Chapter 17
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Ama
"Little Temptress," a masculine voice whispered against my ear, making me frown and try to turn over onto my side in my bed. Who the hell was bothering me while I was trying to sleep?
"Go away," I answered in a muffled voice as I nuzzled against the warm, hard wall, pressing my nose into it. Damn, this was a nice wall. A nice wall of...muscle. A wall of muscle that I didn't recognize and that didn't smell like any of my mates. What the fuck?
I sprang up, groaning as I hit my back against a far harder surface, but I tried to scuttle back as far as possible in the container I seemed to be in.
What the hell was going on? Where was I?
I finally squinted around, ignoring the red light around me, and focused on the massive frame lounging in the stone coffin we seemed to be in.
Oh no. My imagination was acting up again.
"What the hell, dude?" I demanded, swallowing nervously because he felt way too real. "I don't think it's your job as my dream hottie to scare the fuck out of me!"
His lips pressed up into a smile, and he leaned his head to the side as if examining me. "I had no idea you would scare so easily. It's sort of adorable."
"I do not scare easily," I growled, gripping the stone coffin edge and pulling myself out.
I brushed myself off completely and tried to ignore the weird buzzing sensation running across my skin.
I shivered, feeling desire pool in my center as I took a steadying breath—one he interrupted by appearing right behind me and making me jump again.
His laugh filled the space as he wrapped an arm around my waist and rested his chin on my shoulder, apparently granting himself the liberty to touch me as much as he wanted.
"Ama, I am not positive how I should go about convincing you that I am not your 'dream hottie' as you put it, although I am glad you find me attractive. "
I turned sharply, and instead of backing away from him, I found myself plastered against him with my fingers digging into his chest. "You don't need to convince me because I know the truth."
He seemed amused by that, "Is that the case, Little Temptress? Do you believe that you are all-knowing? It's said that only the devil has that power."
"Well, the devil and me, then," I felt flustered as his eyes lit up with pleasure at my words.
"Exactly, the devil and you," he purred, and I inhaled sharply as he dipped his head and brushed his nose against mine, making my knees weak. I was about to say something, anything, but his lips brushed mine so suddenly that I was yanked out of the dream and into—
"Fuck," I groaned as I fell off the bed.
I lay on the carpet for a solid minute, considering not even getting up in the first place.
I frowned, hating that I felt consumed by such a weird haziness—like I was out of touch with reality.
I finally convinced myself to sit up and shielded my face from the light streaming through my balcony.
Who the hell opened up my windows? Or had I fallen asleep with them open?
I pushed myself up on all fours and dragged myself up onto my bed, my nightgown slightly twisted and my hair wrapped around my horns, making it hard for me to see. Well, until I looked towards the sofa and table in the suite part of the room, where Jace was seated and watching me with amusement.
"Smooth, love," he grinned, looking elated at having experienced my humiliation.
My cheeks flamed as I narrowed my eyes, "What the hell are you doing in my room?"
"While I do love you calling it your room," he purred, "I brought food as a peace offering."
Muttering under my breath, I grabbed a robe and pulled it around me, walking towards the large spread of breakfast food on the table.
Immediately, I pulled my feet underneath me and snagged some coffee, taking a big sip of it before focusing back on Jace.
I tried to not think about what a hot mess I currently appeared to be.
I mean, I knew it couldn't be good, but luckily, the man was gentleman enough to not comment on it.
"Thanks for the breakfast," I mumbled while eating a miniature chocolate donut. Immediately, I let out a small sound at the taste, causing Jace to clear his throat as I realized that I’d once again nearly moaned over food. Damnit. I really needed to get my shit together.
"No problem." He put his hand on the couch, reaching forward to play with my hair absentmindedly while studying my face. "I have to confess, I came in here for more than just ensuring you ate."
"Surprise, surprise," I muttered as he smiled slightly.
Also, I’d determined that the only reason I’d yet to smack his hand away from my hair was because he’d brought me donuts. I swear, food was legitimately my downfall—if someone wanted to defeat me, they could just leave a trail of delicious snacks and I would be a goner.
He spoke softly, "I want to apologize for my parents last night. I know they came off as more abrasive than before, but they truly are trying to act in the interest—"
"I really don't want to hear about why you think your parents are better than every single pure-blood asshole in the Kingdom of Pura."
"With that being said," he continued, ignoring my interruption, "how they handled it was wrong, and while we haven't known each other for long, Ama, I know you wouldn't appeal for a cause you didn’t believe in."
I nodded, drinking a bit of my coffee, and he got a concerned look on his face examining my expression, "Exactly how bad was it? I've only heard rumors of what it was like when hybrids still lived there. How did they treat you?"
I knew I could lie. I could tell him it wasn't that bad, but Jace deserved the truth because, as much as I was invested in saving the Kingdom of Pura, I also didn't want Jace and his family going into this situation blindly.
I didn't want them thinking that, if they did help save the kingdom, the houses would suddenly be extremely thankful.
I honestly didn't know how the citizens of Pura would react.
"Bad," I breathed out. "Of course, I had some protection in some sense because my father was king, but there were times when that did nothing.
It wasn't just the bullying though—it was the loneliness.
My friend, Zurie, never minded being seen with me, but the others, even the ones my own age, did.
So, socializing was almost impossible. Especially because their parents actively hated me and went out of their way to get Drayven placed on the throne instead of me—"
"Why him?" Jace demanded quietly.
"Because he's the perfect Reaper, of course," I muttered, looking down at my hands. "That wasn't his fault, though. He'd been groomed for it from a young age and fed a bunch of bullshit about me and how I was bad for the kingdom.
"When my dad sent me to the Summit, I didn't understand why, especially because it's all about diplomacy, and I know for a fact that most of the house leaders hate me.
I'm glad I went through it. I'm glad I met the people who were part of the process of institutionalizing hate for hybrids, despite the war ending forever ago.
"Change needs to be brought to Pura...I just have no idea how to do that."
"Why do you have to be the one to bring change?
" he asked, squeezing my hand. "Why do you consider people who obviously mistreated you your people?
I can understand your father and your friends.
But your mates, their families...the Kingdom of Pura as a whole doesn't accept you, so why do you bear the weight of the responsibility of fixing their problems? "
It was a solid question, and honestly one I needed to have an answer for.
I also knew he wasn't asking to be mean or antagonistic.
There was an earnestness to his expression that showed me he was actually curious—actually listening to me.
When was the last time before the Summit that anyone outside of Zurie or my father had cared about what I'd said?
I frowned, looking down at my coffee cup and feeling a small surge of doubt.
He wasn't wrong. Those people didn't want me as their ruler. In fact, they had actively gone out of their way to make sure I wasn’t.
Yet, in Impurus, I'd been welcomed with open arms. I knew if I told Jace I never wanted to leave, he would somehow make that happen.
It would be all too easy to decide to never deal with the problems of the Kingdom of Pura.
To instead find a new identity here and heal from the wounds and bullying of my past.
But then, I considered my mates and how concerned they were for their families.
I considered Zurie, and I couldn't handle imagining her being under the rule of someone like Finias' parents.
I considered my own dad, the man who had raised me on his own and sacrificed himself to make sure my mates and I escaped.
I considered the good I had seen in people, and I found myself wanting more than anything not to distance myself from the Kingdom of Pura...
but to change it for good. To remove the hatred between pure-bloods and hybrids that seemed to have festered and grown throughout time.
I exhaled slowly after draining half of my coffee cup, "I understand what you're saying, and I know it may not make much sense but...
it isn't about how they've treated me. I know, now, more than ever, there are horrible people in each of the houses.
But there are also some really good people.
Leading isn't always easy—my dad has told me that a million times—and it isn't about being liked.
It's about leading your followers towards a successful future.
Leading them towards something larger and more important.
I think...I think I can help change the Kingdom of Pura, and I have no idea how I will do it, but I feel like it's what I'm meant to do. "
When I met Jace's gaze, I could see him watching me with a seriousness that made me feel heard and respected, like he really cared about my opinion. His nod and expression were thoughtful as he shifted slightly, grabbing a coffee pot and refilling my cup before standing.
"You're leaving?" I frowned.
His smile was sweet as he crouched down in front of me, "Get ready, love.
We are visiting the seer for a blessing before the battle.
I may not agree with everything you are saying about the Kingdom of Pura, but you believe it, and you believe in them.
You're my mate, and if this is something you want, then I am going to do my best to support you in any devildamned way I can. "
"Thank you, Jace," I murmured.
I made a decision that surprised him, surging forward and pressing a light kiss to his lips before pulling away and putting my coffee up between us, offering him a small, teasing smile.
His eyes flared as he put his head down, seemingly trying to gather himself.
His hands gripped the couch briefly before his lips coasted across the top of my head, then he was out the door.
Nibbling on my lip, I couldn't help but find it a tiny bit amusing how affected he was by me.
I mean, it was also super hot, and I couldn't deny my attraction to him, but he seemed like a man who would be fun to tease.
I wondered how much it would take for me to get him to break.
Deciding to not focus on it for the minute, I made my way towards the bathroom suite and brushed my hair out.
After the ball last night—and my rather early departure—I had decided to spend the night alone, curled up eating food and relaxing.
It had been exactly what I'd needed, and I had even managed to soak in the massive tub in the center of the space.
As I got ready for the day, I grabbed one of the many dresses from the closet they'd stocked here at the castle, somehow managing to fill it with items that perfectly fit me.
I didn't try to focus too long on how that was possible, instead pulling out a gorgeous white dress that cinched at the waist with a red leather belt, then flowed out around at the hips.
I pulled my hair back and applied a little bit of makeup before leaving the bathroom.
"Finias?" I frowned, finding the Dark Elf standing at the end of my bed, tilting his head slightly in thought, while examining the floor in front of him.
"Good morning," he responded brightly, offering me a hand as I walked up to him, immediately curling against his chest. Tilting my head back, I offered my lips, and he was quick to mold his to them, making me let out a soft moan at the way he took control of the kiss.
My knees went weak almost immediately, and I leaned into him, his hands gripping my waist hard enough that my entire system lit up like a lightning storm.
My fingers tried to pull at his top, but he broke away, flashing me a wicked smile and capturing my wrists against his chest.
"Those fingers are going to get you into trouble," he brushed our noses together as I smiled back.
"I like trouble. Huge fan of it, actually," I explained, hoping to tempt him to kiss me more.
"I love your kind of trouble," he agreed, "but we are, unfortunately, required to go to this damned thing with the seer.
" I slouched against him with a tired sigh and nodded in understanding, knowing that this would have to wait until later, which sucked but was also important.
I hoped nobody expected me not to grumble about it.
"We good?" Colt opened the door, eyeing our position, and I nodded promptly and strode towards the Fallen.
His gaze was much warmer, as it had been after the pub incident, so I hesitantly squeezed his arm in passing, letting my fingers linger before walking into the hallway. My eyes immediately found Nico.
I felt my lips twist downward as I considered how the hell to handle this...
thing between us. I felt hurt by his actions, but I also didn't like how exhausted he looked.
Had the man slept at all? I took a step in his direction, seeing his eyes widen, but suddenly, my path was intercepted by Drayven.
I scowled up at him, and he winked uncharacteristically and dropped a kiss onto my forehead. "You sleep well? I didn't hear much when I was on watch last night."
"I didn't do much," I admitted, looking at where Adrien and Damien were walking down the hall. "Did any of you go back down to the ball?"
No, I wasn't wondering if they had interacted with other women. That would be insane...and completely reflective of my current insecurities with Nico.
"Why would we, without you?" Nico's response had me peeking around Drayven to find his expression serious. That made me feel a hell of a lot better.
Before I could respond, Jace's voice filled the hall, "You guys good to go? The seer is waiting for us."
Somehow, I felt visiting the seer was one of the most important things I would do today, and that was saying something, considering what my mates had to do.