Ruin by Alexa B James

Author:Alexa B James [James, Alexa B]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Speak Now
Published: 2019-07-31T05:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

KORI

“Once. You get five minutes alone with her once, and you break the pact,” Ash growled at Ruin.

Death leaned in on my other side. “Ash is just upset because he lost a bet to me. My guess was a day and Ash’s a week.” He offered up a bottle. “Wine?”

I held my glass out, sipping the merlot as I glanced around at our surroundings. The room had a high ceiling with a painting of angels fighting demons on it, and not for the first time, I wondered what the palace had been before the dome. The dining room was long and rectangular, filled to the brim with bodies. Royals sat at the table, but already, many of the courtesans pulled their attention away. I couldn’t help but notice that the lord beside Death looked both pale and wide-eyed all through dinner and had fled the moment the third course was served.

Unfortunately, as soon as his seat was vacated, the most pompous, self-important vampire marquis I’d ever met walked down the long rectangular table and landed in the chair beside Death. His citrine gaze was heated with interest and appreciation when it met mine. “Consort,” he said with a nod. His chestnut hair fell loosely around his shoulders. He wore a fine tailored suit. “I hoped to spend some time with you and your family while I visited here today.”

“Marquis Thorn,” I said through a smile that I hoped looked friendly. Leaning in, I said in a teasing tone, “Obviously, you’ve been away from Portland Court so long that you forgot to greet the king first.” I ended my statement on a soft chuckle and turned back to Death. “Why don’t we start over?”

“Oh, you must forgive me, Your Highness.” Marquis Thorn opened his arms wide and bowed until his head almost hit the table. “As the consort says, I have been away from court for a long time and have grown as worthless as a warrior in my absence.”

Death stiffened, and I reached over to his hand under the table and gently squeezed his fingers.

“Keep bowing like that, Marquis, and you’ll topple right over.” I tilted my head. “Are you drunk?” I laughed. “It’s barely sunset. Remember Christmas? No one wants to see an esteemed member of the peerage running around naked and knocking over priceless works of art.”

“No, my beautiful consort, it’s the sight of you that has me so intoxicated.” The marquis gave me an exaggerated wink. “You’re as beautiful as the consort who preceded you and look so similar by the kings’ side.”

His words hit me like a blow to the stomach, but my smile never faltered.

Never let them see your pain.

Never let them see how much you hate them.

“Mira always had such kind things to say about the time you two spent together,” I said, meaning the exact opposite, and judging from the tight smile he gave me in return, he knew it.

Marquis Thorn lifted his hands again. “My beautiful consort, I do hope—”

“Thorn,” Death interrupted, “You appear to be confused.

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