“I hear you need my son’s help to control your fire Element,” Lionel added a little scathingly, looking between my sister and I as he tried to figure out which one of us had been getting the tuition from Darius.
“Oh yes, Darius has been a great help,” I agreed, not bothering to hide the sarcasm.
“Well so long as you remember he’s only screwing you to pass the time and don’t get any ideas about marriage, I’m sure it won’t be a problem.”
“I’m sorry, what?” I was damn glad I’d emptied my drink in one hit because I would have spat it out all over his fancy suit if I hadn’t.
“I just wanted to make sure you understand that Darius is betrothed. It would be a shame if you got any fanciful notions about him.” Lionel watched me as he took a long drink from his glass and I fumbled for something to say that wasn’t a flat out insult. Luckily Darcy had my back.
“I’m not sure where you got that idea, but Tory hasn’t got the faintest bit of interest in Darius. He can head off into the sunset with his lovely bride and I can assure you she won’t give it the slightest bit of thought,” she said, her voice saccharine sweet.
Darius apparently had nothing to add to this conversation but his jaw was clenching hard enough to crack a tooth.
“I apologise if I misread the signs.” Lionel shrugged, spreading his hands.
“It’s fine,” I ground out though it really wasn’t and I was fairly sure he’d said it just to rattle me. Or maybe he really did suspect that I was sleeping with his son and was trying to call us out on it. Either way, I didn’t bother to hide my grimace at the idea and Darius looked pretty pissed about it too.
“You’ll have the pleasure of meeting his fiancé at the party,” Lionel added. “Mildred flew down especially so that they could spend some quality time together. She may even transfer to Zodiac next term if things go to plan.”
Caleb snorted a laugh and his mother swiped a hand at him, smacking his arm lightly to scold him, though she seemed pretty amused herself. Seth looked like he was practically biting his tongue off to stop himself from laughing too. I exchanged a look with Darcy, remembering the conversation I’d overheard in The Wailing Wood when the Heirs were teasing Darius about having to marry his ugly cousin. I looked forward to finding out just how ugly she was once we made it out of this snake pit.
Darius on the other hand didn’t seem amused and he looked like he might just be about to turn into a giant, fire-breathing reptile. Max reached over to him, brushing a hand along his arm and he relaxed slightly. I guessed the Siren had just siphoned some of his anger from him and I was a little surprised at the gesture.
“So, tell me girls,” Antonia Capella asked. “Have you given much thought to your claim?”
Well at least someone in this room is getting straight to the point.
“We really haven’t given it much consideration,” Darcy said. “It doesn’t even seem real. We have no plans to storm in here and set ourselves up on the throne though.”
The Councillors all laughed darkly in response to that.
“I imagine you’d have a little trouble doing that even if you wanted to,” Tiberius commented and it almost sounded kind but there was a threat there. These men and women guarded the empty throne and they had no intention of letting two girls who had grown up in the mortal world sit on it.
“Well we don’t want to,” I snapped, my irritation brimming over a little. “We just want to see out our time at the Academy, learn how to use our magic and claim our inheritance - of the financial variety. You can keep your empty throne.”
“Just like that?” Melinda asked, arching a brown.
“Just like that,” I agreed and Darcy nodded firmly.
“Perfect. Then this meeting has come to a natural conclusion. We should go and join the party.” Lionel got to his feet and swept from the room before I even really processed what he was doing.
The other Councillors left too and the Heirs trailed after them.
We rose to follow them and Caleb moved close to me for a moment, his fingertips brushing along my arm.
“Well, that was fun, wasn’t it?” he teased. “Shall we go and find something to drink?”
“That sounds like a good idea to me.”
We descended into the entrance hall, following Lionel and the other Celestial Councillors through long and winding corridors before emerging in a huge ballroom which was thronging with people. An incredible tapestry encompassing one entire wall depicted four giant dragons in red, gold, green and darkest blue, all sitting atop mountains of treasure. Fire swirled around them and emblazoned at the centre of it was a huge coat of arms with House Acrux stamped on the bottom in bold lettering.
The room was as opulent as the rest of the house with dark wood flooring and three impressive crystal chandeliers spanning the ceiling. At the far end of the hall was a string quartet, strumming instruments made entirely of gold. They played their tune to a dark and ominous rhythm which matched the uneven beat of my heart.
The finery of the party attendees was way over the top; the jewels and trinkets they wore were near blinding. Eyes turned our way as the butler announced Lionel and the other Councillors’ arrival, then the Heirs and finally us.
Everyone in the room clapped, straining their necks to make sure they got a good look at the two lost Vega Twins. Though their applause was vigorous, their expressions were calculating, assessing. Whispers were exchanged and sweat began to bead on my brow. I felt like a deer displayed before hunters even though not one of them had spoken a word to us yet. But those eyes said it all. We were a threat.
Someone clapped louder than everyone else in the room, moving through the crowd and parting it with his wide shoulders. My mouth parted as the man muscled his way to the front and recognition poured through me. From his handle-bar moustache, bald head and massive size, it was clear he was the man pictured in the photograph Astrum had gifted us. I glanced at Tory and she gave me a hopeful look.
“Bravo!” he shouted with gusto. “Good show! Great form!”
It was far too generous in response to us simply standing there like a couple of manikins, but he continued to clap while the rest of the crowd stopped applauding and fell into animated conversation with one another.
The Councillors dispersed along with the Heirs, falling into what seemed to be a well-accustomed routine of greeting everyone, shaking their hands and spending a few moments chatting.
Several more people gathered around the enthusiastic clapper, smiling keenly at us and I got the same awkward feeling I did when the A.S.S looked our way.
The man strode forward to greet us and I couldn't believe he'd landed right in our laps.
“Forgive my language, your majesties, but ripen my grapes and call me Talulah, it is an absolute honour to meet you both.” He reached out a large palm and a laugh escaped me as I realised who this man simply must have been related to.
“Do you know Geraldine Grus by any chance?” I asked and he nodded vigorously.
“My daughter has told me simply everything about you – everything. But golly brambles! Where are my manners? You must think I'm an absolute rotter mouth and that I’m terribly impolite for not even giving you my name yet.” He bowed low, his hands twirling through the air either side of him and his legs crossed at the ankles. It was kind of impressive how low he got in such an awkward bow. People started laughing and muttering and my heart twitched in irritation. To counter the nasty jibes I heard spoken behind hands and into ears, I spoke my next words overly loudly. “Geraldine is one of the few people in the Academy whose shown us kindness, Mr Grus. We're very grateful to know her.”
“Oh my salty sultanas, what a mighty compliment.” He flushed red, wafting his hand under his huge square chin. “Please, please forgive me, your majesties. My mouth has run away with me again. I'm quite ashamed of myself for speaking so crassly in front of you both. My name is Hamish Grus but do feel free to call me whatever name you desire in response to my lewd beha
viour.” His friends laughed heartily behind him but not unkindly. They stepped closer, each introducing themselves and we were swept up in a sea of outrageous compliments which were almost as uncomfortable as the glares we were getting from the rest of the crowd.
“Crinkling cucumbers, do forgive me. How rude I am to keep you talking. Please continue with your circle of the room, we have harassed you far too long.” Hamish bowed low again, ushering away the other royalists and leaving us practically gasping for air.
“Well at least there's a few people on our side here,” Tory said and I nodded, snatching a couple of glasses of champagne as a waiter went by with them, barely stopping for us.
“Hopefully we'll get a chance to ask him about you-know-what later on,” I whispered as I passed Tory one of the glasses.
Tory nodded, sipping her drink. “That makes one good thing about this party.”
I spotted Orion slipping through the crowd at a fast pace and Lionel's wife, Catalina, searching around as if looking for him. He swept past us, throwing a curt nod our way before heading on and my eyes dropped instinctively to his butt. Maybe there's two things good about this party.
“Lionel seems like a charmer,” Tory commented.
I nodded, seeking Lionel out across the room, finding him staring right back at me. My heart leapt at his molten stare and I took a quick sip of my drink, forcing myself to hold eye contact with him. It was pretty difficult and my eyes felt like they were about to melt under the intensity of his gaze.
Someone walked in front of him and the second they passed by, he was gone. Like a god-damn ghost.
“Yup,” I agreed. “I'm sure he gives great hugs too.”
Tory released a wicked laugh, gazing wistfully over at the waiter who seemed to be actively avoiding us.
“Girls.” A hot hand slid onto my back accompanied by a wave of excitement. Max wrapped his arms around us both, drawing us closer and though I was aware that his power had a hold of us, the anticipation he was pumping into my blood was too good to ignore. “Let's have some fun.”
He steered us across the ballroom and through a door that led into a low-lit room which I could only describe as a smoking room. Do people really still have those? Apparently they did because a bunch of cigar stubs sat in a golden ashtray on the nearest table and the thick scent of tobacco hung in the air. Blood red armchairs sat around the space and to the right of them stood Darius beside a large oak writing desk. A row of shots were laid out across it in front of a bottle of vodka and my heart pumped harder as Max released me, his gifts fizzling out of my system.
Darius picked up a shot and knocked it back, releasing a satisfied ah after he swallowed it. He grabbed two more, holding them out for Tory and I but neither of us moved.
“I think I'll get my drinks from a less shady room thanks,” I said, shaking my head.
“Yeah, I'm gonna decline the date rape.” Tory smiled hollowly and Darius scoffed.
“As if I'd need to drug you to get you in my bed,” Darius smirked.
“Keep dreaming, Dragon boy.” She planted a hand on her hip and I grinned.
We turned to leave and found Seth and Caleb stepping into the room. My heart juddered as they prowled forward, blocking our way out.
“Evening,” Caleb said, skirting around us, his eyes lingering on Tory.
Seth scratched behind his ear and I bit my lip to stop myself from laughing.
“Gimme one of those.” He moved around us, scratching more vigorously as he grabbed a shot from the desk. He swallowed one then another before pawing at the back of his shirt and scratching his head again.
“What's up with you, man?” Max frowned as Seth started raking under his arm.
“Nothing,” he spat, then let out a whine as he scratched himself too hard. I almost lost it when Tory hiccoughed a laugh.
“Almost seems like you've got fleas,” Darius said with a teasing smirk and Seth growled deeply.
“I do not have fleas,” he snarled and I couldn't help the laugh that finally tore free from my throat. He turned, eyes sharpening to slits, but he said nothing.
“Mildred's out there,” Caleb spoke to Darius. “Looks like she came dressed as Cinderella's pumpkin carriage.”
Darius's shoulders stiffened and he swiped up another drink. “Fuck my life.”
“Is that your precious fiancée?” Tory asked as we drifted closer to the door in preparation of leaving.
Darius's lips pursed but he didn't answer.
“He's a bit touchy about it,” Caleb mock-whispered to us.
“I am not touchy,” Darius barked and Caleb backed up a step, but he was still grinning.
“That was convincing,” I murmured and Tory giggled.
All four pairs of the beast's eyes slammed into us and I took that as our cue to leave. I caught the door handle but it swung wide again before we made our escape.
“I thought I saw you scurrying in here hubby-kins!” A girl in a vivid orange dress stepped into the room and I had to look up at her towering height and shoulders which nearly matched the breadth of the Heirs'. Her teeth protruded a little from her lower jaw and her eyes seemed to wander, never landing on one spot. Her hair was a massive brown frizz with a pink bow clipped into the top of it, perfectly matching the violently bright shade of her eyeshadow.
She marched between Tory and I like we were made of paper, forcing us aside with her elbows as she charted a direct path for Darius.
“Mildred,” he said tersely, his eyes darkening as his bride-to-be reached out to him.
Caleb, Seth and Max sniggered as Mildred leaned in for a kiss and Darius only managed to stop her at the last second by planting his palm on her forehead with a loud clap.
“Not before the wedding,” he said firmly and I looked at Tory who was falling into a fit of silent laughter, clutching her side. I tried to smother the giggle that fought its way out of my chest but it floated free and Mildred rounded on us like a hungry animal.
“These must be the Vega Twins,” she said coldly. “Well don't waste your time sniffing around my snookums. Daddy says he's saving himself for our wedding night.”
Max roared with laughter and Mildred turned on him like a loaded weapon, jabbing him right in the chest. Max's smile fell away as she glared at him like he was her next meal. “What are you laughing at you overgrown starfish?” she demanded, her eyes flashing red and her pupils turning to slits. “I've eaten bigger bites than you before, so don't tempt me because I adore seafood.”
Max reached out, laying a hand on her bare arm, shifting it slightly as his fingers brushed a hairy mole. “Calm down Milly, we're just having a bit of fun. We want to get to know Darius's betrothed. Why don't you have a shot?” He nodded to Caleb who promptly picked one up and held it one out for Mildred to take.
“Daddy says drinking will grow hairs on my chest,” she said, refusing it.
“Too late for that,” Seth said under his breath and the others started laughing.
A knot of sympathy tugged at my gut, but Mildred didn't seem to care about their mocking. She stepped toward Seth with a wicked grin and his smile fell away. “Oh and what's wrong with that exactly, Seth Capella? You like your girls hairy, don't you?”
Seth gawped at her in answer. “What the hell does that mean?”
“You like mutt muff,” she answered, jutting out her chin and I noticed a few wiry hairs protruding from it.
Seth growled, scratching his stomach as he stepped forward. “I don't screw girls in their Order form, idiot.”
“Maybe not, but you do, don't you Caleb Altair?” She rounded on him and now I was really starting to warm to Mildred as she cut them all down to size. I settled in for the show, folding my arms and smiling as I waited for her to go on. “My sister's boyfriend’s cousin said you like Pegasus butts. He even sent a video to Aurora Academy of you humping a Pegasex blow up doll and it went viral within a day.”
Caleb's mouth fell open and his face paled in horror. “I didn't hump it!�
�
“I didn't watch the video, but everyone told me what was in it. Why would I want to see you screwing a plastic horse?” She shrugged then turned to Tory and I with absolutely no kindness in her eyes.
Oh crap.
“Do you always just stand there gawping like tweedle dumb and tweedle dumber? I thought you were supposed to pose a challenge to the throne of Solaria?”
“Actually we just want our inher-” Tory started but Mildred spoke loudly over her in her baritone voice.
“You do realise the only reason you're at this party is because everyone wants to have a good laugh about how us Dragons are going to use you bony bodies as toothpicks after Darius and I ascend to our rightful place on the throne?” She moved closer, her head cocked and her mouth set into a sneer. “Why would anyone bow to a couple of Orderless, busty airheads?”
My teeth locked together as anger bloomed in my chest.
“I'm kinda fond of the busty part,” Caleb muttered and Seth fist bumped him.
“We're not airheads-” I started, figuring I couldn't really deny the other two things - dammit. “And the only reason we're at this party is because Darius is helping out Tory in return. It's tit for tat.”
“Darius would never give his tat for any of your tits!” she shrieked, smoke spewing from her nostrils.
Tory burst out laughing, but I sensed the danger in Mildred's tone and hurriedly used what Professor Perseus had taught us, forcing a shield of air out around us. Fire streamed from Mildred's open mouth and deflected over the shield in a powerful display of red and gold sparks. My heart hammered wildly as Mildred grunted her fury then stormed past us and exited the room. She slammed the door with a wall-shaking bang and my shoulders dropped with relief.
“Good thinking,” Tory said on a breath.
Darius sunk down into a chair and dropped his head into his hands. His friends grouped around him, their mocking expressions falling away. Seth nuzzled against Darius's cheek and Max reached out, pressing his fingers to the back of his hand while Caleb started pacing back and forth in front of him.
Zodiac Academy 2: Ruthless Fae: An Academy Bully Romance (Supernatural Bullies and Beasts) Page 32