I saw him... I saw Rhey.
"They are here. I know it," I lowly answered and frowned.
I had seen Rhey.
"You better pray toRiaanthat they are not, because coming to Apollo would not be a wise choice." Diavelo brought me closer to his chest, so close that I could feel his breath on my lips, his fingers slowly dancing on my thighs. I pressed my palms into his chest to keep him at length.
"What do you want from me?" I repeated. My attempt at shoving him was poor and the demon simply held my palm close to his chest. And I was in complete utter shock when I felt a heartbeat beneath it.
Abraax demons did not have hearts...
Diavelo sincerely answered, "To help send us home." The statement left me bewildered and panting, I stopped in my tracks not before another pair of hands swept me in their embrace. It was a familiar warm embrace, I looked up to find red angry eyes looking directly at me.
"Adri—"
"No, don't you dare speak."
Chapter 51
Passion and Assassin
Our numbers are dwindling and the rations sent to the camps are few. Time is running out. We need more help, we need allies. I sometimes believe that my problems will vanish if I were to kill myself, end it all and be free at last. And yet, I know that the essence of unsatisfactory needs will follow me even into the loving arms of Nocturna. One more day, I tell myself every morning. One more day until the Apollons are brought to their knees, one more day...
~The leader of the Rebellion
Aslight searing pain spread through the arm Adrion held as he led the dance towards the outskirts of the room where it was easy to leave the watchful eyes of the crowd. "What are you doing?" I snapped while trying to pull my arm away. This only led to Adrion holding my arm tighter, so tight that I would have a bruise on that arm in the morning. From the corner of my eye, I could have sworn a dark figure lurked. Darting across the crowd, leaving a trail of curiosity and uncertainty. My shadows unconsciously perked in interest, but my attention snapped back into focus when the prince commanded: "In here. Now." He had led me through a deck that overlooked the gardens, trees were lit up by gilded lanterns to brighten the darkness of the night. He finally let go of my arm which burned with relief from his tight hold, the prince gripped the handles of the glass door to close it. Shutting out the dull music and loud chatter from the ballroom, leaving us in a natural quiet with crickets chirping. I was confused and my mind was in a jumbled mess, not only from the startling conversation with Diavelo, but from Adrion pacing.
"Is everything okay?" I broke the silence. The prince gave a bitter laugh and shook his head. "Everything is more than okay." It was like watching an inferno erupt, something was wrong.
"Did something happen?" Was it Izlana...? My thoughts suddenly swarmed with questions. "Did Izlana do something?" I asked next, what if he found out about her foul actions with her brother.
The prince clutched his hair and then laughed. "No, not Izlana. You." His eyes pierced my own in an accusatory way, it felt like he was putting me on the spot with the heat of his stare. My heart stuttered and nearly stopped.
Were my secrets revealed...?
"Me?"
"Yes, you. You're what happened." I was losing air, and my heart was beating out of rhythm.
He knew... He knows what I am. He’s going to kill me...Were the thoughts that flooded my mind, it made me feel dizzy and nauseated all at once.
Would I be able to kill him?My thoughts were hesitant. Hesitance meant weakness. Weakness meant death.
"I can explain..." It all came out in a whisper and a gasp when the prince pushed me against the wall. The coldness of it biting into my back, eliciting goosebumps to travel across my skin.
"Explain what? Explain how the demon looks at you, at how you lean into his touch? How much you speak to him?" Adrion spat out in anger and his questions surprised me. "Tell me, warrior. Do you want him?" His warm hand wrapped itself around my throat. A tingling sensation ran down from the nape of my neck all the way down to my spine. "Do you want his mouth on yours?" I could feel his breath against my skin, and I couldn't help but look through my eyelashes to catch the look in his eyes. He looked like the predator he was... out for blood. Out for me...
"Do you want him touching you?" he snapped and turned me so roughly that my chest pressed against the wall and the warmth of his chest now met my back. Heat curled within the depths of my core and sudden anger sparked through me when I remembered how much of a hypocrite he was. "And so what if I do? You danced with Izlana. You've kissed her." The prince pressed me further into the wall. So I continued stubbornly. "So what if I want the demon, even if it's just for the night? Self-righteous, territorial princes aren't the only ones who have needs." I instantaneously gasped when his hand gripped my thigh through the slits of my dress. If his hands trailed higher... I'd become a quivering mess.
"Needs, huh? You are wrong... so wrong for me. Like a forbidden fruit being dangled in front of my very eyes. Your scent so sweet and yet if I took a taste, I'd be going against thecrown. My crown," He breathed against my neck. "Izlana doesn't have such a wild tongue like yours, she listens. She obeys. She only wants me, at least she is loyal to her master." His hand tightened on my hair that was bound up. I stiffened from his words and suddenly, the truth was leaving me before I could keep it in. "Do you mean the same master she calls her brother?" I retorted. His hands left me as if they were burned.
"What in Apollo's name did you just say?" The prince had a baffled look on his face.
"I caught them together. In a lover's embrace, kissing, grabbing, and touching. Trying to wash the taste of your lips away with her own brother's," I snapped. The prince's face went emotionless and for once, I didn't care if he did not believe me, even if he had me whipped and flayed because I knew I was telling the truth. "Whether you think I am lying or not, I swear she cares only for the gilded name you carry and not for you." The prince just stared into my eyes, stepping forward and cornering me against the railing where it would be easy for him to push me off. "Inanov didn't believe me either, and I know you won't either. But I speak the truth, and you will find out sooner or later," I spoke fast and gripped the railing tightly. Breathing in and out heavily. The prince laid his hands against my own.
"I have been made a fool while she lifts her skirts for her own brother. She could have slept with anyone else, but him? That is fucking madness. You did not care to reveal this to me sooner?" His voice was grave. I remained standing upright.
"Would you have even believed me?" I scoffed.
