Chapter Twenty
Seraphina
The bath was practically life-changing. My sore limbs and battered body felt newly restored.
The heaviness weighing down my soul remained, but finally being cleaned of Laszlo’s horrible touch lifted my mood somewhat.
I would be lying if I said I was over it.
No one moves past abuse like that in a matter of days.
And while I prided myself on being a bad bitch, that fucker nearly broke me.
In some ways, I suppose he did. He stole them from me, my mates.
And before this final battle ended, I would ruin him for it.
There was no world he could run to that I would not find him.
The mirror fogged from the heat of my bath, and I swiped the water from it, revealing the stranger staring back at me.
The fiery red hair was so foreign to me.
Did they have hair dye here? My aquamarine eyes stood out against the natural red of my hair.
But it was the haunted look in them that captured my attention.
This female was plagued with memories, guilt, and insecurities.
They say time heals all wounds, but does it truly?
“Knock, knock,” a somewhat familiar voice called from the bedroom.
I wrapped a towel around my body and walked out to see Mihra leaning against the far wall. Crossing my arms over my chest, I stared at her, waiting.
She spoke first. “Brought you a couple dresses. You seem more of the leather pants type to me, but this event is more formal.”
I eyed the dresses laid out on the bed. One was a deep red with black beading.
The next was midnight black with silver stones sparkling on it like stars.
And the final dress was a deep shade of indigo.
It was made of silk and lace, with multiple cutouts to show off my curves.
Walking slowly to the bed, I picked up the indigo dress.
“That one was my bet.” She smirked.
It was beautiful, and I would look hot as hell in it. “Well, at least you have good taste.”
She laughed. “You know I do. Considering who I was crushing on.”
The reminder of her desire for Phen had my eyes narrowing. “He. Is. Mine. And I’m not afraid to cut a bitch.”
Mihra shoved off the wall, and I held my ground, trying to look tough in my fucking towel and wet hair. She was taller than me by a couple inches, but I was trained and would unleash the beast within if she pushed me.
And then she dropped to her knees before me, bowing. “He is yours. And so am I. If you’ll have me.”
Well this was a turn I did not see coming. “Have you in what way, exactly?”
Her gaze snapped up to mine then lowered, taking in my curves. “In whatever way you want, my queen.”
Fuck. Heat pooled in my belly, and I resisted the urge to squirm. Of course I was loyal to my mates, but fuck if it wasn’t hot as hell having this sexy daemon female offering herself to me.
Reaching down, I placed my hand under her chin and pulled her to her feet with my gentle touch. My claws extended slightly, and I traced them down her pretty throat. She swallowed, her eyes glowing with power and lust.
“I’ll keep that in mind,” I purred. “For now, I need your help with something.”
She smirked. “Anything.”
“Is there hair dye on this planet?” I asked, tugging my wet locks. “I miss my blue hair and the red just doesn’t feel right.”
Mihra laughed. “No hair dye, but your considerable power can easily manage a glamour. You can change it to any color you like.”
I grinned. Finally, some good news. “Excellent. Then you can teach me how to do it, and let’s get ready for the main event.”
She tipped her head down. “As you wish, my queen.”
Her words sent a shiver down my spine. I could get used to being called a queen. And fuck, I needed my princes, because Mina was on the prowl.
Phenex arrived exactly two hours later, just as he said he would. And his reaction when Mihra opened the door to let him in was everything I needed.
His horns spiraled out of his hair, and his fangs snapped out. His silver-gray eyes glimmered with power. He growled low and stalked toward me like the monster he was. My thighs clamped together, and his gaze caught the movement. He grinned, his fangs looking hot as hell on his stupid sexy face.
“Mini monstra, you’re breathtaking. I could eat you up,” he purred, his claws teasing along my exposed cleavage.
I swatted his hand away, and he snarled possessively. “Do not rip my pretty dress. Behave and I’ll allow you to see me out of it later.”
He chuckled, his smirk deadly. “I will hold you to that.” Phen tugged a loose curl of my hair with a smirk. “I see you’ve returned to your icy tresses. My mate of fire and ice.”
His comment melted my insides. While part of me loved my natural red, the icy blue suited my general mood. “Fire and ice. I like that.”
We stared at each other with emotions swirling between us, not even realizing Mihra was still in the room. The broken bonds connecting my soul to his flickered, and for a single moment, I could feel his desire. His eyes widened, and I knew he felt it, too.
“I learned something today.” He spoke softly, wrapping one hand around my waist lightly so as not to wrinkle my dress. “When we are all together again, I’ll share.”
My eyes dropped to the dagger with Dev’s soul inside strapped to his hip.
Phen was dressed impeccably in a black suit with a dark-gray shirt to match his eyes.
His black hair was loose and wavy brushing against his broad shoulders.
I wanted to rip his clothes away and lick every beautiful, colorful tattoo on his body.
It was the note of something in his voice that held me back, kept me grounded.
And it was hope.