Throne of Secrets (Prince of Sin #2)

Five Prince Gluttony

Y OU’RE EITHER GOING to have the most intense hate sex in the history of the realm,” the Prince of Lust drawled from the seat across from me, “or—”

“She’s going to castrate him,” Prince Envy said, swirling his signature cocktail, a Dark and Sinful, his expression one of mock contemplation as he sipped his blackberries and bourbon.

“My coin’s on the castration.” Lust’s charcoal eyes lit with dark amusement. “Especially after today.”

My good mood couldn’t be tarnished by my brothers’ jabs.

We were in my favorite pub—the Ox I was just Gabriel Axton here, Axton to most, not Prince Gluttony. Which was how I preferred things outside of my courtly duties.

The pub was close enough to the castle proper that I often slipped away to luxuriate in the crowded space, frequently eavesdropping on the other patrons to learn how my court was really faring these days.

For several long years provisions had been almost impossible to come by thanks to a realm-wide curse that recently broke. Each of the Seven Circles of sin had been impacted by it, but, as time wore on and not all had been restored, it seemed we all had different spells to break on our own too.

Envy recently participated in a deadly game to end his circle’s private curse, but I only knew the smallest details of how he’d accomplish that from my spies.

My brothers and I kept certain House secrets from one another, which meant I had to solve my territory’s issue on my own.

And, truth be told, I wasn’t sure where to start.

With the main curse over our world broken, things had slightly improved, but my circle wasn’t operating as well as it should be, so I gorged on my sin, using the excess power to help those who’d been impacted the most in hopes of relieving some ill effects.

But I’d never admit to any altruistic acts.

I was one of the Wicked, the great villains and monsters of mortal lore. Dark princes who embraced sin, debauchery, and wicked games, tempting and teasing mortals to our beds so they’d sell their souls to be ours.

Or so the stories claimed.

But those were tales for another day.

Today was a day to enjoy a distraction.

When I arrived at the Ox his fondness for our sister-in-law always broke through the mask of indifference he wore like armor. “I imagine Emilia took that well.”

Emilia had. She’d dug into the food and immediately tried to identify the ingredients, wanting to re-create the dish once they’d returned to House Wrath. I’d watched, almost as amused as her husband, but kept silent to enjoy the moment.

The savory potpies with flaky golden crusts were honestly the best food in the realm. The food was simple, straightforward, and delicious. Just chicken, diced onions, carrots, and celery, minced garlic, sprigs of fresh thyme, salt, pepper, and a splash of white wine.

It took years of constant persuading and cajoling, but I was finally allowed into the kitchen to help prep for dinner service and discovered the secret was the chicken thighs fried with rosemary butter Shirlee used instead of chicken breasts. It added a richness to the gravy that couldn’t be beat.

I’d take the pub food over any of the more extravagant meals that were served in my castle any day. I’d asked Shirlee once if she’d want to work for my House of Sin and she’d laughed in my face, too, saying to marry her eldest and we’d talk then. I knew she had been joking about marrying into the family, but it wouldn’t be the worst fate.

In a way, I was relieved she’d turned me down. I enjoyed this old tavern, and it wouldn’t be the same without its colorful owner and chef.

After I’d eaten half my meal, I took a deep pull of winter ale. I’d been keeping the conversation light but suspected my brothers were here for more than just the ale and food. We all had spies stationed around the realm. I wanted to know what theirs had heard.

“I’m surprised you tore yourself away from Camilla,” I said. “Trouble at home already, brother?”

Envy’s expression shuttered. “My fiancée is tending to her gallery in Waverly Green.”

Lust’s smile turned wicked.

He loved sharing gossip, especially when it needled one of us. Which meant this ought to be good. “He’s pissy because Wolf went with her.”

“Ah. Jealousy,” I mocked softly. “So necessary to stoke your sin, but gods’ blood you look ready to put your fist through a wall. Camilla really knows how to work you up.”

Envy’s grip on his tankard tightened, but he showed no other outward sign of being annoyed.

I knew him well enough to know he was probably envisioning all the ways he’d slaughter the Fae male who’d been Camilla’s first lover.

From what my spies had gathered, Wolf had stayed at House Envy for the last month. That Envy hadn’t murdered him in his sleep was a testament to how much he adored his soon-to-be wife. But Envy only played nicely for so long. Even we knew not to test him too much.

“Playing the game is only fun when you’re the one making the rules. Isn’t that right, dear brother?” Lust dodged Envy’s blow, laughing harder than he had before.

“Bullshit aside,” Envy said, teeth gritted, “we’re here because of a rumor.”

“Oh?” I lazily traced a line of condensation on my mug. That my brothers came to deliver the news in person didn’t bode well. “No, I’m not hosting a competition to find a consort. Much to the constant dismay of the realm.”

Envy and Lust exchanged serious looks.

“It’s about the ice dragons.”

My pulse roared through my veins. Wrath and I had been careful with our cover-up.

“What about them?”

For the second time tonight Envy’s mask of indifference slipped.

“They’ve been gathering in larger groups.”

“How highly unusual.” I leaned forward, my tone dripping with sarcasm. “Maybe they’re brewing tea and making scones. The weather has turned frigid.”

“You know as well as I do they’re not sitting down to sip some bloody tea,” Envy snapped. “There’s talk of the alpha recently killing off a member.”

I didn’t stop tracing the line of condensation on my mug, but inside I stilled.

“Rumor claims it was a punishment,” Lust said, watching me carefully. “Have the dragons broken the treaty?”

“Aren’t you both above listening to gossip?” I asked.

“Answer the question, Gabriellis.” Envy’s gaze was as hard as his tone.

“You’re in my circle,” I said quietly. “I take orders from no one.”

A tense moment passed between us as I held my brother’s stare.

I hadn’t pulled my House dagger on him, but I would without hesitation, and Envy knew it. I’d permitted my brothers to stay here only because it served my needs.

My hospitality was fleeting, though. Especially when my House secrets were at stake.

The air around us chilled with our mutual displeasure, the other tavern patrons giving us sideways glances, their hands creeping toward their own weapons in case a brawl broke out.

Finally, Envy settled back against his seat, easing some of the tension with the movement.

“Where did you hear these rumors?” I asked, unwilling to alert my brothers to a lie if I answered their question. A Prince of Sin couldn’t exactly lie, but we found ways to omit truths. Word in the shadows claimed that Envy had actually found a way around that rule but hadn’t given up that secret to anyone.

Lust’s expression turned uncharacteristically somber. “Our spies.”

“Do either of you have proof?” I demanded.

“Not yet.” Envy pushed to his feet, tossing an extra coin into the center of the table for the staff. “But if you won’t tell us the truth, we’ll hunt it down on our own.”

“And?” I said, tone hard. “Once you go off on your little adventure, do you think I should welcome you back to my circle with open arms?”

Envy and Lust exchanged another charged look.

“If the rumor proves true and the treaty was violated,” Envy said, “then you’ll have little choice. You might be the one tasked with enforcing compliance, but we all signed the pact.”

I cursed that one clause I’d included. It granted my brothers a meeting of their choosing if there was ever a breach of conduct or break in the treaty, since it would signal an issue for the entire Seven Circles. It had seemed wise all those years ago, and a bit unnecessary. After the dragons’ massacre of our people and the signing of the treaty, we all thought peace would reign.

Now it meant I had to be even more vigilant against surprise visits.

I finished the rest of my winter ale and stood. “Have fun on your fruitless quest, dear brothers. I have much more stimulating entertainment planned for this evening.”