“Not really. You should come out with me tomorrow.” After this mess with Ari, she wanted to do something that wouldn’t remind her of him. Then she could give Luna the necklace and explain what was happening. Luna would understand her inner turmoil in a way her Stellan friends could not.
“Yeah, I will. Are you coming to the party? We can hang in there. I bet it’s totally amazing inside the garden.”
“It is.”
Viggo came over to them. “Princess, you ready?”
“I’m sorry. I’m not feeling well. I’m going to bed.”
Luna’s face fell, and Zwaantie felt a tinge of guilt. She hadn’t spent much time with Luna at all, and she’d hoped to change that, but after her fight with Ari, she didn’t have it in her. Tonight she needed to sleep. Clear her head and focus on how to fall in love with Leo. The thought filled her with dread.
“Picture before you leave.” Viggo said, pushing the girls together.
Zwaantie agreed, but she was certain her smile was fake. She hoped it wouldn’t come across that way on the disc.
She waved goodbye and made her way to the elevators. The hallways were unusually empty. Zwaantie wondered what time it was. She and Ari had arrived at the garden just after dinner. Surely she hadn’t been in there for four hours. A servant hurried down the hall.
“Princess, you only have a few minutes until the vipers come out. Hurry,” the servant said.
Oh, Stars, time flew. She thanked him and rushed toward her room. She’d never been out this late. She’d always worried about death by the vipers, and so she always made sure to get to her room on time.
She passed Ari’s room on the way. She paused by his door and almost knocked, but the five-minute warning bell sang. This was cutting it way too close. She shouldn’t be thinking about him, but she couldn't help herself.
She had barely gone around the curve when she heard a door open. She peeked back and saw a girl slip out of Ari’s room. She was thin, and her clothes barely covered her breasts. She scurried down the hall. Anger burned in Zwaantie’s chest. Ari couldn’t even handle one night alone. She couldn’t believe she thought she was falling for him. He couldn’t keep his hands or other body parts to himself for even a second. It just reaffirmed in her heart that Leo was the one she should focus on, the one who loved her and would save the kingdom.
Time was slipping away. She turned the handle to her door, but it wouldn’t budge. Locked. She shoved harder. What the dark? These doors only locked from the inside. There was no reason to lock it when you weren’t inside. She tried again. Nothing.
She pounded on the door. Maybe Sage was in there.
“Sage,” Zwaantie yelled. “Let me in.”
Silence. This was stupid. Sage never hung out in Zwaantie’s room.
The clock began to chime the twelve bells of midnight. On the last bell, the vipers would come out, and Zwaantie would die.
She rushed to Sage’s room, but her door wouldn’t open either. Zwaantie pounded and yelled but no one responded. Stars. She paused to think, knowing she only had one option if she wanted to survive.
On chime six she ran down the hall to his room, hating herself for needing him to rescue her. This was the last thing she wanted. She would be sleeping on the couch and not speaking to him more than necessary. Bad things would happen otherwise.
She beat on his door.
“Ari, Ari, let me in!” she yelled and slapped the door again.
The ninth bell chimed. He stuck his head out. His eyes bloodshot and his hair a mess.
“What do you want?” he slurred. Oh great. While she’d dawdled in the garden, he’d been busy getting drunk with the blonde girl who just left. Had Zwaantie really wanted him? Why?
The tenth bell chimed.
“I’m about to get stuck out here. I need to come in. My door is locked.”
The eleventh bell chimed. Zwaantie didn’t wait. She pushed past him. He stumbled and glowered at her. She slammed the door behind her, locking it.
The twelfth bell chimed, and she slid down next to his door, breathing hard. The pounding on the other side began almost immediately. She’d brushed death so many times now. She’d forgotten what it was like to feel safe.
“That was close,” she breathed and rubbed her temples. Now she was safe from one kind of monster. Would she survive the night with another?
Chapter 19
The Lost Cause
Ari staggered to his couch and slouched down on it. On the small table in front of him sat ten small potion bottles and two empty wine bottles. She’d never taken liberties with wine before. Maybe she’d have to in order to get through the night with him. Though, then she might do something stupid. Maybe she’d get lucky, and he’d just go to sleep.
He squinted at the potion bottles and shoved them toward Zwaantie. “Find the one that says Sober.”
She raised her eyebrows at him. “Maybe I should let you stay drunk.” If he passed out, then she’d have nothing to worry about.
“Please,” he murmured and pinched his nose. “My head is pounding.”
Zwaantie sorted through them. She found Lust, Awake, and a few others that made her blush. The seventh bottle was called Sober. She handed him the bottle, and he tipped it into his mouth.
He grimaced.
“Thanks,” he said without looking at her. He staggered to the bathroom and turned on the shower. Zwaantie had no idea what the night would bring, now that he was sober and awake.
She was stuck here, for better or for worse. She had two goals. First, she didn’t want to fight with Ari. Second, she was not going to kiss him. Though if she had to choose one of the two, it would be safer to fight with him.
She searched for an extra blanket. There were plenty of pillows on the couch. Her dress wasn’t terribly comfortable, but she could sleep in it. Not finding one, she sat on the couch and waited for Ari to come out. Mentally she prepared herself. She would only talk to him to get a pillow and blanket so she could sleep. Then she would go to sleep and be out of his room before he woke the next morning.
Twenty minutes later Ari returned wearing a robe and smelling of raspberry soap. His eyes were clear again, and Zwaantie had trouble not getting lost in them. Her plan seemed futile.
He settled on the couch next to her, closer than he should’ve. “Sorry about that. I was trying to, uh, forget about our fight.”
“Did it work?” Zwaantie asked, attempting to be civil, and slid back a few inches. This was better. If she could continue arguing with him, then she wouldn’t do something stupid, like kiss him.
He shook his head.
“What about the girl who left your room before I showed up. Did she help you forget?” Zwaantie didn’t even try to hide the venom in her voice. So much for not fighting. Everything about Ari stirred up emotions in her, both good and bad. It was exhausting.
Ari ran a hand along his face. “If it makes you feel any better, nothing happened. I don’t think I even kissed her.”
“Right, with…” Zwaantie picked up a bottle. “Orgasm, and all these others sitting out here.” She was disgusted with him.
Ari gave her a crooked grin. “They are all full, in case you haven’t noticed. You could take that one if you want. It’ll make you happy.” He raised his eyebrows at her expectantly.
She set it back down, her hands shaking. She wasn’t sure if it was from nerves or anger.
“Not on your life.” She didn’t even know what that meant, but she had taken a chance that it had something to do with sex.
Ari slid closer to her. She should move away, but everything about him drew her in.
“I’ve been thinking,” Ari began.
“Before or after you ‘didn’t’ have sex with that girl.” What was wrong with her? She needed to close her mouth and get away from him, but she couldn’t. She didn’t want to, not really.
Ari scowled. “Nothing happened. I wanted something to, believe me. But all I could think about was how disappointed you’d be
if I slept with her.” His voice dropped, and he searched Zwaantie’s eyes. He gripped her hands, and Zwaantie didn’t bother pulling away. “She wasn’t the one I wanted. Not by a long shot. I want you and only you. She didn’t hold an ounce of attraction for me. Even after I drank two bottles of wine. I searched her face, and all I could see was you.”
Zwaantie couldn’t take her eyes off of his lips. The way they moved. She wanted to press her mouth against his and forget about Leo. This wasn’t fair of Ari to do to her. He was saying all the right things and looking at her in a way that made her lose sense.
“I asked her to leave. I think tonight may be the first night in several years I haven’t had sex. Which is so unbelievable because this is the first time in a long time that I have a girl in my room I desperately want to be with. And I know you won’t.”
She met his eyes. In that moment, all of her fears disappeared. This was the man she should be marrying. This was her only desire.
Zwaantie scrambled across the couch and kissed him. She had to have him, no matter the consequence.
He didn’t react for a moment. But then he kissed her back, embracing her. His body was warm against hers, his hands eager. They fit together so well. Their lips moved easily and with a hunger she didn’t even know was possible. Why did fate have to be so cruel?
Screw fate.
Just for one night. Tomorrow, she’d take responsibility. She didn’t know what the night would bring, but tonight, she’d let herself know what it was like to be truly loved.
After a while her lips were sore, but she was happy. She laid her head on his shoulder. Neither said anything for a long time. She reveled in the comfort.
“Are you tired?” Ari asked, massaging the back of her neck.
“Yes. No.” She laughed. “I don’t know.”
“Let’s find you something more comfortable to sleep in.”
Zwaantie stumbled a little bit as she stood, and fell into his arms. They both laughed, and she tried to ignore the butterflies in her stomach. Questions flew through her head about the repercussions of tonight. What did it mean? Perhaps it would extend to more than one night. If so, would they have to tell Leo? Only if Ari would marry her. If he didn’t, they would have to keep this secret. But the prophecy.
Ari gave her an extra-large t-shirt. He left the closet, and she slid out of her dress and put on the shirt. Ari was already in bed when she came out. Even though they had slept in the same bed several times over the last few weeks, it made her nervous tonight. This was the first time she’d slept with him after a heavy make-out session, and she wasn’t sure where things would go.
“No expectations, just sleep. Come on,” Ari said.
She slipped into bed with him, and he wrapped his arms around her. He smelled musky and sexy. She nuzzled into him. Everything about him was warm and safe. She knew she wouldn’t have trouble falling asleep even though thoughts raced through her mind. He was too comfortable. Too easy. This was where she was meant to be.
Chapter 20
The Ally
“Why is it every time I appear, you are in bed with my fiancée?”
Waking up to Leo’s voice was not the way Zwaantie wanted to be roused. She took a second to regroup and think about where she was.
Ari jumped out of bed and settled on the couch in front of Leo. Zwaantie smoothed her hair and joined him, sitting several inches away from Ari. He made no move to touch her and acted like everything was normal. Was this what the future would bring? Lies and hiding?
At least she and Ari had clothes on. She had no idea how they would’ve explained that away. Though, then everything would be out in the open. She blushed at the thought of Ari naked and grinned at the irony. Never once when she was in Sol would that thought have ever crossed her mind. If she were to take the necklace off now, the Voice would have a lot of words for her. A nasty headache probably as well.
“This is easily explained. Your fiancée returned to her room last night minutes before midnight and found her door locked. She couldn’t get in. She also tried Sage’s room, which was also locked. She had no choice but to come here.”
Zwaantie let out a breath. Part of her had hoped Ari would tell Leo. That he’d consent to marrying her. Leo looked from Zwaantie to Ari. Zwaantie kept her eyes on Leo and gave him a sheepish smile.
“It’s true. I tried to sleep on the couch, but it was impossible. I’m sorry.”
He frowned. “Not sure I like seeing you in Ari’s t-shirts.”
“I couldn’t very well sleep in my dress.”
He seemed satisfied with the explanation. “What were you doing out of your rooms so late?”
“I was in the gardens and lost track of time.” That, at least, was the truth. She wondered how many lies she would have to tell. She was tired of the deception.
“Where’s Sage?” Leo asked. He crossed his arms.
“She’s dealing with Zwaantie’s assassination attempts,” answered Ari. This was news. Zwaantie thought she was doing something for her father.
“Has she found anything yet?”
Ari shook his head. “Not yet, but we haven’t heard from her since last night. I’ll have her call you as soon as she knows something. Honestly, I figured she’d contact you before she returned.”
“She hasn’t called me. As soon as you see her, please tell her I need to talk to her.”
“Done, brother. Now I suppose you want some time to visit with Zwaantie.”
Leo’s eyes flicked to her. Ari played his part well. She wasn’t convinced she’d be able to keep up with the lie if she had to talk to Leo by herself. She didn’t want to hide anymore.
“I wish. But I’m due at breakfast with Jem. I’ll have some time this afternoon. Love you.”
He didn’t wait for Zwaantie’s response and clicked off. He probably didn’t want to hear her lame “You too.” She was glad because she wasn’t sure she could even manage that. If it were Ari, she’d be able to say the words to him.
Ari clicked off the screen and then pushed a small button on the wall.
“Is that how you turn it off?” Zwaantie asked. “I haven’t been able to figure it out.”
“Yep. No one will be able to call. Your device may buzz, but you have to physically answer it.”
She would need to find that button in her own room.
He collapsed next to her, and she snuggled into him. She had a decision to make. She could leave Ari and never look back. Leave last night an amazing memory and forget all about Ari. Go to Leo and force herself to love him. Or she could stay here and be foolish, but happy.
“Where were we last night before we got tired, huh?” he asked and planted a soft kiss on her neck. Foolish looked nice right about now. He trailed his lips up near her ear. She shivered.
“I can’t remember. Maybe you should refresh my memory.” This moment would forever change their trajectory. They were on a slippery slope, and it would end badly, but their feelings were too strong. She couldn’t deny them.
“Oh yeah? You want a repeat?”
“Very much so.” She meant every word.
His hungry lips met hers. There was more passion to this kiss, as if he’d finally let his guard down and allowed himself to have what he wanted. He pushed Zwaantie back on the couch so he was lying on top of her. His hands moved everywhere. It was thrilling and amazing and not at all guilt-ridden, now that she’d allowed herself to love him.
Maybe they could stay locked in his room forever and not worry about anything that happened out in the real world.
The door behind them opened, and Ari made no move to get up, but he lifted his head to see who came through the door.
“Why the hell is my door locked?” Sage’s irritated voice floated from the other side of the couch. Real life was coming way too quickly.
“Don’t know,” Zwaantie replied, ready to get this encounter over with.
Sage squeaked and ran over.
For a second Sage didn’t say anything. Zwa
antie didn’t want to hear the chastisement. Sage didn’t approve, and she knew the repercussions.
Sage sank down onto the ottoman and stared at them. Zwaantie shifted under Ari’s weight, and he sat up, pulling Zwaantie with him and into his lap, his arms wrapped tightly around her.
“Did you sleep here?” Sage asked cautiously.
“Yeah, I couldn’t get into your room. Or my own.” Zwaantie tried to justify her night with Ari, but she knew Sage wasn’t buying it. Even if it was the truth.
Ari turned Zwaantie’s face toward his and kissed her lightly on the lips. “We’re not keeping this a secret from Sage.”
Sage kept looking from Zwaantie to Ari. “Are you going to marry her?”
Zwaantie had avoided that question this morning, afraid of the response.
Ari shook his head. Zwaantie’s heart sank. Reality wasn’t fun.
“You do understand if you don’t marry her, she still has to marry Leo.” Sage said the words Zwaantie couldn’t. Not now.
“I know,” Ari said.
She couldn't quite believe he was so acting so casual about this, and now she wondered exactly what his plan was to deal with their relationship.
Zwaantie stood up. “So you want me to marry Leo, but sleep with you.” No way. He was such a cow-hole. He just expected her to give up everything for him, but he wouldn’t for her.
“You were willing to do that for Phoenix.”
This was different. She didn’t know why, but it was. She didn’t have any other options with Phoenix. “Leo is your brother.”
“So? I’ve cleaned up plenty of his messes. He’ll let me have this.”
Zwaantie moved away from him. “Excuse me? I think I’ll be the one who decides that.” He was so arrogant. Her blood boiled just thinking about what he was asking of her.
Ari shrugged. “Okay. Sure. I’m willing to wait, but I love you, Zwaantie.”
She pinched the bridge of her nose. She was so sick of people expecting her to love them simply because they thought she should. She was to marry one man, love him, and then when the mess was cleaned up, love another.
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