Satisfied by the taste, I drank the rest, earning a chuckle from the snake at my side.
“That’s our only one. We need to be clear-headed. Now, time to dance.”
Again, he took charge, setting the glasses down on another servant’s tray and pulling me towards a set of double doors that were left open.
Inside was a room larger than all of my family home, the floor a vibrant silver that shone and clicked against my shoes.
The ceiling was tiered, with another overly large chandelier and paintings of constellations decorating it.
The walls were draped with silver cloth, windows everywhere.
They remained open, showing off the night sky and the beautiful view of the stars.
People everywhere coupled up, swinging around the ballroom in time with the music provided by a group of musicians on the far end of the room.
We made our way into the fray, taking the stance Altair had shown me.
He immediately began, effortlessly joining the dancing bodies.
All I could do was follow, letting him lead me. And lead he did.
Altair swung me around, weaving us between couples as the music built.
He’d push me out and pull me in, dipping me here and there.
Removing his hand from mine, he braced his palms on my mid back and spun us.
Laughing, I leaned back, splaying my arms and trusting him to hold me.
He laughed too, daring to dip me even lower.
When he pulled me back up, whipping my body so quickly I got dizzy, he tugged me into his chest. One of his hands gripped my neck, bringing our faces together.
We danced slower for a few moments, our feet still moving in a sort of box shape.
Fingers slid across my skin, his hold tightening around my neck.
I sighed, leaning my head back. Only pretending, of course.
I was playing my part. At least, that’s what I told myself when he groaned and dipped his head lower, kissing my exposed neck gently.
A tingle began everywhere he touched, brandishing me.
“Adam! Jenna!” Altair straightened at the sound of the deep voice, his jaw flexing and eyes blazing. Then, as if it never happened, his face fell into an easy smile.
“Iblis!” Heart hammering in my chest, I peeked over my shoulder, watching as Iblis Altair approached us.
His hair was still shorter than his son’s with more yellow in it, but otherwise, they were nearly identical.
His eyes were the same bright grey, his jaw square and his nose pointed.
His lips were thinner, but he stood at the exact same height that Altair normally did.
The General wore all black, his vest blending with shirt and trousers. The dark clothing made every silver snake, star, chain, and diamond shine and sparkle. Like his wife’s cheeks, Iblis Altair was the night sky. As he neared, the dancing crowd parted.
An abrupt wave of fury collided into me, and I suddenly wished I could rip out the general’s throat with my teeth. Murderer! Destroyer! Abuser! Useless fucking bastard!
“I’m so glad you two made it. Elise told me that she nearly ripped that dress right off of you, Jenna.
And I must say, I might do it for her.” He chuckled, his fingers tucking a strand of dark hair behind my ear.
Fighting back the urge to vomit, I smiled, looking down as if embarrassed.
I couldn’t let my fury win. I was doing this all for my family—for Celeste.
For his part, Altair laughed along, though I felt the way his fist bunched against my back. “How are you, Iblis?”
“Oh, you know, doing my best. Good things are coming, which helps. Speaking of which, I’m meeting with the Colonels, and we’d like for a few of you more promising elites to join us.
Can I steal him in about ten minutes, Jenna?
” General Altair flashed a crooked smile, something that many women probably fell to his feet for.
I could tell that’s what he wanted, but I was terrified to make the wrong move.
To smile and then claw out his eyes. To laugh and then tear out his heart.
Instead, I nodded. Finally, I settled on, “Anything you wish, of course.”
The fucker moaned, placing his hand on my cheek. “Adam, I’m going to borrow her for a dance really quick.”
He didn’t ask, didn’t wait for Adam’s response.
General Altair pulled me into him, his hand holding mine and the other falling to my ass.
I placed my hand on his shoulder, hating how he brought me in closer.
We danced in a similar way to how Altair—stars, I needed to stop calling him that—how Azazel and I had.
Strangely enough, it was that name in my head that soothed me.
Relaxing into the general’s hold, I allowed him to spin me.
“You know, Jenna,” he said, his lips moving to my ear, “I’d like you to stay here tonight.”
Ill once more, I fought to smile, nodding. “Of course, Iblis.”
“Perfect.”