Throne of Secrets (Prince of Sin #2)

Thirty-Nine Prince Gluttony

G OOD MORNING, SUITORS . Thank you for joining me this lovely winter’s day for our first public event.”

I flashed my most charming smile at the group of potential brides standing before me, dressed in their thickest cloaks, ignoring the sharp pain radiating down my back. It had only been a few hours, and the dragon wounds still hadn’t healed, not that I expected they would, given Helga’s assessment, and each breath was more agonizing than I’d care to admit.

Though some discomfort was alleviated simply by being near Adriana again. At least my body wasn’t fighting against the blood oath magic too.

My attention swept across the throne room—at my request, Val had had it decorated like a winter wonderland, leaning into the blizzards battering our circle this time of year.

Snow-covered bows arched down the aisle toward the throne, the little Fae orbs hanging from them offering a soft, flickering glow. Trees sculpted from thick slabs of ice twisted up toward the painted ceiling, giving the impression we were under a cloud-covered sky.

I’d even altered the temperature, so it felt as if we were all standing outside in an enchanted forest. The result was appropriately overindulgent and very House Gluttony.

Mugs of melted chocolate with brandy marshmallows and trays laden with pastries were passed around to the crowd, who’d been told to attend in their finest winter attire.

Despite the lavish setup for what promised to be an enjoyable event, today would be excruciating for me to get through. Though, given the nature of today’s event, I wouldn’t be the only one suffering. My sweet, devious rival would undoubtedly want to throttle me soon enough.

Which would prove entertaining for the papers. Thus far we’d done a wonderful job with keeping the scandal sheets busy, ironically, thanks in part to Miss Match breaking the story first, but that could change as swiftly as the next gust of wind.

I’d had everyone gather in my throne room—including Miss Saint Lucent—the chamber now filled to capacity with members of every House of Sin who’d scored an invitation to the grand event.

I wanted to lean into my public reputation, giving the realm everything they desired in their favorite rake.

I stood before my dragon throne, ensuring my voice carried over the excited hum.

“From now through the end of the competition, at least one suitor will be eliminated per week until the best match remains.”

There was a polite smattering of applause from the crowd of courtiers.

My brothers stood stoically near their House members, watching the show with interest. All except Pride. He had declined the invitation at the last minute. A surprise to no one.

My brothers looked as eager as the rest of the crowd to find out what we’d be doing today. Rumors in the papers already hinted at it, and I was excited to confirm their suspicions.

My attention slid to Adriana. Our bond unexpectedly hummed as I took her in, and I wondered if she felt the corresponding sensation. I flexed my hand, wishing I had a weapon in it and was on the hunt, burning off whatever this growing hunger was.

No good would come from it.

I tore my attention away from her and settled it on much safer sights. My suitors. Vanity was resplendent in a gown and matching cloak that looked like spun gold. Eden stood beside her, wearing an amused expression that worried me.

She, like her sister, observed far too much.

Cobra played with a dagger, her expression set into one of pure determination.

Erudite sagged behind the ever-hostile House Greed and House Envy suitors, reading a book she’d snuck in, and Allure from House Lust eyed me up like I was on the menu today and she was rather hungry.

I’d chosen a lovely little test for today and knew Adriana would absolutely hate it. Perhaps enough to seek me out in private to tell me how much of a worthless rake I was.

An eventuality I shouldn’t be looking forward to. We needed to stay away from each other, not keep tempting fate. I was already struggling to maintain control of my power while fighting a secret war at night.

“My brothers wanted each House of Sin represented as I decided on events, but as this competition is to find my match, I’ve decided to tailor each one to House Gluttony.”

I scanned the suitors again, then settled my gaze on my rival.

I was very curious to see how she’d react to the news. The oath had to be impacting her as strongly. No matter how hard she’d pretended otherwise.

“Our first test will be kissing, in tribute to indulging sweet desires. Though I’m sure my brother will say it’s secretly an ode to House Lust.”

Excited shouts and catcalls went up from the House Lust section of the audience, my brother’s whoop being the loudest. I’d decided, last minute, this “test” would be the easiest for me to withstand while I healed.

“But that’s not all. The test begins now. Each of you will be given a chance to vote for your favorite suitor.”

A lovely flush spread across Adriana’s face and neck.

I would wager my crown she wasn’t blushing from excitement. She was likely so angry she was contemplating joining House Wrath.

“In the spirit of keeping things fair, I’ll be blindfolded. Whoever ignites the most passionate response with a single kiss wins. Everyone else will face possible elimination. Val?”

I motioned to my second-in-command, who strode up the dais, blindfold in hand.

Once it had been secured, I set my expression into my familiar mask. The crowd roared with approval. “All right. Val, please send the first suitor up.”

With my eyes covered, the rest of my senses were heightened. I heard the light pad of her heels as the first suitor slowly ascended the dais.

I sensed her excitement and nervousness but also that she was oddly determined as she rolled onto her toes and… gave me a chaste kiss on the cheek. My lips twitched. If I had to place a wager at one of Greed’s gambling dens, I’d say that had been Eden Everhart.

The next suitor strode up to the dais, her steps ringing out like gunfire as her heels clicked against the stone floor. I had no guess at her identity as she gently nibbled my bottom lip.

Perhaps Erudite from House Sloth. It had been a slow sort of embrace. Book lovers made secretly devious bedmates. No wonder Sloth’s House was a library.

The third potential match was before me, and with my eyes still damnably covered, my mind suddenly played a horrid trick on me. Instead of one of my suitors’, it was Adriana’s hands that were gently sliding up my chest, prompting my pulse to speed.

My face angled down to hers as if drawn by a magnetism we couldn’t deny.

The moment our lips brushed, my hands settled on her waist, the kiss a slow, sweet greeting between lovers. I’d just been struggling to breathe, yet suddenly seemed fine now that it was my rival in my arms.

In the darkest recess of my mind I knew this wasn’t real, that Adriana was across the room and would never kiss me so thoroughly in public—or private—but I didn’t want to give up the fantasy just yet. My body hummed with new need as my hand idly stroked along her side.

My touch was so light, so tender, I felt her swaying closer, losing herself to our embrace. I slowly tugged her against me, needing to feel her heart beating in time with mine.

The kiss drew hoots and hollers from the crowd as we got lost in each other.

I ignored the building applause as I deepened our kiss.

Truth be told, I’d forgotten all about the competition. The other suitors. The many eyes glued to us. I wanted to fall back onto my throne with her on my lap and take her right there.

Adriana was all I—I abruptly stepped back, breaking the kiss.

Reality came rushing back in, nearly knocking me backward. I wrenched my blindfold off and blinked at the woman before me, the one whose eyes were a deep chocolate, not ice blue.

Vanity bit her swollen lower lip, then flicked her long golden locks over her shoulder, giving the crowd a slight curtsy that drove them into an uproar.

I glanced up, locking eyes with Adriana almost instantly. I expected to see her scorn, her disgust. The familiar look of annoyance at my public antics. There was none of that.

Her expression was impossible to read. No hint of fury or disappointment or anything else. It was as if she’d completely shut down.

A cold, dark feeling descended.

I took a step in her direction, propelled by our magical bond, and halted as Lust strode up to the dais, blocking my path.

He shoved the blindfold at me. “Finish the test, Gabriel. Everyone’s watching.”

My attention shifted to the rest of the room. All eyes were still fixed on me. Reporters, suitors, spectators—some already leaning in to whisper.

Now wasn’t the time to falter or cause a scene.

I didn’t look at Adriana as I snatched the blindfold. Instead of doing what I wanted, I gave the crowd a wolfish grin, and did what needed to be done for my court.