CHAPTER FOURTEEN
EMBER
MY ALPHAS AND I SPENT Valentine's Day in our tower, eating, drinking, and touching on each other. When we weren't tangled in each other's arms, we played with my new weapons, the sharp metal glinting in the afternoon light as we tested them out.
Later that night, I showed them my potions planned for Kwang, going over our strategy one more time. We were ready to face Moon's brother and put an end to his torment, and also to return the Silent Hex to the witches.
According to Ryung, before Kwang took over, the Silent Hex had targeted only criminals and corrupt officials who threatened the lives of the innocent. Because of Kwang, they'd changed. Getting rid of him would help more than just us.
On the day of the envoy's arrival, I made sure everything was ready. I'd double-checked things with the cooks who were preparing our food, ensuring the feast was befitting my alphas.
But only I was in charge of adding my potions where they needed to be. I'm sure Moon's staff was reliable, but I didn't know them like that. When it came to this, I could only trust myself.
That night, I was finally able to wear one of my formal gowns. Standing in front of the mirror, I let my eyes move slowly over myself. The black gown fit me like a glove, hugging every curve.
The neckline draped just off my shoulders, exposing my collarbone and the smooth swell of my breasts. My mates' bite marks were proudly on display. The fabric embraced my waist before smoothing over my hips and dropping to my ankles, with a thigh-high split that showed off my long legs.
Around my neck rested a silver diamond necklace. Matching teardrop earrings hung from my ears, and a silver bracelet circled my wrist. My hair had been swept into an elegant updo, curls pinned carefully at the crown of my head.
A few loose tendrils framed my face, softening the look without taking away from its polish. At the back of my neck, I felt my imugi resting there, having made himself small enough to fit that space, his tail curving over my shoulder.
I'd never dressed like this before, had never had occasion to. My life had been about survival, not celebration. Looking at my reflection, I barely recognized myself. I looked like a princess, like someone who belonged at a royal table.
Like someone worthy of Moon and Ryung. I turned when I heard the door open behind me. There stood my alphas looking sexy as sin. They were both dressed entirely in black: black suits, black button-down shirts, black ties, black shoes.
And they made that shit look good. Moon's pale hair was pulled back in a low ponytail. Ryung was sporting his signature man bun, the style highlighting his sharp cheekbones and intense eyes.
"Look at my handsome alphas," I said, smiling when they both blushed slightly. Damn, I loved these shifters.
"Thank you, princess," they both said in unison, making me laugh softly.
"The envoy has arrived," Ryung told me, his expression growing serious. "They're all gathered in the dining room."
Both alphas offered me their arms. I accepted, walking between them as we headed toward the formal dining room on the third floor. The imugi shifted slightly against my neck, sensing my tension and offering silent support.
"If you feel like you want to leave at any point, let us know," Moon told me.
Leave? I wouldn't want to leave. But I nodded as we reached the door, appreciating his concern. A guard outside the door opened it for us, and we entered with Ryung going in first and Moon escorting me in behind him.
The dining room was magnificent, all gleaming wood and polished silver, with a long table dominating the center. Crystal chandeliers cast warm light over the elegant scene, making the silver flutes of champagne sparkle.
My gaze swept over those present at the long table with its red silk tablecloth. The food hadn't been brought out yet. I took in the people present. I knew who Kwang was because Moon had described him to me.
I hated to admit that he was much too handsome for his own good. Kwang possessed a commanding presence at 6'1" with broad shoulders and a strong jawline. His black hair was trimmed short with threads of silver at his temples.
His eyes were dark and calculating, and they widened slightly when they landed on me. I managed a polite smile to everyone, not letting on that I recognized him. When we reached our end of the table, I expected Moon to sit at the head.
Instead, he pulled the chair out for me. I smiled and took my seat, relishing the subtle power play. Moon sat in the chair to my left, and Ryung sat to my right, my protectors flanking me.
I stared down the length of the table to where Kwang was seated at the opposite end. He was frowning now, his gaze darting from me to my alphas, clearly trying to piece together what was happening. The confusion on his face was delicious.
"Brother," Kwang started, his voice calm despite his obvious surprise. "Shouldn't you be seated at the head of the table, the spot befitting only a prince?"
Moon gifted him a sinister smile that made me swoon.
"Brother," my prince drawled, the word dripping with false warmth. "That spot is also befitting of a princess. Let me introduce you to my mate, Princess Ember Moore."
I smiled at the title, loving how it sounded coming from Moon's lips. Kwang's eyes widened as his glare landed on me. Yes, asshole, I thought. The assassin you sent to kill your brother is now bonded with him.
"It's nice to meet you, Prince Kwang," I drawled, voice deceptively sweet while my eyes shot daggers at him.
"So, you've found your mate," Kwang started, but went silent when the doors opened, and the staff began bringing the food in.
I smiled as our tasters tested our food for us, checking for poison before leaving. Kwang waved his tester away, asking the woman he'd brought with him to test his food for him instead.
I watched her with interest, getting strong witch vibes from her. She was a black woman, late twenties maybe, beautiful but with dark circles under her eyes that spoke of exhaustion.
She looked drained, her movements stiff as she sampled Kwang's food and wine before nodding that it was safe. Ryung had told me a witch always accompanied Kwang these days. Could she be the former leader of the Silent Hex?
The woman caught my gaze and quickly looked away, but not before I saw the flash of recognition in her eyes. She knew who I was. Yet, I had no idea who she was. She had to be affiliated with the Silent Hex.
I watched Kwang smile as he lifted his fork and began eating. Following his lead, my alphas and I did the same. I kept my eyes on the ornate clock mounted on the back wall, tracking each minute as they ticked by in silence.
My secret weapon was already working its magic, filling the air with an undetectable truth serum that would soon make it impossible for anyone in this room to lie. Including me. But that was a price I was willing to pay to expose the bastard who'd used me and tried to have my mates killed.
Tension hung in the air like a physical presence as we ate, the only sounds the clink of silverware against our plates and the occasional murmur from Kwang to the witch beside him. I could feel Kwang's gaze sliding to me periodically, assessing, calculating.
It was Kwang who finally broke the silence, his voice carrying the false charm of a diplomat.
"So, brother, how did you meet your mate?" he asked, looking between Moon and me with feigned curiosity.
My eyes met Moon's across the table, and I could feel his thoughts through our bond, amusement, and a hint of irritation. Enough time had passed now. My potion had kicked in. We were all affected by it, the truth serum circulating in the air we breathed, making lies impossible.
"I met her when she tried to assassinate me, and Ryung," Moon confessed, his voice conversational as though discussing the weather rather than an attempted double homicide.
The effect on Kwang was immediate and deeply satisfying. His fork clattered to his plate, his eyes widening in shock. Shock because he hadn’t expected Moon to speak the truth.
"What? She tried to kill you, and you let her live?" he roared, standing up from his chair with such force that it toppled backward.
His face had gone an interesting shade of red, veins standing out on his forehead as rage consumed him. I kept my expression neutral, though inside I was cackling with glee. Oh, how I'd been looking forward to this moment.
"Guards!" Kwang called out to the four shifters he'd brought with him, their hands already moving to their weapons. "Take that woman down for trying to kill a prince of the reigning royal family."
I smiled, excitement flooding through me. Finally, I would get to fight. Two guards rushed toward me from one side of the table, while two more approached from the other.
But I didn't get a chance to flex my muscles because Moon and Ryung rose from their seats. Moon caught the first guard's fist mid-swing and twisted, flipping the man onto his back with a sickening crack.
Then he stomped on the man’s head, twisting it in a way that had to mean death. Ryung grabbed the nearest guard by the throat and slammed him against the stone wall. Then he released his claws and slashed the man’s throat, causing blood to splatter on the wall.
I was not cleaning that up.
The remaining guards hesitated for just a moment. A fatal mistake. My alphas took them down so quickly that it was almost disappointing to watch. While Moon and Ryung were occupied with the guards, Kwang's glare was fixed on me with pure hatred.
He was about to lose his patience. I could tell by the twitch in his left eye. I winked at him, and that pushed him over the edge. With a roar, he leapt onto the table, sending crystal glasses tumbling as he rushed toward me, clearly intent on finishing the job himself.
Finally, someone I could hit.
I stood, kicking my heels off and hitching my dress up enough to give me freedom of movement. I leapt onto the table to meet him. My imugi slithered around my neck, and I could feel it pulling away from my skin.
“I got this, Imugi,” I whispered, and he settled back against my skin.
"Mate!" Moon called out, concern flaring through our bond.
"I got this," I shouted back, ducking Kwang's wild punch and landing one of my own in his side, feeling the satisfying impact of knuckles against ribs.
My dress ripped further at the slit when I lifted my leg, driving my heel into Kwang's stomach with enough force to make him double over. I wasn't some delicate omega who needed protecting.
I was a trained killer who'd survived on my own for years. And I was going to make him regret every moment he'd spent plotting against my mates. While he was still reeling, I slammed my fist into the side of his face, the impact making his head snap to the side.
Blood sprayed from his mouth, splattering the tablecloth with crimson droplets. Good thing the silk was red. Before he could recover, I brought my elbow down hard on his shoulder, forcing him to his knees.
Leaning close to him, I whispered, "Has no one told you to kneel in the presence of a princess?"
"You bitch!" he roared, spit flying from his bloodied lips.
Before I could hit him again for that charming comment, Moon was there, grabbing his brother by the throat and slamming him to the floor beside the table. I pouted, genuinely disappointed.
My alpha had stolen my prey from me before I'd gotten a chance to finish beating on him.
I had at least three more moves I'd been wanting to try out on his royal face.
I leapt off the table gracefully, landing beside Moon as he pinned his brother down.
Kwang looked back frantically at the witch at the far end of the table.
"Azura, now!" he yelled, desperation evident in his voice.
My gaze snapped to the witch! I smiled. Did I now have someone else to beat on?