Chapter One
Asher
T he palace was something out of a fairytale.
As we drew closer, I could see that vines grew up the walls, painting the white and gray with tangled strokes of green. Lilies of the valley sprouted throughout the vast expanse of grass that covered the hillside leading to the towering gray gates. Large windows sporadically lined the structure, giving small glimpses of the interior.
I wondered how something as beautiful as this city could exist when the world around it was so ugly.
Bellamy remained silent beside me, our horses nearly touching as we rode up the path to whatever future he had so carefully cultivated. My own lies and hidden plans hung heavy in my mind, reminding me that I would be a hypocrite to hold his against him.
I would leave soon, prepared to fight the fae royals who had raised me, who had betrayed their realm and their ward. The crown and the kingdom would never be the same. I would make sure of that. Overthrowing them was our only hope of stopping the coming war between demons and fae before it started—before it decimated both realms and dragged the mortals down too.
Around us, the residents of The Royal City smiled and waved at their prince, not even the coming twilight stopping them from being outside and enjoying one another’s company. Younglings roamed the crowd. Joy radiated from them all, uplifting my own mood.
Would it ever not surprise me to see beings of all kinds gathered around, freely mingling? And would there ever be a time that the small voice in my head did not deem it wrong or dangerous?
Many stopped to stare at their prince, some of the younger ones chasing Bellamy—throwing flowers his way and requesting he give them a show. The prince obliged, sending flowers of black flame into the air. For one of the younglings, he offered a small whirlpool of water into her hand, laughing as it burst when he released it. Then the wind came, fluttering in our hair and ruffling our clothes. When vines lifted off houses and danced with the tiniest little male, cheers erupted. The others argued over who would get a turn next, pushing and shoving their way to the crown prince of Eoforhild.
A few of the grown demons seemed weary of me, as if they could sense that there was something off about my appearance. They were right to be afraid, right to cower. I was dangerous. But I did not wish hurt upon them. In fact, I wished to see them live a life without war threatening their peace.
One demon in particular seemed to stare straight into my soul. It was as if she was unable to take her eyes from my face, her brows furrowed in concentration. She looked rather young, about the same age as Mia or Ignazio—Nicola’s father. Intense gaze aside, it was her mind that set off my warning bells.
It cannot be her. She has long been rumored dead. No, this must be someone else. But why then, would she be with the prince? Why would she be here otherwise?
From that point on, I stared forward, ignoring them all. It seemed I was deceased. At least, according to demon gossip.
Well, stares were better than being stoned—a definite positive.
Quicker than I had been ready for, we approached the gates of the palace that housed King Adbeel Ayad, the leader of the demons. Unsure what to suspect, I allowed my power to wander, tasting the air and the minds that occupied the area. Two guards stood at attention, wearing light blue uniforms with the demon sigil in black, white, and silver at the center. It was the clothing form of the tapestry that hung in Henry’s chambers back in Haven, a sign of the Sun’s deep love for his realm.
Both guards were on high alert, eyes darting between Bellamy and I as if they were attempting to decipher what he could possibly be doing with me. I tried not to take it as an insult…and failed. My chin tilted up faintly, a gesture that I hoped would make me seem more regal and confident, though it was just as likely that it made me look foolish.
“Open the gates, now,” Bellamy ordered the two guards. A mere moment passed before the gates were spreading apart, groaning loudly, as if they were not often used.
We urged our horses forward, both blue-clad demons watching me closely. I fought off the urge to stick my tongue out at the one who glared slightly. Their job was to maintain the safety of King Adbeel, and I could not fault them for doing simply that.
Blue and gray stones made up the courtyard beyond the gates, looking as if a beautiful storm was attempting to overtake a bright, clear sky. White stone arches lined the outer walls, creating a covered area to roam beneath. Beyond that, the castle stretched at least six stories high, the top seeming to touch the clouds overhead. Those same green vines crawled up the stone, like claws gripping the looming structure.
A large blue flag with the demon sigil flew on each pointed tower, as well as many within the courtyard itself. A square of the brightest green grass lined with multicolored rocks sat in the center. Randomly placed were patches of dirt that housed large trees whose branches and leaves reached towards the ground, as if weeping at the beauty of it all.
Bellamy still had that smile plastered on his face, dimples on full display. He quickly dismounted his horse, practically leaping off, his eagerness contagious. A stable hand ran to retrieve the reins. I watched as she offered Bellamy a swift curtsy and a small smile. He tilted his head down, a gesture no fae royal would have ever granted anyone in Betovere. Her scarlet blush made me smile.
That charming bastard.
Then he was making his way to me, lifting his arms to aid my own dismount. For no reason other than stubbornness, I attempted to slide myself off the other side, but Bellamy was there before my feet could hit the ground, catching me amidst a cloud of black shadows. The smell of cinnamon and smoke was heavy in the air, and I wondered to myself how anyone could live like this.
How did one survive love? It seemed desperate to take over my every thought, to throw out my inhibitions and bring me to my knees in submission. A position I would gladly spend all day in for the prince in front of me.
It had been one day since we admitted our love for one another, and already I was losing my gods damned mind.
“If you keep looking at me like that, Princess, I will be forced to take you here in the courtyard,” Bellamy rasped into my ear, sending a shiver down my spine.
“I did not take you for an exhibitionist,” I remarked, smirking up at the demon.
He laughed, a deep sound that heated me to my core. “For you, I would be anything.”
His sly grin was the only warning I got before his lips were on mine, the heat of his tongue tracing the seam of my mouth with fervor, like an attempt to memorize it.
Eagerly, I opened, tasting the rich flavor of the neem twig he had used that morning to clean his teeth. Moments passed, and he was lifting me up, my legs wrapping around his waist as he carried me through the palace doors.
A rough cough sounded from the left, and we quickly parted to see an amused blue-clad guard watching us. Bellamy chuckled, but I hastily wiggled myself out of his hold and stepped away.
I was so used to hiding, to feeling an overwhelming amount of guilt for sneaking around with The Capital guards and visiting vendors, that being open about my affections terrified me, and I did not know how to take this last leap into the beginning of my new life. Into my future.
Fortunately for me, the demon prince was far from dismayed. Bellamy grabbed me by the arm, grip firm as he tugged my body into his. His other hand moved to my throat, a ringed thumb pressing under my chin to tilt my face up.
Then he devoured me once more, tongues and teeth clashing, his hunger never quite satiated. Bellamy’s hand traveled up my bicep, which had become far more toned in our weeks of traveling and training, and then began sliding at a tantalizingly slow pace down my back. At the base of my spine, those wicked fingers just grazing the top of my trousers, he pulled away.
“You are too incredible to continue hiding. Your mind, your heart, your soul—they are rare and beautiful and worthy of being seen. Do not hide, Princess. Do not cower. Bless the world with yourself, and watch as we all fall to our knees before you,” he whispered, placing a kiss to each of my cheeks. Then he pecked my forehead, my chin, my nose. Finally, he offered a soft kiss to my lips, so much love poured into it that tears pricked my eyes.
I nodded, unwilling to speak for fear of falling into a fit of sobs. I had never felt so loved, so unconditionally treasured. If he was aware of the effect he had on me, Bellamy did not show it. He merely smiled, his dimples poking holes into his cheeks.
The guard in blue was not afraid to watch us, to bear witness to our affections. It seemed no one was, the demons walking around clearly unbothered but not uninterested. Servants were bustling about and courtiers were conversing, all eyes flitting our way every so often.
Do not hide. Do not cower.
Our hands entwined as we followed the guard through the palace, weaving past brilliant white corridors that were decorated with paintings. Some I recognized as Bellamy’s work, while others I could tell were not. It was as if his pulled my eye, begging me to notice the way the brush strokes moved, the play on colors, the often eerie look of doom and sorrow. Beside me, Bellamy said nothing, not even sparing his art a glance.
Greenery was everywhere, the air tasting clean and fresh from the abundance of plants. I took note of the lilies of the valley, so many that I wondered if they held significance to the residents of The Royal City, to the king, or if they were just a favored local flower.
Gorgeous blue runners lined every hallway with differing patterns woven into them in silver, white, and black. The bleached wooden floors below are a perfect complement to the colors. Crystal chandeliers sat above, reflecting rainbows from the demon light in a similar way to the one above Bellamy’s piano forte in Haven. The thought of the all-white room with the stunning black piano at the center brought a soft smile to my face. Maybe one day I would be able to play it again.
Light blue accents had been added anywhere they could be, flowing seamlessly with the white walls and abundance of plant life. Seeing the decorations that represented the pride of their realm was astonishing. Somehow, King Adbeel managed to showcase his love for Eoforhild without overindulging in the colors, choosing instead to sprinkle them gracefully.
Every demon we passed had the same breathtaking light blue tied into their outfits in one way or another. A startling sight, seeing as only the royals and the guards were allowed to wear gold in The Capital. The color of the fae sigil, of the palace and the center island itself, was reserved for those with a crown atop their heads. Here, it was worn by all who wanted to show their love for the realm that saw them come into this world and would one day watch them leave it.
Here, it was unifying.
“Your Highness, it is so wonderful to see you back home once more.” The female who spoke, her voice deep and soothing, was standing directly ahead of us.
She wore a sky blue gown that traveled tightly down her body, highlighting her every curve, the train at least five feet long. It was the type of extravagance one might see at a ball rather than casually walking through a corridor. Her hair was a blonde so light it was almost white, eyes nearly the shade of honey. They reminded me of Sipho’s. Yet on this demon, they held anger rather than curiosity. Like revenge left to boil, her golden eyes stirred with heat.
“Revanche, how are you?” Bellamy responded, his voice curt. I noted the way this female eyed Bellamy, as if she might kiss him—or perhaps eat him.
A far cry from how her eyes scrutinized me. Her thoughts, somehow both loud and flat, projected my way.
Who does this little tart think she is, walking into the palace on Prince Bellamy’s arm? She is not even pretty. Look at her ragged hair. Probably found her in a brothel and cannot shake her.
I simply could not help myself.
“Actually, Ree—can I call you Ree? Who am I kidding, of course I can. Anyways, Ree, he found me in a palace. Though a brothel does sound fabulous right about now. In fact, Prince Bellamy and I were just discussing exhibitionism. I am known to be quite shy, but for you, lovely Ree, I can make an exception,” I said, voice of sugar and ice.
The female blanched, but I did not see what she did after that because I turned and pulled Bell down by his tunic, bringing our lips together.
Either Bellamy was not fond of Revanche, or he simply did not care, because he met my kiss with full force. His tongue was on mine for mere moments before he began tracing his way down my neck with his lips, hand holding my chin up. Still, I managed a quick wink to the now raging female before us.
Bellamy stopped his slow torture, bringing his mouth to my ear, whispering to me in a voice of gravel and lust, “I am not done with you, wicked creature.”
I looked at him, truly taking him in. His dark waves were exceptionally unruly from the ride here but also from my hands finding their way into them. His cheeks were tinted red, from excitement or embarrassment I did not know. But it was the adoration I saw in his face that made me feel like the only female in existence, leaving me too stunned to speak.
“Where is the king, Revanche?” he asked the female, his eyes never leaving mine.
For a moment, I could have sworn a bit of black swirled in his irises, like ink spilling into blue waters. With a blink it was gone, and I was suddenly not sure I had seen it at all.
“King Adbeel is away. If that was where you were headed, it might be best to think of something else to do. Father needed his help in Andreia,” she responded, still seething. Then she looked my way, a smirk on her face. “My father is Judson Garnier, Lord of Andreia.”
Her pride at her father’s title truly rounded out her character, telling me everything I needed to know about her. I desperately wanted to tell her that I was a princess, that I was The Manipulator, that I was Bellamy’s lover. Anything to rile her. Instead, I nodded, smiling.
“Well, that is fine. It gives me time to show Ash around,” Bellamy said with a broad, dimpled smile on his face. “If you will excuse us, Revanche.”
“Wait!” she exclaimed, putting her hand on his chest to stop him. I quietly raged at the sight of her hands on him. Touching what was so clearly mine. “I have missed you, Bellamy. I see you have brought a friend, but what of me? What of the time we spent together? Does the agreement between our fathers mean nothing to you?”
At that, Bellamy’s eyes widened, peering my way in a panic. He looked as if he might take me and run or beg on his knees. I rolled my eyes, pressing past Bellamy’s simmering wall of fire and into his mind. Where he was obviously expecting me to be.
I am not some jealous fool, Bellamy. I do not care that you slept with this female, though I am interested in this agreement. But for the love of Eternity, put the poor thing out of her misery.
“Revanche, this is Asher. She is not a mere friend. She is the love of my life and the female I plan on spending the rest of my existence with. There will be no other, regardless of our fathers’ desire for us to be wed someday. Now, if you will excuse us, I would like to show Asher the palace I grew up in. Please do not disturb us again.”
With that, Bellamy grabbed my hand and began walking us down the corridor. One final look at Revanche had me nearly bursting into laughter. Her jaw was practically hanging on the floor, eyes bulging and tan skin flushed. She had her hands balled into tight fists at her sides, and there was a murderous tone to her thoughts. I smirked, turning away from her.
“That was incredibly sexy, Elemental,” I said, poking him in the ribs as we wove through the palace.
He laughed, tugging my body to his. One arm was wrapped casually around my shoulders, and I found myself subconsciously reaching my hand up to hold his at my shoulder.
Strange and unsettling, that was what this peace and comfort was. Never had I felt this carefree, and I wondered when it would all come crashing down. Though, in truth, I knew when.
“Where are you taking me?” I asked, trying to shake the awful thought from my mind. There was no use in ruminating on what would be. That only served to steal away the small piece of happiness I had cultivated.
Bellamy’s smile grew infinitely wider, his excitement seeping from him. He was practically bouncing as we continued down the many halls, the sun creeping down the sky, casting a vibrant yellow-orange hue to the white walls.
“Somewhere you will love,” he responded.
I scoffed, hating not knowing. My power pressed out, testing his mental shield to see if it was still purposefully weakened. Sadly, it was not, the black flames nearly lighting fire to my mind.
Just as I was considering ways I might force the information out of him, we paused in front of a set of blue double doors, the demon sigil proudly etched into them in their signature colors.
I quirked a brow at him, waiting for some sort of explanation, but Bellamy just laughed once more, opening the doors and revealing what was inside.
I gasped, nearly falling to my knees in tears of joy.
“This, Princess, is the royal library.”