Page 39 of Foretold

I hope I don’t regret it.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

Astrid

Another drop off to the incubus castle gates, like a child being handed over between divorced parents.

“If you need me—”

“You’ll be here, I know, Rave,” I reply, my lip twitching in amusement. I press up on my tiptoes and give him a quick kiss, one that turns longer as he keeps his hands on my hips, not wanting to let me go.

“Don’t go anywhere alone,” he demands, his jaw tightening. “I don’t trust anyone here after last time. If anything happens to you—”

“I’ll be fine,” I promise, stepping away from him and walking through the iron gates. “I’ll see you tomorrow.” I feel his sadness and worry through the bond as he watches me walk away, his shadows caressing my arms in a final goodbye. August walks down the stairs toward me, smiling widely. He’s wearing his royal guard uniform, the blue and white complimenting his tan skin.

“Look at you,” I beam, wrapping my arms around him tightly. “This is the fanciest I’ve ever seen you, August.”

He grins proudly, his smile dropping slightly as he looks behind me, where Rave is staring daggers at him. “Come on, let’s go. We’ve been waiting for you all day.”

I turn to wave to Rave, but he’s already gone, vanishing into a dark cloud of smoke.

August leads me inside through the wide entrance, candles lit on either side as we walk down the brick hallway and into the large dining room, where dinner is being served on a long table. Bane is sitting there with his elbows on the table, darkeyes narrowed as he listens to something my father is telling him. He’s to the king’s right, with Axe on the other side and Kai next to him. Sometimes, I wonder if Bane is Zython’s favorite. They all look up at the same time, all four of them smiling. Bane stands and slides the chair out next to him, smoothing his black tunic while waiting for me to take my seat, his dark eyes on me.

“Here she is,” Zython croons, smiling up at me. “And looking beautiful as ever. What amazing genes I have.”

“You are a very modest man.” I grin, smiling at Bane before sitting. “How are you all? What have I missed?”

“Nothing much,” Kai replies, smirking. “Just the usual drinking and debauchery. Such is the life of a creature of lust.”

Axe slaps the back of his head. His brown hair is tied at his nape in his usual leather band, showing off his sharp cheekbones and strong jaw. “You aren’t meant to tell her the truth.”

“I think she knows what we’re all like by now,” Kai replies, his eyes darting to Bane. “Except for this one. He’s quite the mystery these days.”

“Besides his rope fetish—”

“That’s enough,” Bane growls, his eyes flashing amber.

My eyes widen. Rope fetish? He likes tying up his women? My mind roams back to when Rave tied my wrists with his belt and later pinned me down with his shadows.

Yeah, I can see why he’d like that.

Zython clears his throat and stands. “If you’ll excuse me, Princess, I have a council meeting I have to attend. I’d love to have lunch with you tomorrow, if you’re free?”

I nod. “That sounds lovely.”

He kisses the top of my head as he passes me, and we all watch him leave before turning back to each other.

“Pandora was here,” Axe smirks, eyes darting to August. “You just missed her.”

“Why did she leave so soon?” I ask, reaching out to grab somegrapes from the platter on the table.

“She and August had an argument,” Kai answers, telling me the gossip.

I arch my brow at August, but he says nothing, a muscle in his jaw working. If he wants to tell me about his love life, he will. Reaching out, I touch his arm, silently reminding him that I’m always here for him if he needs me. The tension in his shoulders lessens a bit. “Come on, it’s your birthday tomorrow. We should be celebrating.”

“Yeah, and if the witch doesn’t want to fuck you, we can find someone else. You’re a member of the royal guard now, and can have your pick of women.” Kai smirks, looking toward Axe. “Time to bring out the pixie bottle, brother.”

It’s so weird to hear about August having casual sex because he used to never be like that. But I guess we’ve all changed.

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