Chapter 5
Vivian’s Point of View
Rule five: It’s okay to appreciate your bully’s bully (even if she’s an elitist bitch).
I’m not sure why I thought a private dinner with Need would involve a small, candlelit dungeon where she could privately blackmail me. At the very least, I expected a dim corridor and distant screams to round out the ambiance.
I never expected to be led into a massive hall, housing a table that could easily seat a hundred people. The space is open, with an arched cathedral ceiling trimmed in gold. The room radiates opulence.
Most importantly, the table is set with a vast assortment of food, including a chocolate fountain. There are also trays of pastries, cookies, fruit, and every delicious treat I could dream of craving. My mouth waters, which feels rude considering my life is on fire.
Apparently, we’re early, since Leon and I are the only ones here.
He takes a seat next to the head of the table and nods at the chair beside him.
I try to be discreet as I pull my chair over, leaving as much space between us as possible.
But of course, he manspreads, and suddenly I’m grateful for the monumental number of layers on my dress.
Otherwise, his thigh would be pressed against mine.
I avoid looking at him, already getting the creepy crawly sensation from being alone together.
The feeling doesn’t last long, however, when a small army of servants dashes into the room. One rushes to fill our cups, while others carry over more dishes. The majority look panicked as they stand against the wall, just in case they’re needed.
They’re all human, just like Kenzie mentioned.
Leon’s gaze burns into me, and I decide that focusing on dessert is better for my mental health. Chocolate might not solve all my problems, but I feel like I owe it to myself to at least try.
“I thought we could have some alone time before our private dinner with Need,” he begins, but pauses when he notices where my attention is centered. “Of course,” he adds with a slight laugh. “You must be famished. Don’t worry, it’s my duty to care for you, pet.”
Not needing to be told twice, I reach for a pastry but freeze when Leon’s hand lands on my shoulder.
Amused, he softly pushes me back onto my chair, before snapping his fingers in the air, repeatedly, until yet another servant dashes into the room.
She’s carrying a small plate, and he takes it without a word, placing it before me.
I give her a thankful smile, but she rushes away without noticing. Blinking down at the small plate, I take in the hummus, nuts, raw celery, cauliflower, and cherry tomatoes.
The mixed nuts aren’t salted.
Leon takes a donut for himself and laughs at my forlorn expression. “Now, now, no need to pout. The nutritionist said sugar is not on the list of acceptable foods for someone in your position. We need to ensure you get your vitamins.”
Am I sick or something? Why would I need a nutritionist? Did the Creator power not fully take? I open my mouth to ask, but no sound comes out. Right – I don’t have permission to speak. Lovely.
Leon swallows his donut in two bites before launching into what I guess he considers to be ‘quality time.’ Namely, he speaks, and I listen.
“Once we are wed, we’ll be staying here, while we continue to establish ourselves as figureheads of the new era.
We are the face of this movement. So, moving back home won’t be possible for quite some time.
” His pompous undertone is grating. “Of course, your public appearances will need to be kept short. You’ll need your rest.”
That last comment has my attention snapping back to his face, hoping his expression will give me a clue as to why he keeps hinting that I’m unwell.
Does he think feminine rage is an illness?
His eyes are hooded as he stares at me and slowly licks sugar off his bottom lip. The look is meant to be carnal, and there is no doubt that he’s picturing exactly what he plans on doing to me during my ‘rest’ time.
Thankfully, I’m saved from hearing what’s on his mind when a servant opens the main door.
I almost fall out of my chair when I see who glides inside.
She’s a carbon copy of Rosie. My jaw drops, and it takes me a second to remember Rosie mentioning her sister is a Creator, and that their mother, the Fae Queen, is her sister’s Keeper.
She’s wearing a beautiful rose-gold gown that trails at least a foot behind her, and her three-inch nails are perfectly manicured with matching polish.
Her expression is soft and innocent until the door shuts behind her. Then her face morphs into a pinched, unimpressed expression as she eyes Leon. Her disdain only amplifies when she looks at me, and she narrows her eyes before taking a seat across from Leon.
Okay, cool. She must be the evil twin – and she thinks we have cooties. Honestly, I’m not mad about it.
Leon straightens out in his seat, and the look he gives her is no less filled with animosity.
Fight! Fight! Fight!
Sadly, he only grinds his teeth. “Lilanthara, I’m surprised to see you here. This is meant to be a private dinner between me, my betrothed, and Need. Need has important matters to discuss with our newest Creator.”
Lilanthara (evil twin) rolls her eyes. “Need invited the inner circle, since she clearly has no use for private time with you. And do try not to confuse the facts. I am the only Creator. We all know this filth will never see a drop of power.” She stares down at her nails, seemingly disinterested.
“Also, in the future, do refrain from addressing me, Destroyer. Don’t presume that just because Need has use for you, you suddenly get to rise above your station and speak to your betters. ”
Ever feel completely conflicted about whether you want to slap or high-five someone? Lilanthara is clearly an elitist bitch, but also, I love the furious expression she just dragged out of Leon. She cut him down with only a few well-placed words.
Goals.
Leon stares daggers at her, but she dismisses him to fully scrutinize me. From the corner of my eye, I can see his fist is turning white from how hard he’s clenching it.
Such thin skin. Some people have never been bullied before, and it shows.
I give her my sweetest smile, and she jerks back a little, clearly not expecting it. I assume she’s about to completely ruin my self-esteem when she’s cut off by the door slamming open.
A man strides inside before a servant can get the door, and he walks with an air of domineering self-importance.
The moment my eyes lock on him, it takes a concentrated effort to stay in my seat. Because this is a man that I’ve been dying to get my hands on.
Rydon. Need’s captain of the guard. The man who raped my best friend, in a cell deep below this castle, almost every day for over a century.
His cold, calculating gaze finds mine, and I keep my own expression stony, not breaking eye contact. I’m not afraid. I’m livid.
Leon stands, clasping Rydon’s hand as the captain takes the seat beside Lilanthara. They exchange friendly words, while I wonder what the shipping policy is from the Otherworld to the Shadow Realm. Would a dismembered penis be too rotten by the time it arrived? Asking for a friend.
Need enters the room a moment later, her gaze sweeping across the space. Her lips purse, like she’s found something lacking, before she settles at the head of the table. Leon and Rydon immediately quiet, both standing until she is seated.
“Vivian, how lovely to see you again,” she says with a smile at me before looking at the others. “Well, I’m pleased most of you could make it on time.”
She does not, in fact, sound pleased.
“Mother sends her apologies. Her presence is required in the Fae Realm to organize security for our newest guest.” Lilanthara’s lyrical voice is entirely at odds with the tone she used earlier. “She will return in time for court tomorrow.”
She and Need exchange a knowing look, and even Rydon nods like he knows what they’re discussing.
Of course, I have no idea what they’re talking about, but I’m used to that by now. Leon, on the other hand, is looking between them like he is two seconds from throwing a tantrum.
Someone dislikes being left out of the cool kids’ club.
I really shouldn’t condone bullying, but I’m tickled by how fragile Leon’s ego is. Besides, it’s important to embrace your faults. I’m pretty sure one of my daily affirmation calendars said something like that once.
The evil villain bonding is momentarily interrupted when the door inches open just enough for a young woman to edge inside.
She’s silent as she slides over to stand beside the door, rather than joining us at the table.
Her eyes never leave the floor, but I recognize her violet-tipped hair.
She’s the same woman I saw in the hall earlier – the one who didn’t look impressed with Leon’s speech.
“It’s about time you decided to join us,” Need snaps, not hiding her irritation.
“I’m sorry, it took longer than anticipated to lock–” she starts.
“I don’t care what it is you were doing. Now stop skulking in the corner like some commoner and sit down,” Need interrupts.
The girl flinches and immediately moves to a chair further down the table. My heart goes out to her. Is she being held here against her will, too? Maybe she can be a potential ally. If this is the inner circle, then an ally here would be amazing.
No one else seems put off by Need’s behavior. Rydon is grinning like the mistreatment of others is a turn-on for him (creepy and far too close to the realm of possibility), and Lilanthara looks smug.
Need stays quiet until the servants finish piling food onto her plate. Then, she holds up a hand, and everyone freezes. “That will be all. Leave,” she orders.
The servants scramble out of the room, and as soon as the last one is gone, Need waves a hand, causing the air to pulse around us. Instantly, the sound of retreating footsteps is silenced.