Queen of Ashes and Scars: A Reverse Harem Fantasy Romance (Throne of Shadows Book 2) by Anya J Cosgrove

Author:Anya J Cosgrove [Cosgrove, Anya J]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-11-15T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 16

Hanging By A Moment

ARIELLE

Leo and I hold hands as we climb back up from the village to the top of the cliff where Jason’s estate is located. We slept the afternoon away, nestled in each other’s arms, and I feel like I can finally breathe again. My big hat and shawl protect my demon skin from the sun, its rays not as painful as they were just a week ago. My newborn skin, powers, and hormones are finally settling in.

Sebastian is tucked in the shadows of the entrance hall, chatting with a circle of servants. I’m surprised to find him awake, but the chatter dies down as soon as we draw near.

Leo releases my hand as my soon-to-be husband comes into view, and I reluctantly let him go, sure that Sebastian wouldn’t have minded in the least, considering how eager he was to share his first-blood Fred with me.

The handsome vampire dismisses them with a quick whisper, and they filter out of the room by both exits, some of them heading outside while others take the servant stairwell down to the kitchens. With a satisfied look, Sebastian walks over to me and gathers both of my hands in his, the barely-veiled excitement gleaming in his garnet eyes setting loose a flurry of butterflies in my stomach. “There you are.”

“Afraid I’d jilt you at the altar?” I crack, hoping to tame the budding elation in my chest to submission.

“You’ve already run away from one wedding this week. Just don’t make it a habit.” He raises my hands to his lips with an effortless, devilish charm that could melt the best armor-plated heart—even the heart of someone who’s been burned by that very charm before. “I arranged for the ceremony to start exactly after the sun falls under the horizon.”

“Arranged what, exactly?” I’d expected him to go along with whatever the Elder had in mind.

“It’s a surprise.”

A frown wrinkles my forehead despite my best effort. “I’m not that fond of surprises. Especially when you’re involved.”

“I promise you one thing, Lil’ Bit. A life with me will never be boring.” He sobers up a little, a shadow obscuring his face. “Jason and Emilia were a bit uneasy when I announced our plans, but they can’t stop us now. There’s no time for anyone from the palace to fly over here, and I think they genuinely would feel better to have you on the throne than a regent.”

I squeeze his hand, delaying his departure. “And you’re okay with not having a…traditional marriage?” I want to make sure he understands what I’m asking. “Pereira wanted a silent, faithful virgin. I’m not that.” Without meaning to, I sneak a glance at Leo, my first-blood pretending to look at the paintings on the wall.

“That’s good because I’m not a silent, faithful virgin either.” Sebastian smiles a smile that reeks of sex and depravity, the kind of expression that tells me I’ve still got a lot to learn about the vampire version of him. My stomach flips-flops, but the fleeting expression melts into a genuine, almost boyish grin.

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