Chapter Twelve
CASSIA
LEARNING THE WAYS of Greed is easier than I expected. I master it within five days.
Rexton and I cross paths several times, but he doesn’t approach me. I don’t approach him, either. I’m waiting for him to make the first move.
It’s coming. He looks at me with fire in his eyes. He wants me, and it’s only a matter of time before he gives in.
I know it, and I’m not the least bit surprised when the royal messenger makes contact on day six. He holds a letter, and he makes a show of looking me up and down before handing it over. I do the same. He’s an average-looking man. Nothing special.
“This is for you,” he grunts.
I open the letter. It’s an invitation—an invitation to the royal wedding. A handwritten note is scribbled across the top.
I look forward to your ‘tempting offers.’
I’m sure Rexton does.
—————
There’s a noticeable pep to my step as I walk down the row, searching for the perfect gown. This will be the dress I’ll be wearing when I murder Mammon. It has to be spectacular.
And to think I was beginning to fear an invitation wouldn’t come. Rexton’s avoiding me, but I knew I wasn’t imagining the heat in his gaze whenever we cross paths. I hypnotize him.
A small part of me feels bad about the part he’s unknowingly playing in his queen’s death, but I don’t feel bad enough to change course. There are always unfair casualties in war. It’s a part of life.
I’m going to wear silk. It’s an expensive material, one highly valued within Greed. I want to look good, but I can’t draw too much attention. I can’t stand out amongst the other guests, despite how much I may wish to.
I find something in a muted color.
When I return to Wrath with Mammon’s decapitated head, I’m going to host a celebration. I’ll wear something breathtaking then.
My party is going to be the largest affair in years.
I’ll make sure of it, and I’ll take great pride in retelling stories about my time in Greed.
I’ll tell everybody how I seduced Princess Amelia’s betrothed and used him to take down Mammon.
I’ll give every gory detail about Mammon’s death, about how it felt to sink my hand into her chest and rip out her heart. It’s going to feel so fucking good.
The hair on my arms stands straight at the mere thought.
They’re still raised as I make my way out of the dress shop. I’m so fucking excited.
Nobody pays me any mind as I return to the inn. The streets are busy, and I’ve done an excellent job blending in. It hasn’t been easy, but I’m dedicated.
I need to plan. I’ve spent years imagining the many different ways I want to murder Mammon, and it’s time to be serious. As much as I’d absolutely love to torture her and drag out the kill, I doubt I’ll have the time.
The wedding is my best opportunity, but I assume I’ll have mere milliseconds to take action. It’s disappointing, but beggars can’t be choosers. I’ll take whatever opportunity I can get, even if it grants Mammon a quick, painless death she doesn’t deserve. She deserves agony.
I also need to perfect my escape plan. I can’t teleport until I’m outside Greed’s borders, and the capital is in the heart of her kingdom. I’ll have to escape the old-fashioned way: on foot. It won’t be easy, but I’m not a quitter. I’ll figure something out. I always do.
I come to a hard stop as I reach my room door. It’s cracked open. I’m positive I shut and locked it before leaving. Somebody’s been here. I push down the wrath threatening to spread through my veins.
Whoever was in there better be gone. They’re as good as dead otherwise.
I roll my shoulders back, straightening my spine before closing the distance between myself and the cracked door. I don’t hear anything from inside, but I’m not taking any chances. I kick it open. The door slams against the wall with a loud bang, and I fill the doorway.
A man is sitting on my bed, and my eyes lock immediately with a pair of familiar black ones. Fuck.
Aziel cocks his head to the side. “Did you honestly think I wouldn’t find you, Cassia?”
I sure hoped.
I knew Aziel would be pissed when he learned what I’d done—that was a given—but I never in my wildest dreams imagined he’d follow me inside Greed.
He’s too recognizable, and sneaking inside Greed is too risky.
If Mammon knew he was here, if she heard so much as an inkling that a Wrath of royal blood was here…
I shake my head, not letting my thoughts stray that far.
I shut the door behind me, blocking the view of my room from the hallway.
“What are you doing here?” I ask.
Aziel raises a brow. “What do you think I’m doing here? I’ve come to retrieve my unruly, disobedient daughter and bring her home.”
Which of my big-mouthed siblings confessed? Probably David. All it takes is one disappointed look from my parents for him to squeal, his incubus genes making him too weak for well-crafted lies and deception. I should’ve known better than to trust him with this information.
Aziel stretches out his legs, drawing attention to his clothing. He’s covered head to toe in black robes, and if he turns around, I’m sure I’ll find a hood. He wouldn’t have made it this deep into Greed without his face covered.
“You need to leave,” I say. “Before somebody recognizes you.”
“Great.” Aziel rises, and I notice that my few belongings have been packed up. How long has he been waiting for me? I’m not sure I want to know. “I’m relieved you’re not going to make a fuss about this. Let’s go.”
I shake my head. He misunderstands. “I’m not leaving. You are.”
I’ve put too much time and energy into this plan to abandon it. I’m finally making headway.
“I’ve been invited to a royal wedding,” I explain. “Mammon will be there…”
I trail off, letting the rest of my sentence go unspoken. The walls here are thin, and I operate under the assumption that somebody is always listening. I don’t know how loyal Mammon’s people are, and I’m not looking to find out.
Aziel rises to his full height, clearly trying to look intimidating. It doesn’t work on me, and it hasn’t since my early teen years. His posturing has only ever invoked my anger, which is why he so rarely does it.
The sludge I’ve been choking down is doing a good job of preventing my anger from getting out of hand, but if Aziel continues to push, I’ll quickly burn through it. I can’t let that happen.
My power will seep from the room, and it won’t take long for people to realize a Wrath is nearby. A powerful Wrath, at that. Mammon’s guards will be called, and I’m unsure how many of them I can realistically fight off. I’m at a disadvantage, even with Aziel by my side.
We’re outnumbered, and we can’t teleport.
“Gray and Chev are waiting for us at the border, near—”
“I’m not leaving,” I repeat.
Aziel freezes, every muscle in his body growing stiff. He’s gearing up for a fight. I am, too, and I maintain eye contact as I widen my stance. It’s been years since Aziel and I engaged in a physical fight, and this one won’t be as friendly as the others.
Neither of us seems to be in a mindset to concede.
I’m excited. I’ve been looking for an excuse to fight Aziel for years, to prove that I’m strong enough to lead Wrath. Our people will never respect a weak leader, and I’m ready to show him just how powerful I am.
It’s a shame nobody from Wrath will be here to see it.
“Don’t make me hurt you, Cassia.”
Aziel’s threat goes in one ear and out the other.
He’ll never hurt me, and that’s his weakness.
He loves me too much. That’s not an emotion I’ll let stop me.
I’ll break his legs and force my power-dulling sludge down his throat if I need to.
I’ll leave him tied up and weak inside this room until my business with Mammon is complete.
I’m willing to do what needs to be done. He’s not.
Aziel sighs, defeat heavy in his expression. He must sense the direction of my thoughts. “Please, baby girl. Don’t do this.”
“I have to.” My voice cracks, and I clear my throat before continuing. “She killed Luca, tortured him, and something needs to be done about it.”
Aziel takes a step back, then sits on the edge of my bed.
The mattress creaks underneath his weight, and he rests his elbows on his knees before dropping his head between them.
I remain where I am, watching his back expand with breath.
He holds it for several seconds before slowly exhaling, his entire body deflating.
“Do you think I don’t know that?” he eventually asks.
I don’t let the pain in his voice sway me.
“You have no idea what Luca’s death did to us, what it did to me.
Not a day goes by that I don’t think of him.
” Aziel drags his hands through his hair.
“I have never…” He pauses, shaking his head, before continuing.
“You and your siblings are everything to me. I refuse to bring harm to any of you, and that’s exactly what retaliation against Mammon is encouraging. ”
I chew at my bottom lip, unsure of what to say. I understand the risk I’m taking, and I’ve deemed that revenge is worth it. I’m willing to risk my life if it means ending Mammon’s.
“Don’t fight me, Cassia. Not on this,” Aziel continues. “I know it’s hard, but let this go.”
I shake my head, hating the way tears are filling up and pouring out of the corners of my eyes. I don’t enjoy crying, especially in front of others. There’s a slight tremor in my hand as I raise my arm and wipe at my cheeks, removing the evidence of my emotions.
“I can’t,” I admit. “I can’t let it go.”
Aziel doesn’t understand. He doesn’t understand what it’s like to live with uncontrollable rage. I’m not stronger than my wrath. I never have been, and I never will be. I physically can’t let this go.
Aziel’s gaze darts to my door. My senses are too dulled to hear anything beyond the walls of my room, but Aziel still can. He has control of his emotions, and he doesn’t have to drug himself to remain hidden inside Greed.
He can contain the power that seeps out of him. It’s a skill I may never learn.
“We don’t have time to waste,” Aziel says. “I fear I might’ve drawn attention on my way here.”
I shake my head. “I’m not leaving, but you definitely should go.”
If looks could kill, I’d be long dead. Aziel appears ready to wring my neck, and I’m sure if I were anybody but one of his children, he’d be doing so right now.
People don’t disobey his orders, but that’s the unspoken benefit of having a daughter.
I push the limits of his patience, helping him grow as a person.
He should be thanking me.
Aziel grits out through his teeth, “Don’t make this hard, Cassia.”
I plant my feet on the ground, silently signaling I’m not backing down. I have a plan taking shape, one I’m confident will be successful.
If I give up now and return home, I’ll never forgive myself.
I’ll never have another opportunity like this. My fathers will be watching me, and they’ll never let me out of their sight again. They’ll likely create a rotating schedule for check-ins and, if Aziel is angry enough, he might make me move back home.
It would be too easy for him to put out an order within Wrath and Lust to deny me housing.
“All right, Cassia,” Aziel starts. “Let’s say you succeed…
” His tone is mocking, and I don’t appreciate it.
“Mammon’s children will retaliate, and in what world do you think they’ll come after you?
You’re my firstborn and the Crown Princess of Wrath.
They won’t take the risk of coming after you, not when you’re at full strength.
They’ll find somebody important to you, somebody weaker. Can you think of who that would be?”
I suck my cheeks into my mouth, refusing to answer.
Aziel continues. “Maybe your mother. Charlie has the protection of our bonds, but she’s still human.
She’ll be easy to kidnap, torture, rape, and murder.
Have you considered that?” Aziel cocks his head to the side.
“Maybe they’ll go after David. He’s the King of Lust, but what does that really mean?
The Greeds are under no illusions when it comes to incubi.
They know of your brother’s aversion to violence.
He wouldn’t stand a chance against one of Mammon’s children. They’re too strong.”
I press my lips together, refusing to acknowledge Aziel’s words. I don’t want to acknowledge them because then I’ll feel guilty. That’s what he wants. Aziel wants me to second-guess myself and agree to come home with him.
“My mind isn’t changed,” I say. I hope he can see how serious I am. “I know what I’m doing.”
Aziel blinks, then glances behind me. I barely have time to react before something sharp pierces the back of my neck. There’s a burn as something is injected into me, and within seconds, my body grows numb. I drop, caught by my attacker moments before I hit the ground.
The arms I’m pulled into are familiar, but I can’t quite place them. It’s most likely Silas. Maybe David. He betrayed me once by telling our parents where I am, so it wouldn’t surprise me to learn he’s also joined their mission to retrieve me.
I’m going to beat him into a bloody pulp, and then I’m going to spit into his eye. I’m going to make him cry in a very real, very genuine way.
I try to fight the drugs in my system, but it’s no use.
Whatever I’ve been injected with is strong.
Even without my power dulled, I likely wouldn’t be able to fight it.
My vision grows hazy as Aziel grabs my suitcase, and I hope he sees the anger in my eyes before my head slumps forward and I fall unconscious.