21. Octavia
21
Octavia
I chase them throughout the castle, both staying in my sight the entire time but just out of reach. Bastian keeps trying to push Dorian to the ground or trip him up, but each time, Dorian snarls, straightening his suit before running again.
“I’m winning this date, fucker. I have it all planned and everything,” Bastian whines, shouldering Dorian as they rush down the stairs.
“So do I, and we both know mine will be better than yours.”
Dorian grabs the bannister, and instead of walking down the stairs, he jumps down to the platform landing. Bastian pauses, gasping in outrage.
“It will not! My date includes karaoke to Taylor Swift, and I’m finally ready to paint her nails. How the hell are you supposed to top that? Right, pretty girl?” He swings his head around, grinning at me as I reach the top of the stairs.
He’s arranged a date with karaoke? They did that for me for my fifteenth birthday, set up the ballroom with pink streamers and a disco ball, glitter everywhere, with so many cupcakes that I got sick after trying to eat my way through them. Bastian and I were the only ones who did the karaoke, as Dorian point blank refused, but he sat and clapped, cheering me on while heckling Bastian.
I loved that birthday. I love all the birthdays they throw me. They always make them special and do something they know I would love, even if they hate it.
“Ha! Told you. She’s speechless at my date plan, so you might as well give up now.”
“In your nightmares. She just doesn’t know what I’ve got planned yet.”
“And what do you have planned, Rian?” I ask, twirling the blade in my hand.
“Catch Bastian first and find out, angel.” Dorian smirks, licking his lips, eyeing me up in a way that has my legs trembling.
He runs again, and so do I. Bastian curses, trying to catch up and get further ahead. He jumps down the stairs, landing in the greeting hall a few seconds after Dorian. I pant, out of breath, on the second landing of the stairs. There’s no way I can catch them; they’re faster than me and know these halls better.
If I can’t catch them, then I need to manipulate them.
I quickly untie the blood-stained ribbons on my legs, kicking off my shoes and climbing onto the bannister. It’s luckily wide enough that I can balance easily, but the drop makes my stomach swirl.
“What are you doing, pretty girl?”
Bastian is the first to notice, looking over his shoulder as he stops running. Dorian twists, halting to a stop, his eyes widening as he sees me.
“Octavia,” he barks, and I can’t help giggling at the sternness of his tone.
I spin slowly to the side on the balls of my feet and walk across the bannister, holding out my arms for balance.
“I’m tired of chasing you, so I decided to change the game.” I tip to the side, faking losing balance, and they both shout, rushing closer.
“Get down this very fucking second, Octavia, before you hurt yourself,” Dorian orders, his eyes tracking my every movement.
I fake another slip, yelping, making sure I sound scared. They rush even closer, standing just below me in the perfect position.
“Well, if you insist, big brother.” I smirk, letting my grin grow bigger, and jump right off the bannister.
“Motherfucking Christ, Octavia,” Dorian shouts.
My stomach flips as I fall through the air, and for a single second, I wonder if I fucked up as I keep falling, but a few moments later, I feel their arms catch me. All three of us crash to the ground, their bodies protecting my fall.
They both groan as I lay over them, slightly winded. “Caught you both,” I say, chucking the knife to the floor.
Bastian laughs, pulling me completely onto him, kissing me on the lips. “Fuck, I love you, my crazy girl.”
“I love you too. Thanks for catching me.”
“Always, baby. Always.” He runs his nose across mine, and I close my eyes with a smile.
“Don’t worry about me. I’m absolutely fine,” Dorian grunts. I giggle, trying to pull myself out of Bastian’s hold, but he locks his arms around my waist tighter.
“Share,” he mutters, and Dorian scowls, snapping, “You’re the one who’s not sharing!”
He lunges for us, knocking Bastian on his back before laying on top of us, kissing me deeply. “Where’s my thanks, angel?”
“I was getting there. You just didn’t give me a chance.”
He pulls back, raising his eyebrow, waiting expectantly. I huff out a laugh, shaking my head. “Thank you for saving me, Rian.”
He cups my cheeks, resting his head on mine, staring deep into my eyes. “There will never be a time I don’t save you.”
The look he’s giving me, the reverence in his tone, makes my heart thump wildly in my chest.
“I love you, Dorian. There will never be a time I don’t love you.”
“Octavia…” he whispers, his face scrunching up in frustration. I smooth out the creases with my thumb, cupping his cheeks.
“I know, Dorian. I don’t need words, just you.” Bastian clears his throat loudly, squeezing my waist harder as I lay on top of him. I roll my eyes, shaking my head. “Obviously I meant you too, Bas. I only need both of you.”
“Just wanted to make sure the best one wasn’t forgotten.”
Dorian scoffs, pushing off me slightly. “Please. I’m the best, and we all know it.”
“I think the fuck not.”
Oh, I see where this is going, and I do not want to be in the middle while they tumble on the ground. “Guys,” I try, but they ignore me.
Dorian lays back down on top of me and makes me lose my breath. They mutter at each other about who’s the best, punching the other in the sides as I’m jolted to the side.
“Tell him I’m the best, pretty girl.”
“No, tell him I’m the best. Who makes you come better, angel?”
“Uhhh. I am so not getting involved,” I mutter, trying to get out from between them, but their focus shifts from each other to me.
“Come on, pretty girl. Be on my team.” Bastian holds my sides, squeezing the spot I hate.
“Don’t you dare,” I snap, but I shouldn’t have taken the bait.
“No, angel, be on my side,” Dorian says tauntingly, grabbing my knees, about to squeeze.
“Don’t fucking do it.” I scowl, waiting, and they both act at the same time, tickling my worst spots.
Motherfuckers!
I laugh and scream, trying to kick and hit them as they continue their assault. I should not have dropped the knife; I could use it to stab them in the fucking dicks about now. I hate being tickled, and these bastards love to do it.
“Children, that behaviour will cease this moment,” a cold, hard voice booms in the room, and all three of us stop moving immediately, my blood turning cold.
I know Dorian said he would be arriving, but I didn’t think it would be today, and he’s found all three of us on top of each other. I scramble to my feet, out of breath and horrified. Dorian and Bastian slowly rise, coming to either side of me. I want to take their hands for comfort, but I don’t. I clasp them behind my back, ringing them nervously.
“Hello, Grandfather,” I whisper, dropping into the customary curtsy that is expected when greeting him, staying in the position until he says, “Granddaughter.”
I raise my head, meeting his ice grey eyes head on and holding in my shiver. He hasn’t changed since the last time I saw him: grey, slicked back hair with a perfectly trimmed salt and pepper beard, wearing his signature bespoke grey suit. He looks nothing like the ones you see on tv shows. Nope, my grandfather looks like the head crime lord he is, and as he eyes the three of us, I’ve not forgotten the fear he instils.
“Grandfather,” Dorian and Bastian say, giving curt nods, not bowing like expected or waiting for him to greet them.
“You’re early,” Dorian states with an accusatory tone that has me sucking in a deep breath.
Grandfather purses his lips, eyeing Dorian with an expression I can’t decipher. He takes a few steps towards us, and I hold my breath, straightening my spine.
“Yes, well, we have other things to discuss, apart from your missing father.” He speaks to Dorian but doesn’t take his eyes off me, taking in my blood-stained pink dress.
“And what might that be?” Dorian asks, taking a step in front of me, blocking his view as I feel Bastian slide around to stand at my back.
Grandfather hums, taking a small step back, studying the three of us. I peek out from behind Dorian, catching our grandfather frowning before Bastian pulls me back.
“I’ve arranged a marriage for your sister. Her intended will be arriving soon, and I wanted to get a start on the plans before that happened, seeing as it will be outside the bloodline.”
My heart sinks, a cold sweat breaking out all over my body as bile rises in my throat.
No.
Bastian snarls as Dorian grows still, his head snapping up. Bastian’s arm circles my waist in a vice grip, and I search for his and Dorian’s hands, unable to stop myself. They each grab one, holding me as tight as I hold them.
“I think you need to change your plans and find a new bride, old man,” Bastian snaps.
Grandfather tilts his head, a mocking smirk playing at his lips. “Why would I need to find a new bride when your sister is perfectly able to fulfil that role?”
Dorian takes a step back, standing at my side, and I do my best to keep the fear from my face.
“Because you are talking about our wife,” Dorian says, making him eye the three of us more closely. “We may share with each other, but no one else.”
“Is that so?” he says, rubbing his beard, raising an eyebrow.
“Fucking try taking her and see what happens,” Bastian snarls, flattening his hand on my stomach, resting his chin on my shoulder, biting my neck until a small groan escapes me. “No one else has survived thus far. Do you really think you’ll be the exception?”
He says nothing for a few seconds, simply staring in silence before slowly walking into my space, towering over me. He grasps my chin quickly, pinching it between his fingers in a punishing grip, making me hiss as he tilts my head up. Dorian and Bastian snarl, but I squeeze their hands, digging my nails in to stop them from doing anything that will get us killed.
“Is this how you want to play it, Octavia? Are you happy to hide behind your brothers instead of doing what the bloodline demands of you? What I demand of you?”
I hold his stare, refusing to cower. I just murdered my own father, stabbed him until I could no longer raise the knife. I will not run away scared now.
“You heard my husbands: try taking me,” I whisper. “I dare you.”
The seconds tick on slowly as he decides what to do, and I don’t think I breathe the entire time. He finally lets go of my chin, taking a step back, gazing at the three of us in disgust.
“I will not stand here and have this conversation with you like common people in a greeting hall. Clean yourself up, and we will continue during dinner. Ramsey,” he barks, clicking his fingers, and his personal butler who travels with him pops out from nowhere.
“Yes, my lord.”
“Please ensure dinner is ready in two hours. My grandchildren need to clean up.” He dismisses us with a wave of his hand as he turns his back and leaves.
“Of course, my lord.” Ramsey bows deeply at Grandfather’s retreating back, making his way to the kitchen.
I’m frozen in my spot, unable to move or even blink. I just stood up to Vincent Stone. I’m a dead woman walking.
“Take her to our room and get ready. I need to sort out a few things, but I’ll meet you there before we have to go down,” Dorian whispers to Bastian, and it brings me out of my meltdown.
“Where are you going?” I ask in a panic, tugging at the hand still encased in mine.
He uncurls my fingers, giving me a quick kiss and brushing my hair out of my face. “I’m not going anywhere, angel. Just sorting a few things out for dinner. Go with Bastian and shower. I’ll be there before you know it.”
“Dorian,” I whisper as he pulls away.
“It’s all going to be okay. I promise.” He kisses my head before dashing off, but I don’t see where he’s going as Bastian scoops me up in his arms. I press my face into his chest, soaking up the comfort he gives me.
“I’ve got you, pretty girl. I’ve always got you.”