“No,” I say, glaring at the asshole in front of me. “Aaron is my full brother.”
“Ahhh, he didn’t tell you about me, huh?” He lands his hand back on my shoulder and this time squeezes with even more pressure. I force myself not to respond. Not even a flinch. “Probably worried I’d steal you away from him. I am a lot more charming and,” he rubs at his chin, “a lot more talented.”
I manage not to scoff, although Dray does. He isn’t so bothered about hurting the dickhead’s feelings.
“Got something to say there, wolf?” Aaron spits dangerously.
“Last time you were pitted against Beau, he wiped the floor with your ass.”
Aaron is only a couple of years older than me. But we were never close – those around us choosing to drive rivalrybetween the Empress’s children rather than a closeness. It’s true my powers have grown stronger than his. It’s also true we are siblings. But it doesn’t mean I trust him within a foot of Briony.
“Always making up bullshit, you wolves, aren’t you? I don’t understand why the Empress hasn’t banned you from the palace altogether, considering all the trouble you cause. Although, that brother of yours, Danders, is particularly effective at sucking up, Eros. You could learn a thing or two from him,” he says, downing the rest of his champagne and smacking the empty glass down hard on a passing tray. He grins at Briony again. “I wouldn’t believe a word these three tell you. Especially if little Beau here hasn’t even told you about his dashingly good-looking brother, huh?” He plucks another full glass of champagne from a second tray and takes a long swig. “Pretty little thing, that dress is.” He groans and Briony’s grip on my arm tightens as my shadows flare. “You wearing anything under it?”
Briony blushes beside me.
“Don’t talk to her that way,” I tell him.
“Why not? She’s just some slut from … hmmm … let me guess … Granite?”
“Slate,” Briony says loudly and proudly causing several of the eaves-droppers nearby to gasp.
Aaron tips his head back and roars with laughter.
I want to smack him right in that big mouth of his. My shadows are eager to be released. But it’s what he wants. A provocation so I end up kicked out. And we can’t afford that.
“That’s classic,” he says, finally wiping the tears from his eyes. “I hope you boys have been wearing protection. I hear the girls down that way carry all kinds of diseases. Although,” he says, reaching out to stroke at Briony’s cheek, “I think I’d risk a trip to the clinic for a chance to fuck your ass, sweetheart.”
Thorne shuffles forward beside me, his face brimming with constrained anger and Dray flickers between his two forms, hands curled into fists, teeth clenched.
But it’s neither of them I should be worrying about because it’s our little thrall that has a ball of light forming in her hands and thwacking the asshole smack in the center of his gut.
His glass flies up in the air and smashes into a million pieces on the floor as he folds in half, staggering back and groaning.
“Your brother?” Briony hisses at me, seemingly unaware of all the people now staring open-mouthed at us.
“I don’t consider him my brother,” I snarl. “He’s a drunk and an idiot.”
“But you never told me about him.”
“He’s trouble,” Thorne says.
“Would you want to confess to a brother like that?” Dray points out.
It’s nice to have them both backing me up for a change.
“I think assholeyness might be a family trait,” she mutters under her breath.
Aaron recovers his breath and peers up at all of us, his eyes swimming with tears.
“Wh-what was that?” he chokes out. “She attacked me.”
“You deserved that, you cunt,” Dray snaps.
My brother scowls at us and then, clutching his stomach, cries out, so everyone can hear him. “She attacked me! She attacked me! She attacked the Prince!”
Once again, I try to take Briony by the arm and pull her away to safety. Once again, I’m too late. Because now we’re surrounded by guards.
Chapter Twenty-Two
