“What? Are you getting tired of me saving you?”
Before I could respond to the obvious jab, I was twirled and sent straight to the arms of another. One inhale told me it was a witch.My witch.
Cedar met me with a smirk of her own. My stomach twisted as I was hit by a bitter thought.
Is she mad at me?
As her eyes flicked from mine down to my body, my next thought was,I hope she is.
“So,Brat…” She dropped her voice to a whisper. “You really thought you could get away from us?”
Shivers ran down my spine. Her hands were on me, burning their way through my dress.
“I’m doing this for us,” I hissed and looked over my shoulder to my brother, who was currently being entertained by a feeder.
Thank god.But it wouldn’t last long, and I needed to make sure that the two of them were out of here before he caught on.And before they ruined the plan.
I was turned around, but instead of going to the next awaiting vampire, I was taken back into Vesper’s arms. This time, she got close enough for her lips to brush against my ear.
It was too much. I couldn’t pull myself from her even if I wanted to.
“If you think I’m letting you get married, think again,” she said and twirled me so hard, I lost sight of the crowd. The only eyes I was able to make out were hers and Cedar’s. I couldn’t feel their lips by my ears, but I could hear their voices as if they were being whispered right next to me.
“You’re ours, Princess.”
“And we’re here to claim you.”
It wasn’t a promise. It was a threat. They were angry. They’d come here to make sure I knew where I belonged.
Their hands were on me, burning and claiming, just like their whispers.
But that was part of the problem.
Everyone was trying to put me back in my place. To quell the cruel side of me. Lock me in a cage, only to be let out to do their bidding.
They loved me. I loved them.
But it was time I let that side out.
I pulled them to me, forcing the three of us together. Our waltz jerked to a halt, just like everyone around us, who slowly started to realize that these people were not supposed to be here.
“Aurelia,” Vesper growled.
I let my hand brush across her cheek.
“Vampirism looks good on you,” I told her. Her eyes widened before her mask was back on. Almost like she was shocked that I would accept it, let alone like it. I then turned to Cedar, one finger brushing across her lips. “But this is not the time. Whatever you’re about to see, I want you to remember what you both mean to me.Trust me.”
I lingered for a moment, taking them in. I didn’t know if I would be able to see them again after my marriage, and them being here was like a slap in the face. Not because they were trying to mess everything up, but because I was going to betray them.
My guilt attacked my body like a hailstorm. It hurt to do this without them here. But now that they were standing right in front of me, it felt even worse.
Stoning my expression, I pushed them back, the tension between us changing.
Shock crossed their faces. Vesper let out a low growl, and Cedar’s hands came to her arm as if to stop her from pouncing on me.
“Who let them in?” I asked, raising my voice.
The music stopped. Vampires spoke in hushed tones. The sound of Adrian’s amused chuckle reached my ears. Using his vampire speed, he came to my side, his hand grabbing mine.
