I carefully replace my sandwich, no need for this to get that messy, and push the plate away. CK’s face goes even darker as he sees me eating actual food, on my own, for no apparent reason, but it is Cole who speaks first.
“Hello, Mrs. Draconis. I trust you had a pleasant wedding,” he snarls.
Oh, boy, they are fully up to speed here. “Cole, CK, it isn’t what you think.” I stand up quickly and Jess backs away. She looks surprised, as if she didn’t know. Well, she does now.
“Oh, I think it is exactly what I think,” Cole says. “I knew there was something going on. I knew it and you denied it!”
“Cole!” I snap at him. “Listen to me. It was a tactical move. Political. That’s it,” I say, hoping that those words never make it back to Lord Falcor’s ears.
“Why?” CK growls at me but having the presence of mind to at least let me explain.
Which I do, the abridged version of the Trial. I am quite happy to have the kitchen island in between us, as it doesn’t really go over as well as I had hoped. Cole is in front of me in flash, staring down at me. “How long has this been going on?” he asks.
“Six months,” I reply and get the shock of my life when he raises his hand to me and slaps me, hard across the face. Yeah it hurt, but the fact that he did it, hurts worse.
“And you only mention now that you have been forced to wed and fuck that Demon?” he yells at me, before CK sends him sprawling across the kitchen floor.
“Touch her like that again and I will have your head,” he says. Ironic, really, seeing as he has done far worse to me in the past. Perhaps that is why he got all defensive. I help Cole up as Jess cowers in the corner. She is trapped, all the exits are currently blocked by three very angry Vampires. He shakes me off and glares at me. “I thought we talked about everything,” he says quietly. “Why didn’t you tell me about this?”
“I didn’t want to worry you unnecessarily,” I say lamely.
“Bullshit,” CK suddenly shouts at me. “I know you too well, Aefre. You would only hide it if you actually had something you wanted to hide. Are you fucking him now that he is your husband?” The venom is dripping like Remiel’s fangs in his voice. “Or were you always fucking him? I told you months ago I would not tolerate that with him.” He advances on me and I brace myself for another slap, but he just stands so close to me, baring his fangs, forcing me to look up at him. An intimidation tactic if I ever saw one off him.
“Back off,” I snarl at him and push on his chest. He is no longer a threat to me, and I will not be treated in such a manner in my own home by my own husband.
“You are both way off base,” I lie. What else can I do? Admit to my Blood Magick tie with Xane and lose them both? Not a fucking chance. Not here, not today with Jess watching with far more curiosity and less fear now. “However,” I add and Cole Vamps out on me now as well, “We do have to move to the Underworld tomorrow and everyone has to play nice. If word gets out, I will be handed off to Sven to do with me as he chooses.”
That gives them pause, but then, being the clever arse that he is, CK says, “You are Queen, why can’t you just tell them the way it is going to be?”
“Don’t you think I tried that?” I ask in exasperation. “I am dealing with thousands upon thousands of Demons who all want a piece of me. Unless I kill all of the opposers and start a war, I have no choice but to bend to their traditions. Xane just made a way where we could do it without bloodshed and loss. It is legal and it is final.” As is this discussion. I cross my arms and they both fall back and retract their fangs, not happy in the least.
“You should have discussed this with us first, Aefre,” CK says. “Do you even care that you have just added a third husband here? Has that even registered with you, the effects that this is going to have on the three of us?”
“Yes, of course,” I say indignantly. Although, the third husband in question was supposed to be Devon. So…no, not really. Didn’t exactly have much time to process it. “This will not affect our relationship at all. I promise both of you that. This is just politics,” I say again.
At this point, Cade walks into the kitchen and rears back from the angry vibe that is still bouncing around. He glances at my husbands and then to me. “I’ll come back,” he says and turns to leave.
“No, wait,” I say. “What is it?” Anything to change the subject.
“Uh, that thing you asked me to look into,” he says.
I pounce on it. “You know?” I ask.
“Yeah,” he says and looks really uncomfortable.
“Well?” I say to him.
He looks at the others and says, “Perhaps, show rather than tell? I know you like to kill the messenger and I’m just starting to accept what I am.”
While that warms my heart, he has me seriously worried. What on Earth could Devon be up to that would make me so mad as to want to kill?
“Show me,” I say shortly, and he gestures for me to follow.
Of course, CK, Cole, and Jess follow suit, eager to be a part of what’s going on, our fight already forgotten under the intrigue. Cade marches through the house and outside, across the terrace, down the steps and heads towards the woods at the back. I follow with a feeling of dread. The other three hang back as they pick up on my anxiety over this and want to give me some space, just in case I do decide to go homicidal. I run after Cade in my heels. His long strides slow down as we enter the woods. I am so not dressed for this, but I am too nervous to change. What is Devon doing in these woods, and with whom?
Silently Cade leads me to the clearing, and I stop dead. I see Devon at the exact moment he senses me. He is kissing a dark-haired woman who is clinging to him. No, not kissing, they are fucking up against a tree. Devon’s head spins and he stumbles back as he sees me, quickly adjusting his clothing. His face goes deathly pale and he looks from me to her. I look at her now and my jaw drops as does my stomach.
She looks identical to me, to Elizabeth.