The Monster Ball Year 2

by Heather Hildenbrand

  My hands tightened into fists at the reminder of my lack of a partner. “On the contrary. I spend many hours a day dreaming of the future. Especially one that involves serving you justice for what you’ve done.”

  Priscilla’s features hardened. “Your threats are tiresome, little girl. I think I’ll wander where I’m more welcome. And, frankly, more entertained.”

  “I’ll be watching you.”

  “I’m flattered.” She stalked off with her gown swishing at her newly donned feet.

  I watched her go, my emotions churning.

  Damn.

  Monroe had been right. Priscilla had come here tonight after all, and that meant trouble couldn’t be far behind.

  Chapter Five

  Breck

  Damn. My honesty had cost me. As Priscilla had walked away, I’d kicked myself. Fae of any kind didn’t appreciate a direct approach. They liked double talk, riddles. Everything I found annoying and suspicious. I nursed my drink, casing the room for another water fae who might be able to give me what I wanted. But Priscilla was apparently the only one lucky enough to score a ticket.

  There were dozens of vamps, werewolves, and witches everywhere I looked.

  Movement above caught my eye. I looked up just in time to see a flash of neon green fabric being tossed over the balcony. It floated down and landed before a petite woman with long black curls streaked with red. She stopped and looked up, searching. I followed her gaze until I spotted a man in a thin red tie, winking back at her. She scowled and stepped over what looked suspiciously like women’s panties before disappearing toward the stairs.

  Amused, the man flicked his attention to another female in the crowd. She was striking with purple hair and a silver nose ring that made her stand out among the other creatures. She stared up at the panty-flinger, slack-jawed and red-faced. The male stared down at her with an interested gleam that made me want to punch him in the throat.

  I was considering doing just that when a voice in my ear distracted me.

  “All right, half-mortal. Come with me.”

  I looked up in surprise as Priscilla ushered me from the bar.

  I slid off the stool and followed her to the second floor, wondering what had made her change her mind. We sat on a glowing chair away, and I braced myself for nosy attention, but no one so much as glanced our way. Everyone was too wrapped up in their own debauchery to notice a water fae witch and a werewolf hunter looking for a quiet corner. At least she hadn’t led me to one of the privacy pods on the second floor.

  “What do you mean by admittance?” she asked when we were seated.

  “You know what I mean.”

  “I’d like to hear it from you.”

  “I want entry into the kingdom under the sea.”

  She didn’t bat an eye, which only confirmed my suspicions. She hadn’t happened on me by accident. Somehow, she’d marked my fae blood and come looking.

  “And what makes you think I can help you with that?”

  “Because no one enters Nerida without a resident escort born of its blood. You’re water fae, which means you can get me inside the gates.”

  Her brows rose. “You’ve done your homework, I see.”

  “I know what I want.”

  “Hmm.” She looked me over appraisingly. Magic hummed along my skin, poking and prodding. I forced myself to remain still underneath the weight of her perusal. Whoever this woman was, she was powerful.

  “And what exactly is it you want once you’re inside Nerida’s borders?” she asked.

  “That’s my business.”

  She frowned.

  “Regardless of the lore you’ve heard, Nerida is no place for half-breeds. I can sense the earth-bound heart inside you, and it’s not nearly strong enough to survive the sea. Enjoy your evening.”

  She rose, and my panic spiked.

  “Wait.”

  She turned, but I could see the dismissal in her eyes.

  “I’ll make a deal.”

  The dismissal turned to intrigue. “What kind of deal?”

  “A favor. A task. Whatever you’d like. If I complete it, you’ll take me back to Nerida with you when the party ends.”

  She cocked her head, considering. “You are descended from mortals?”

  “I’m half-hunter.”

  She didn’t answer. I felt my chance slipping away.

  “I trained at Highborn Academy, an elite school for royals and soldiers who—”

  “I know what Highborn is.” Her gaze slipped down to study my body.

  “I’m strong and capable enough to do whatever you need. I—”

  “It’s not strength I need now, soldier.” Her eyes narrowed, and she stepped closer, eyeing me with a smile that made me wonder what the hell I was getting myself into.

  “Ah, of course,” she said almost to herself. “You’ll do just fine for what I need tonight. All right then, hunter. You can perform a task for me. If you complete it successfully, I’ll grant you safe passage into Nerida before the night ends.”

  I pushed to my feet.

  “What is the task?” I asked, already assessing the various creatures I’d noticed tonight. Most of them would be easy to immobilize—

  “There’s a princess. Up on the roof,” she said, drawing my thoughts from strategy and bloodshed.

  “A princess?” I repeated, confused.

  “Yes.”

  “What do you want with a princess?” I asked.

  Her lips curved into a smile that had me rethinking my whole plan. “I want you to seduce her.”

  Chapter Six

  Aqua

  From the corner barstool, I sipped on the drink Ransom, the bartender, had suggested and watched the nearby dragon shifter breathe fire in the shape of a unicorn. The crowd oohed and ahhed, but Nova, the feisty unicorn bartender, scowled. “Stop flirting with me, Rake. It’s never going to happen.”

  “That hurts, Nova,” the dragon shifter called back, feigning chest pains. “Just put me out of my misery and marry me already.”

  “Never.” She rolled her eyes and went back to work making her signature cocktail, ignoring Rake and the laughter he garnered for his flirtatious trick.

  The rest of the crowd remained so caught up in his fiery creations they didn’t notice when he lifted a gold bracelet right off of a socialite’s wrist. He tucked it away and continued his show.

  I shook my head. Dragons and their hoarding.

  A card floated toward me through the air. I looked up and spotted the warlock magician smiling encouragingly from the edge of the dance floor. An ace of spades hovered in the air in front of me with his phone number written across the top. I imitated Nova’s scowl and swiveled away, offering him and the card my back.

  No more warlocks for me. Ever.

  A few barstools over, the blonde from earlier stood beside a muscled male who looked every inch like a Viking fantasy come to life. He leaned over and ordered several shots. Oblivious to me, she bounced while she waited, her energy clearly one of enjoyment. I couldn’t blame her, standing next to a specimen like him. Ah, to be young and happy.

  I sipped my drink, debating the wisdom of searching the privacy pods for an empty hideaway. So far, this year’s party was extravagant, but not my scene. Maybe I was getting too set in my ways for The Monster Ball. Or too salty.

  I sighed. Destan would have been neither.

  “I’ll have what the princess is having.”

  My temper flared. I twisted to meet the newcomer already sliding onto the stool beside me.

  “Your lame-ass card trick isn’t going to work, and neither is—”

  The familiarity of his voice registered a split second before I caught sight of his face. Sun-streaked blond hair cropped close. Striking blue eyes that either shut you out or pulled you in, depending on his mood. Scruff lined his jaw, soft and inviting. My fingers tightened around my cup, already itching to touch his jawline.

  My heart leaped into my throat, rendering me speechless.
>
  He looked just as shocked as I was.

  “Aqua?” His voice sounded strangled now. Shock rippled across his handsome face. “Is it really you?”

  “Breck,” I breathed, and with that one word, five years’ worth of longing and memories came rushing back in.

  Destan. School. The accident. It was too much.

  “I can’t believe you’re here,” he said, but I barely heard him around the rushing in my ears.

  This was all wrong.

  Impossible.

  I couldn’t be here. With him. Not tonight and not ever. I had to get out.

  I tipped my drink back, emptying it in one gulp, then slammed it against the bar. Sliding off the stool, I backed away, watching Breck’s surprise turn to confusion.

  “What are you doing?” he asked.

  I shook my head.

  He took a step toward me.

  “I have to go.” I turned and shoved my way straight across the dance floor and raced back inside. There was nowhere to go. I knew that. But I had to put some distance between us. To remind my heart Breck Winters was off limits. Always had been. Always would be.

  Chapter Seven

  Breck

  Son of a bitch. Aqua was the princess I’d agreed to seduce? There was no way I could use her as a bargaining chip. Before I could figure out how in the hell I was going to explain to Priscilla I was backing out of our deal, Aqua took off. Every other thought in my mind fled. All that mattered was catching her again.

  I sprinted past the dance floor and the dragon currently breathing fire in the shape of mistletoe and shoved through the door that led back inside. I caught sight of Aqua on the catwalk and hurried after her.

  She was fast, but not as fast as me. Not on two legs.

  I caught her on the second floor and grabbed her wrist, pulling her around to face me and pinning her against the wall. Her shoulders heaved with her breathing, and she stared up at me, wide-eyed and panicked. An onslaught of emotions threatened to buckle me, but I stood my ground.

  “Still running away from me, I see.” The words came out even harder than I’d intended, five years’ worth of loneliness talking.

  “What are you talking about?” she asked, confusion knitting her brows.

  “Five years ago, you ran away,” I said, wondering why she was making me state the obvious. Just saying the words sent a pang through my gut. “And now, here you are, doing it again.”

  “I didn’t run from you.”

  “Then what do you call it?” I demanded. “One day you were there, and we were—” I broke off, scowling. “The next day, you were gone. No call. No letter. Nothing.”

  “Breck.” Her voice softened. Pain flashed in her lavender eyes. “I left because duty called. After Destan died, my kingdom required I rule in his place. I had no choice.”

  “You could have said goodbye.” I hated how rough my voice sounded.

  Aqua’s eyes filled with moisture. “It was too hard. I couldn’t watch you hurt over me.”

  “Just because you weren’t there to see it doesn’t mean it didn’t happen.”

  “I know,” she whispered, “I’m so sorry.”

  Me too, I wanted to tell her. Instead, I closed the distance. The kiss was nothing like I’d imagined—and yes, I’d spent months after she’d left, imagining our reunion. She’d apologize for leaving me without a word. I’d forgive her then take her in my arms. Softly, of course. Aqua deserved tenderness always.

  But now, all I could do was claim her. My hands gripped her hips roughly, and my mouth crushed hers as I poured all of my frustration and pain into our joined lips.

  Aqua had been my one and only.

  Her brother had been my best friend.

  Our relationship had been doomed from the start.

  When she broke our kiss, I tightened my grip on her, sure she was about to run again.

  “Breck, we can’t—”

  “Dance with me.”

  She hesitated, but I didn’t give her time to refuse. Grabbing her arm, I led her down the stairs and onto the dance floor and wrapped my hands around her waist. She let me, and I exhaled, relieved when her arms wound up and around my neck. We began to sway slowly, our movements timed to our own rhythm that had nothing to do with the music.

  For long moments, we stood that way. Bodies pressed, hips swaying, arms holding. It felt surreal and way too quiet. The silence lengthened into awkwardness. I had no idea how to make things better.

  “How have you been?” she asked finally.

  “Busy,” I said for lack of a better answer.

  “CHAS?” she asked, referring to the government agency that had been trying to recruit me out of the academy.

  “Off and on. Private sector paid better.”

  Her brow arched in surprise. “You were never in it for the money.”

  “That was before.”

  She blinked and didn’t ask any more.

  Silence fell heavy again, but I didn’t care. It was enough to be touching her. To be breathing the same air. I glanced up at the band above us and sent a silent plea to let the slow song last.

  “He loved The Monster Ball, you know.”

  Her words sent shockwaves of grief through me. I forced it away and went for something lighter.

  “I know he did. How do you think I knew what the invitation was all about?” I shot back then chuckled as memories flooded me. “Destan always did love a party.”

  She didn’t answer.

  I tightened my hold on her, pulling her a little closer in silent comfort.

  “We never caught his killer,” she said.

  I bit back the curse that rose. “I’m sorry, Aqua. I should have been there. Should have—”

  “It wasn’t on you, Breck.”

  “I was his best friend.”

  “And it’s because of that he would have been glad you were spared. If you’d been at that party with him, you might be dead too.”

  “Or he’d still be alive.”

  “You can’t think like that.” The fire in her gaze turned to pleading.

  I sighed. “I know.”

  We went back to swaying. I stroked her hair, wild and wavy from the sea, and my heart ached.

  “How are you?” I asked.

  She didn’t answer right away. I waited, knowing it was her way, searching patiently for the right words. God, she was going to make a magnificent queen.

  “It’s strange without him,” she said finally.

  “He wanted you to be happy.”

  “He wanted a lot of impossible things. We all did.”

  I ignored that. “They dedicated a wing to him at graduation.”

  “I read about it. The pictures were beautiful.”

  “You could have seen it for yourself. If you’d come.”

  “My kingdom needed me. You know my parents died when I was young. Once Destan was gone, there was an attempted coup. I had to stay close.”

  “You were in danger.” The realization sobered me. I drew back and studied her for some trace of what had happened. “You should have called me. I could have helped.”

  Pain flashed. Then regret. And finally, she offered a wry half-smile. “What would I need you for? I was top of my class.”

  “Pssh.” I scoffed. “I think your memory’s failing you in your old age. I was top of the class. You were second.”

  She laughed, and the sound was pure light. My chest filled with a sensation I’d long since given up on ever feeling again.

  Without thinking, I kissed her, taking her laughter into me like it was something I could take with me when I left this place.

  “Breck.” Aqua shoved me away, her hands flattened against my chest. She stared up at me, and I waited to see if she’d run again. I couldn’t decide whether I’d chase her a second time.

  Fuck.

  Yes, I would.

  I’d chase her always.

  But instead, she stopped fighting her feelings. I watched it happen. Her lavender eyes heated to
a deeper purple. Her hands tightened around my shoulders, drawing me closer.

  “I missed you,” she said, and then she was kissing me. And I was kissing her back with everything I possessed. I couldn’t remember ever feeling more high.

  Chapter Eight

  Aqua

  I was drowning. Five years ago, I’d fallen hard for Breck Winters. The moment his mouth met mine, it all came rushing back. I clung to him, my heart bursting and my feelings straining against the confines of my own skin. It was too much. Him. This. Being here with him when I never thought I’d see him again.

  And it was against the rules.

  “Wait.” I forced myself to break the kiss.

  Breck stared down at me. The music pulsed through us both, and I watched his parted lips as he sucked in a steadying breath.

  “We can’t.” My voice cracked on the words.

  “Why not?” he asked, his voice hoarse.

  Our eyes met and held.

  “My coronation to become queen is long overdue,” I said, the words choked as I forced them out. Telling him this was like telling him goodbye; I’d never been able to say those words. “Tradition demands a queen choose her king-consort first. Instead of courting appropriate princes, I’ve spent these years trying to gather evidence against my family’s murderer and to no avail. I’ve put off choosing a mate for so long. The coronation is imminent even if I ascend the throne alone.”

  “What does that have to do with us tonight?”

  I didn’t answer, unwilling to say the words that would end this once and for all. Breck was too honorable to do anything but walk away once I told him.

  Breck took a small step closer, his blue eyes heating as he held my gaze.

  “You’re the only one I’ve ever wanted, Aqua. There’s never been anyone else.”