Covet the Night, page 46
The room was teeming with sisters as she skidded to a halt near the center of the room, her chest heaving in muscle memory.
"Fox." The rebuke was whispered hotly in her ear seconds later by Laurel. Her sire stood behind her, hands clasped like iron shackles on her upper arms. "We must return—"
"Laurel, what is the meaning of this?"
The sisterhood stepped aside as Madame Roux stormed up to them. Another loud bang boomed off the walls. The chandeliers tinkled in agitation, their lights flickering.
Madame Roux's frosty glare fixed on Fox. "Your ex-lover is demanding your presence. I was under the impression that you'd ended that little affair."
"It's true," Fox said.
Madame Roux hissed and struck without mercy. Fox stumbled sideways in shock. She kept upright solely by Laurel's steadying hands. Fox brought a hand to her cheek. The sting of her backhand hurt far worse as a vampyré than as a human. Madame Roux hadn't held back.
"Do not lie to me, Foxglove. Narcissus! Come here this instant."
Narcissus appeared. She was a vision in black, her oxblood hair left down in loose, natural waves. She wore a neutral expression, but her honey-brown eyes, now lined slightly in silver, were dilated as she took in the room. When her gaze finally focused on Fox, they contracted to slits.
"Tell me, Narcissus," Madame Roux purred. "Has our dear Foxglove lied to us? Is William still her lover?"
The two fledgling vampyrés stared at one another for a long moment before Narcissus broke and turned to Peony. Tension rode through Fox's body as she waited for the other girl to out her. They'd started the initiation as wary rivals and ended it as sisters. Would she remain true to Fox or cave to Madame Roux's influence?
Laurel's grip tightened on Fox’s arms.
"No, Madame, she isn't."
Madame Roux's glare intensified. "You would dare lie to me?"
Narcissus turned up her chin. "I'm not lying. He isn't her lover. We spoke of the matter during our last test. William Gunwyn is not Fox's lover."
Fox thought she might collapse in relief.
Around the foursome, the sisterhood shuffled closer, monitoring the scene with eager eyes. Danger pounded at their door, but the threads of discontent weaving around them were the more pressing threat. Suspense hung in the air as they waited for Madame Roux to act.
Action, however, came in a different form. The Roux's mammoth mahogany front doors blasted off their hinges with an ear-splitting bang. Alarmed cries echoed as the debris settled, and a figure walked through the plume of dust the destruction created.
"Ladies, ladies, do calm yourselves. There's more than enough of me to go around, I assure you."
A gentleman dressed finely in dark slacks and suspenders emerged, walking cane in hand. He wore a charming grin and an eye patch. It was Jax, the Vranas’ sorcerer.
"Have you done something different with your hair, Indigo? I like it." The vampyré released a feral hiss at the compliment, her sisters holding her back while Jax stood affably at the ruin of the door. "I'll, of course, fix this and replace your wards once you've—"
"Get out!" Madame Roux commanded.
Jax feigned a wince and went about studying the collection of vampyrés, searching for something, or rather, someone. The hostility of the room skyrocketed at the display, but Jax was either unaware of the danger he put himself in or struck dumb in the head. When his eyes landed on Fox, determination hardened his expression.
"She's here," he said.
The skin at Fox's nape prickled as several persons walked into the Roux Household.
The first was Jakob Vrana, and hot on his heels was Cynfor Gunwyn. They stopped to flank Jax. Up close, Cynfor was of an intimidating stature. Though shorter than Jakob, what he lacked in height, he made up for in breadth. He spotted Fox and sent her a wink.
Laurel pushed Fox behind her as the last of the interlopers came in. Fox stood frozen as she listened to the stream of curses making their way down the entry corridor and saw him immediately. His face and beard were still coated in grime and blood, and his clothes fared little better. Impeding William's entry were two women. It was Irina and Ruby.
"Where is she?" He scoured the room until his eyes latched on Fox's partially hidden figure.
Her body thrummed with need as she bore the intensity of his regard. William dodged the two women impressively to get to her side but made it no farther than a few feet thanks to Irina's reflexes. In less than a blink, he was flat on his back with the point of her heel dug into his sternum. Ruby shuffled over to the other side of him, arms folded.
"You said you'd be on your best behavior," Irina scolded.
William sneered up at her. "She's mine."
"Is that all you know how to say?"
His second attempt to reach Fox fared better, but he only gained another foot. This time it was his head of household who stood in his path with his hand flat against the hybrid’s chest.
"We'll talk in a civilized manner about this," Cynfor rumbled, his voice like gravel, "or not at all. Do not embarrass our household. You're acting as if you're nay out of your first fifty years, William."
A caustic laugh disrupted the moment. Madame Roux sauntered forward; a nasty sneer spread across her face. "Embarrass your household? I am afraid this act goes far past embarrassment, Lord Gunwyn. You've forced your way into the apartments of a Royal Household. Heads will roll." She bared her fangs at William. "His first."
Cynfor patted William on the chest as he released a ferocious growl. "Stand down, William. Allow me to handle things." Remarkably, William did as he was told, his gaze torn between glaring back at Madame Roux and pining for Fox. "Now, Peony—"
"I wasn't aware we were on such familiar terms, Lord Gunwyn. You'll address me as my title."
Cynfor canted his head in acquiescence, idling forward with a becoming grin. "Madame Roux, no heads need roll for a simple matter such as this."
Madame Roux arched a single brow. "And what, pray tell, is this 'simple matter,' Lord Gunwyn? As I understand it, your dog here has picked up a scent he's loath to quit. And now he's commandeered the help of another household to come in and steal what is rightfully ours. Do not think we will stand idly by and allow our newest sister to become his chew toy."
Cynfor glanced back at William, raising one hand in placation as he growled. When turned back to Madame Roux, all pleasantry was gone from his body language. The head of the Gunwyn household donned a mask of cold civility. His eyes narrowed on Madame Roux.
"I mean no disrespect when I say you'd best mind your words when it comes to the lady in question." Cynfor jerked his head in Fox's direction.
Madame Roux snarled. "How dare you!"
"Now, Peony," Jakob drawled, "hear the man out. And you." He dragged his gaze to Cynfor. "Get to the point before she rips out your heart."
Fox was surprised to see how red Madame Roux's face had gone. "I will not stand for this. I will not be made a fool of in my own home. Everyone to their rooms except Cassia, Violet, Laurel, and Foxglove."
The named women shared shrewd glances with one another as they remained in the room. Their strife was evident, but none dared speak in deference to Madame Roux. When the rest of the room cleared, Madame Roux prowled the distance between William and Fox. Her lips curled in distaste as her contempt ushered between them.
"Explain to me this 'simple matter,'" she ordered between clenched teeth.
William rolled his shoulders back and puffed out his chest proudly, but it was Laurel's voice that broke the ensuing silence.
"They're soulmarks." She stepped more fully in front of Fox. "Marked."
Madame Roux reared back. Horror was etched in every distraught line wrinkling her face. "Impossible."
"It's true. Earlier, I could feel it. There was an unnatural resistance to the sire bond. If we stand in the way of their bond, Fox will surely perish. We must do all we can to ensure our sister's survival," Laurel entreated.
Madame Roux spun away from them, her spine and shoulders straight as a T.
Fox pressed closer to Laurel's back, her hand coming to rest between her sire’s shoulder blades. Laurel leaned into the touch.
"I urge you to consider her words," Jakob spoke with calm confidence, his hawkish regard saved for Madame Roux.
"Oh?" Madame's voice sounded peaked. "And why is that?" As she turned to face them all once more, her eyes were ruby red. "Why should I not simply kill the childe? In doing so, I'd defeat the greatest threat to be seen in the Dark Court." Her venomous gaze turned to William. "The court will no doubt sing my praises."
Jakob cleared his throat, a fist politely at his mouth to hide the smug curve forming on his lips. "I wouldn't go so far as to say that, Peony. Your household’s recent behavior has not sat well among the court. Such an attack would not be viewed kindly."
"What behavior?"
"You've slaughtered two clans of sorcerers, one of them your own." Cynfor crossed his arms over his barrel-sized chest.
Madame Roux's aggressive stance did not lessen. "Your point?" she asked, each syllable delivered crisply. "Those sorcerers were out of control. They attacked us outright!"
"You acted as judge, jury, and executioner, bypassing all procedure to deal with a matter of this gravity," Jakob explained as if speaking to a child. Madame Roux's glare grew fiercer. "How can we expect the rest of the court to abide by our laws if you yourself ignore them?"
Madame Roux opened her mouth to deliver some biting retort, but Jax stepped forward, rapping his cane on the marble floor. He stood tall beneath Madame Roux's scathing regard, his own one-eyed gaze cool as ice.
"They speak of riot and revolution."
"You cannot know such things." Madame Roux waved her hand dismissively at him.
"Oh, but I do," he confided in a menacing voice. The air became thicker around them, nipping at their skin with an unnatural charge. "It's no secret that the clans and shifters are disgruntled with their status at court. This recent debacle will send them over the edge. I imagine your household will need to tread carefully where they're concerned. And as for the matter of your trial—"
"My trial! Don't be absurd. I've done nothing wrong."
"Save for sanctioning and carrying out the murders of two sorcerer clans."
"They kidnapped our girls! Tortured and left them for dead!"
Jakob remained unmoved by Madame Roux's righteous fury. "Whatever story you tell will not be enough this time. They will call for blood, and they will call for yours, and I vow to support it. Your instability and chaos have put the Royal Households’ authority into question."
Madame Roux began to walk in a tight circle, her furious glare jumping between the four men. Fox glanced nervously at William. His temper was reined—for the most part—but an insistent tug at the soulmark made Fox long to be at his side.
"Perhaps a different story might be told to help restore the Roux name," Violet offered, stepping forward from her position near Laurel and Fox. Madame Roux halted and stared at Violet mutinously. Violet kept cool and looked pointedly at the soulmarks. "One of a secret, forbidden love that was almost thwarted by a band of rogue sorcerers."
Madame Roux vibrated with anger.
"It would do wonders for your household's image if such a love was sanctioned by yourself," Irina added smoothly. "Everyone loves a happy ending, don't you agree?"
Nobody spoke as they waited for Madame Roux to decide if more blood was to be spilled or if she would accept defeat.
"I should think not."
Heads whipped toward Cassia, who'd remained silent thus far.
"Thank you, dearest Cassia. You are a voice of reason among this insanity." Madame Roux walked briskly to her sister's side and grasped both her hands. "I knew I could count on your support. It's obvious such a union would cause disastrous results. What might others think possible if we condone this? Not only would a Royal Household be sanctioning a relationship with someone of such low status but that of a pure vampyré with a hybrid. Pure chaos would descend, and we already teeter on the brink of revolution." Her last word was laced in disgust.
"Oh, sister." Cassia opened her arms and engulfed Peony in a hug. They pulled apart almost as quickly as they came together. Cassia cradled Peony's face, staring into her eyes with grave sympathy. "That is not what I meant."
The resounding crack of Madame Roux's neck took Fox by surprise. It did for the others as well. Every mouth was agape as Madame Roux hit the ground with a dull thud.
"Laurel?"
At once, Violet and Laurel acted, moving into a defensive position in front of Fox. Cassia raised both eyebrows, unimpressed.
"Relax, sisters. I'm on your side, after all," she said graciously, stepping over the fallen body of Peony. A small, satisfied smile toyed at her lips. "A fact you shall not forget in the coming hours as I claim my rightful title as Madame Roux, no?" Violet inclined her head, her face giving away no thought to her true emotions. "Very good. Be a dear and take care of her body, Violet, before she heals herself and awakens. To my knowledge, the crematorium is still running hot with all those magicians from earlier this evening. Burn her till she’s ashes. That will circumvent any possible resurrections." Cassia directed an ambivalent smile to Lord Gunwyn. "I think it best for all if Foxglove and William were to solidify their union in a public ceremony with a grand reception for all the court to attend."
Cassia swung her gaze and smile next to Jakob and Irina.
"And with the Vranas’ support of the union along with ours, and pending the Delacroix, the Royal Households will present a strong and united front for the Dark Court." A frown played over Cassia's features as she paused and added one last caveat. "And Valdora herself should oversee the ceremony to mend all those… burnt bridges. Then everyone shall have their happily ever after."
"And why should she do that after the hell you've put her through? You killed her entire clan," Jax argued, a palpable dark energy seeming to rise off him.
Cassia tsked, then laughed. The husky sound was full of victory. "Valdora is pragmatic. If she wishes to avoid all-out war in the Dark Court, she will gladly comply. Besides, how upset can she truly be if her clan mates went behind her back to torture and kill our innocent girls? I'm sure this happy ending will appease the masses. Her little crew of spiteful tempests was slain by the reigning champion of the Pits as he fought to save his soulmark. Who knows, maybe their love story will inspire other odd pairs to come forth, and the unrest at court will settle even more."
Jax's strict posture did not relent, though his dark energy was contained.
Cassia smirked at his obvious ire as the room's energy shifted to one of tepid promise.
"I'll support it," William chimed in.
"Someone's eager," Cassia teased, looking far too pleased with herself as Violet hauled Peony's body away.
William grunted, then, as if he could no longer control himself, crossed the distance to Fox and took her in his arms. He kissed her with bruising force as he poured his relief and desire into the kiss. Fox surrendered to the onslaught with a decidedly unladylike moan that echoed for all to hear. Someone cleared their throat. A crass comment was made.
William pulled back only enough to speak. "I love you," he swore. "I thought I'd lost you when I woke up in that blazing mess. I felt you—" He gulped, stumbling over the word. "—die."
Fox placed his hand over her heart. He brushed his thumb near enough to the soulmark to make her blood hot with need. "I did die, but never again."
He captured her lips, the sweet torture of his gentle caress nearly undoing Fox as the link between them flooded with happiness.
"Now, then," Cassia said loudly over Fox's second moan. The destined pair peeled away from their intimate embrace to stand hand in hand. "There's still much to be discussed. Shall we retreat to neutral grounds—I'm sure the Vranas would be happy to host—where we might engage over the finer terms of what this union will bring to both households, lest there be any confusion on the matter?"
XXVIII
T
he most contentious part of the Roux and Gunwyn marital negotiations arose not from expected duties or dowries but from the couple’s living arrangements. As a fledgling vampyré, the Roux insisted on Fox residing within their suite to teach her their ways and traditions. Laurel especially fretted over her well-being outside her care. The negotiations lasted three nights before Cynfor conceded to the placement of new quarters for Fox and William closer to the Roux's suite, gaining several concessions on his previous demands.
Their apartment was small and took up space in the unused common area of the Royal Households on the first floor. It boasted a receiving room large enough to comfortably host a couple guests and take their meals, plus a spacious bedroom and en suite bath. Fox adored it, though she held some misgivings about its lack of privacy. Besides the main entrance, it had two inner entry points for easy access by the Roux and Gunwyn households.
Fox was headed there now, trailed by Narcissus—or Cissy, as she preferred to be called—and Marigold. Supernaturals of all kinds milled about the Royal Ballroom, enjoying the lavish celebration. Fox was stopped by more people than she could count, though a few stuck out in her mind as she waded through the bodies toward the exit.
Like Valdora. The sorceress spoke to Fox stiffly as they exchanged apologies: the sorceress for Fox's suffering and Fox for Valdora's loss. The sorceress parted with a solemn and sad warning for Fox to stay vigilant. She said the grandeur and favor their union garnered would wane soon enough, but the acts of her sisterhood would be remembered. Valdora wasn't sure if William would be able to shield her from their wrath.
She would have taken offense, but the sorceress had spoken with such graveness and sorrow that she thanked her instead.
