A Queen of Ruin (Deliciously Dark Fairytales 4)

“How do you feel?” Hadriel asked me, beaming, constantly looking around to see who was noticing him at the right-hand side of the queen.

I looked out over the people seated at the table and those waiting on the sides in attendance. Laughter rang up, and wine was being poured freely.

“Fine. Impatient.” I reached for my glass.

Nyfain glanced at me, his eyes sparkling. He dropped his hand to my thigh before turning back to his mom.

“Impatient for what?” Hadriel replied.

“Working. Doing my job. I don’t know. This seems like it’s gone on too long.”

Calia’s sister, Dessia, whom I’d never spoken to directly, leaned toward me. She was in her early twenties, with white-blonde hair that framed a very pretty face that bore a close resemblance to her sister’s. She seemed incredibly shy. She always let Calia, a few years her senior, do the talking. Always.

Until now, apparently.

“Congratulations,” she said in a voice like a soft breeze. Her startlingly blue eyes held mine. “I have never seen a queen quite like you.”

“It’s only day one. I’ll grow into it.” I gave her a thumbs-up.

She shook her head. “You mistake me. I hope that you don’t. Most royals live for fancy parties and dinners such as these. They look down on their kingdoms from their great towers, so they don’t see the people anymore. They just see taxpayers. Land owners. Bloodlines that will continue to build their kingdom in power and those that will not.”

“Ah. Well, again, it’s only day one. Who knows what the crush of time and power will do to me.” I gave her a thumbs-down this time.

Dessia laughed, covering her mouth. “No, you will not let anything crush you, I don’t think. And if they try, your great love will surely prevent it.” Her gaze flicked to Nyfain.

I wrapped my fingers around his where they rested on my thigh.

“I would like to have a great love like that someday,” she murmured, her face going red and her back bowing. She took up her fork and pushed some peas around her plate.

“Honey, we would all like to have a love like that someday, with the orgasms to show for it.” Hadriel leaned over the table to catch her eye, his smile disarming. “Have you tried one of the dragons on for size? They specialize in defending their mates. If you can stand their possessiveness, arrogance, growling, and rage issues, and—”

“Hadriel, I am getting the idea that you don’t like me,” said Vemar, on Hadriel’s other side for the same reason Hadriel had earned a spot in the seats of honor. He was enjoying himself immensely. “That hurts my feelings.”

“You don’t have feelings,” Hadriel responded. “You just have a sick sense of humor about where you randomly stick your dick.”

“C’mon,” Vemar said, leaning back. “Pretending my dick was the meat in that sandwich was funny. The bread was shaped for it and everything. A few of those condiments and ta da. Dick dog.”

“Leala should’ve actually bitten into it instead of just pretending,” Hadriel replied.

“She is the one who likes pain, not me. I told her I’d slap her bottom with these big hands she seems to like so much.” Vemar held up his large, scarred hands.

“You’re about to walk down a dark path, buddy.” Hadriel shook his head. “A very dark path. She will coax out kinks you didn’t even know you had. Despite all that time you spent in the demon castle, I’m not sure you’re ready for it. She liked all that crazy shit in that castle, remember?”

“I am just fine with having her as a guide, Sir Butler. She said she doesn’t mind sharing, and I don’t mind being shared. All at the same time, occasionally. It is a dream come true. Everyone is happy.”

“Don’t listen to them,” I told Dessia as Calia turned her attention our way. “They have long since forgotten what polite conversation is supposed to sound like.”

“Oh, don’t worry about my sister, highness—”

I put out my hand. “Call me Finley unless you absolutely have to call me highness, and then do it sarcastically so it won’t be so weird.”

Dessia laughed softly. When Calia heard it, a smile crossed her face. She inclined her head and lowered her voice. “I think now is the time it is absolutely necessary, but I will work on the sarcasm, if it pleases you.” She laughed. “Dessia has seen things most people can’t imagine. It is why she is so quiet. Sometimes, to escape one’s horrors, one must lock one’s mind inside of flesh and bone.” She spread her hands to indicate Hadriel and Vemar. “Over these many months, they have drawn her out again. And you, warrior queen, with your golden king, have intrigued her. Please, tell me you will hurry to visit us. I am pressing the king to hasten.”