Throne of Secrets (Prince of Sin #2)

Fifty Adriana

T HE NEXT CARRIAGE rolled to a stop in the courtyard, the trumpets blaring loudly in welcome. It was black and gold, indicating House Wrath had arrived.

“Will they do that each blasted time?” I muttered to myself, pushing off the windowsill I’d been perched against. My nerves were getting the best of me.

As was Sophie’s constant stream of admonishments.

Every hour on the hour she paced through our suite, reminding me that I was a fool. If I didn’t rip my hair out by the end of the evening it would truly be a miracle.

From her endless ranting, I discovered that her maid had informed her that Axton had returned hours ago and he still hadn’t deigned to come see me or even send a note.

That more than anything else stung. I had no idea if he’d successfully subdued Silvanus and the dragons, or about anything else that happened in the north.

He’d simply sent me a royal invitation for tonight’s event an hour ago, along with Eden’s, and that was that.

We were supposed to be a team and I felt like I was once again tossed to the sidelines, watching him make up the rules of play as he went. I’d been doing my part to keep the castle and gossips focused on me, and he couldn’t even be bothered to see if I was all right.

I positively hated surprises. And without hearing from the prince directly, I had no idea what role I should play when entering the event. As far as I knew, the competition was still on.

Sophie certainly would have reported if she’d heard otherwise.

After everything we’d been through, I couldn’t fathom how he would think leaving me in the dark while danger loomed and while I was keeping his secrets was a good idea.

He truly must not take me seriously as a partner or equal.

And that was one quality in a romantic interest I would not abide.

My opinion was valuable, and at the very least, I deserved to know I could trust he’d confide his plans with me before being heavy-handed and enacting them on his own, assuming I’d simply go along with whatever he’d decided.

He clearly hadn’t learned from his previous error, when he’d had me fired from the Wicked Daily because he’d seen fit to offer me an obscene salary and tried to force me into being his personal reporter. As if my fate was his to dictate and not my own.

I couldn’t believe I’d fallen for his confession.

I have hungered for you in ways you cannot comprehend.

Apparently not. Though he was correct on one count: I couldn’t comprehend how he could say something so passionate one hour, beg for me to join his cause, then forget I existed the very next, once I’d done his bidding.

By now Eden knew of our indiscretion and she’d pretended otherwise. Though I had barely seen or spoken to her once she’d discovered the truth.

I wasn’t sure if that was by her design or simply coincidence.

She had her own secrets, and no matter what, I would never reveal that she had someone she was privately courting, too.

“You need to finish getting dressed. You’re expected downstairs with your sister soon,” Sophie said from the door, startling me. “A footman will be waiting for you in a few moments.”

“I’ll be down shortly.”

She looked me over critically. “Don’t be late. The last thing we need is to cause another scene tonight.”

With that lovely little speech, she left.

I glanced at the gown sparkling from its velvet hanger, its silver skirts trailing along the floor, the diamonds and aquamarines sewn across the bottom glinting like freshly fallen snow.

The dress looked like it was taken straight from the pages of the most decadent romance.

Too bad it felt like I’d be wearing it to my own social funeral. Or perhaps it was the death of my dignity, seeing as I was forced to show up alone and face his snickering court on my own.

The scandal sheets would be watching my every reaction, hoping for a hint of drama to report. Perhaps I could pry some of the jewels off the gown and pay for their silence.

It was wishful thinking.

Whether it was fear or bad milk, my stomach twisted into knots as the hour chimed eleven. It was almost time to face the world post-scandal. I would do so with my head held high, even if I wished to dry heave into a bucket.

There was no hiding from the rumors about me and the prince. Tonight, I would be on display for the whole realm, and either Axton would hold up his end of the bargain, or he wouldn’t. There really was only one way to find out.

I’d been hoping to see Carlo one last time; his makeup and styling always made me feel like I was dressed in armor. But a lovely maid entered and helped me into the dress, adjusting my hair and painting my lips a pretty shade of pale pink. I slipped my crystal shoes on.

I looked myself over in the mirror one last time. It was incredible that outwardly I could look so serene while inside I felt turbulent. I allowed myself a moment to breathe.

“Oh, we forgot the most important adornment, miss.”

My maid rushed over to a little box and flipped it open. An aquamarine and diamond tiara was placed on my head, the pale blue gemstones looking splendid with my hair.

I stared at my reflection. No one would guess my insides were thrashing with worry. Over dragons, the prince, my tattered reputation. I looked ready for court battle.

When the knock came at the outer door, I was ready for whatever happened next.

I strode into the corridor, smiling at the footman. “Lead the way.”

My heart was in danger of beating itself straight out of my body as I stood at the top of the stairs overlooking the ballroom. Axton had once again fed his sin by overindulging. Or maybe he was a secret romantic. The room had been transformed into a garden, a replica of the one found here, in fact. It was the place our story began before everything went horribly wrong.

My gaze skimmed over the crowd, some already dancing across the floor. Some mingling near towers of food and pastries. A waterfall of sparkling wine flutes dazzled as demonberry wine flowed like a stream into the waiting glasses. It was beautiful.

On a dais Eden and Vanity clinked glasses with the prince, laughing at whatever he’d just whispered to them. I drew up short. I hadn’t expected to see his suitors gathered around him.

It was all so… familiar. Him shamelessly flirting with anyone who’d give him attention, me lingering in the shadows. All while everyone ate up the sugary charm he served on that royal platter, never seeing him for what he truly was. My stepmother and Ryleigh were right: Axton wouldn’t ever change. A pain began in my chest.

Suddenly, I wasn’t sure I could go through with this. Whatever he’d planned, it didn’t look like it included me. Before anyone noticed my arrival, I turned to leave.

My exit was thwarted when the herald stamped his staff on the marble floor, drawing all eyes upward as he called out my name.

“Miss Adriana Saint Lucent.”

I twisted back around, swallowing the lump in my throat.

Silence fell on the crowd. It looked like a witch had cast a spell, freezing everyone in place. Except for the prince. He drank me in as if he and I were the only two in the room.

A familiar ember sparked to life deep within me before I stamped it out.

Cursed rake. I needed a few moments to gather my thoughts, far from his stupor-inducing charm. I wasn’t sure it would be a good idea to talk now with so many witnesses, but he was once again taking that choice from me. If I left now, the gossips would go wild.

I set my jaw and began my descent into the social hells, holding my skirts in my fist like they were wrapped around Axton’s neck.

I prayed to every god there was that I didn’t trip on my gown and go sprawling to the floor. I could not begin to imagine how I’d survive that level of embarrassment.

Blessedly, I reached the bottom of the staircase without incident.

Axton was suddenly there waiting, his arm held up for me, looking like the perfect image of royal manners. He didn’t have any idea I was upset. In his world, all was blissfully well.

With all eyes still burning into me, I dropped a polite curtsy.

“Your Highness.”

I stood and began to move past him, pleased I hadn’t made a scene. Public murder of a monarch would be rather hard to talk my way out of, especially with so many witnesses.

Axton must have been hitting the bottle before I arrived. The prince mirrored my movement, blocking my path. I drew in a steadying breath.

Now really wasn’t the time for this discussion.

I would not commit regicide. I would not accidentally jerk my knee upward and remove the possibility of him procreating.

I would definitely make a sacrifice to the old gods if I didn’t succumb to either urge.

Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed nobles leaning in to whisper to one another.

Wonderful. Thanks to the prince, I hadn’t gone two minutes without drawing their scorn.

“What, exactly, are you doing?” I asked, keeping a polite smile in place. “You’re causing a scene. And I should like to have a few minutes to collect myself.”

He gave me the sort of devastating grin that felled even the worthiest opponent. Too bad I was completely immune to his charm. I stared coldly until the smile slipped from his face.

“Are you quite well?” he asked, looking me over more carefully.

If surviving a scandal, a broken heart, and public scorn was considered well, then I was positively peachy. “Would you mind moving? I really do need some air.”

A spark of challenge ignited in his gaze.

“I would mind very much. Since I’m asking you to dance with me.”

“I’m sure your suitors will occupy all your time.”

He moved closer, either unaware or uncaring that the crowd had seemed to step in as well. “We had a plan, remember?”

“Did we? I can’t seem to recall any details of how we’re to proceed tonight. Oh”—I gave him the sort of smile that was anything but friendly—“perhaps it has something to do with the fact that you didn’t bother to consult me.”

“You’re mad.”

“Upset.”

He tilted my face up, and for one fleeting moment, I thought he would kiss me right there in front of his whole court. He dragged a thumb across my lower lip, then set those multicolored eyes on mine as I put distance between us.

“I would have come to you earlier, but I was delayed.”

“I took the brunt of the scandal while you rode out to save the day. The least I deserve is to know if you succeeded.”

He understood what I was asking. “I was successful in one way. We found an interesting connection regarding a note written long ago.”

The Hexed Quill. He’d found a lead on it. And he hadn’t bothered informing me of such a huge break in the case. If I’d been upset a moment ago, I was furious now.

“If you didn’t have five minutes to spare to write to me yourself, you could have dictated a note and sent a missive.”

“You’re right,” he said simply. “I could have and should have done so. I had much on my mind and suitors to send home.”

I glanced at the dais where Eden and Vanity lingered. “Apparently, not all the suitors.”

His mouth quirked up on one side. “Stay clear of Envy tonight, or he’ll try to tempt you to his House of Sin.”

“I am not jealous, you ass. I’m annoyed. You haven’t even apologized.”

“Forgive me.” He bowed low over my hand, then brushed a chaste kiss to it. “Save a dance for me before midnight. I promise you won’t be disappointed.”