Page 12 of Foretold

“How many drinks have you had?” August asks, his eyes flashing with concern. He’s standing in front of me while I sit on one of the red stools in front of the bar.

“A few,” I admit, smiling up at him. “Don’t worry about me. You have some fun.”

The women here are so different from those around the Fae Kingdom. They show a little more skin in the way they dress and seem a lot freer, especially sexually, but what else would I expect of a kingdom ruled by those who need lust and sex?

This isn’t like the night at Beltane, dancing around the fire and fucking. It’s more seductive, scandalous even. The party culture here is so different from that in Aravelle. I feel like they do this every night without batting an eyelash. The women give the incubi what they need, and, in return, there is no judgment for having such desires.

Speaking of lust, even only being part succubus, I sense how invigorating it is—my skin is so alive, strumming with the magic. It feeds me, dancing over my skin. I could sit here all night and be perfectly content just from the energy.

August sits beside me, nursing his beer, his eyes on the dance floor. He’s wearing a blue silk shirt and trousers and looks incredibly handsome. I’ve seen some of the ladies eyeing him. I remember the conversation we had at one of the inns, with me suggesting he could go fuck someone if he pleases, and I see nothing has changed. He’s still sitting by me, holding himself back, and I don’t want him to. I’m in deep with my own mate and family issues, and I won’t drag him down with me. But I also don’t want a repeat of the conversation we had last time.

Instead, my eyes go to Bane standing in the corner, talking to a fae woman with short, dark hair. It takes me a second to realize who the woman is and that I know her.

Bane nods toward me, and Pandora turns around with a smileon her pretty face as she storms over.

“Princess Astrid, so we meet again,” the Witch Queen says, pulling me in for a hug, the sheer black material of her dress rubbing against my skin.

“What are you doing here?” I ask, surprised to see her.

Her eyes go to August, her smile widening. “Rave sent me. And who is this?”

“This is August,” I introduce, leaning back against the bar. “August, this is Queen Pandora.”

“Just Pandora, please.” His eyes widen when she waves away the title.

“Rave sent you?” I repeat, my brow furrowing.

She nods, wincing. “Yes, he told me where you were. But let’s not talk about that now. Let’s have a good night. And I’d like to know more about this sexy fae in front of me.”

August gives Pandora a slow once-over, and I can tell he likes what he sees. I slowly jump off the stool and make my way toward Bane, who is observing the crowd with a mostly full drink in his hand.

“Of course, you’re friends with the Witch Queen,” he says, shaking his head slightly. “What other royalty do you have up your sleeve?”

“That’s it, I think. Although one of the Vampire Princes has a soft spot for me after I saved his mate,” I reply, smiling as I take a sip of my beer.

I touch my temples as a vision hits me.

Rave and me, naked in bed together.

He pushes my hair off my sweaty face and kisses me.

“Don’t leave me again,” he murmurs, trailing his lips down my neck.

“Don’t lie to me again,” I reply, arching my back for him.

So what? I forgive him? Just like that?

Just because the future me has forgiven Rave and gotten backtogether with him doesn’t mean that’s what I’ve decided. I get to control my destiny, not fucking fate.

I’m suddenly angry and feeling a little impulsive.

Bane’s arm touches mine, and I know his eyes are on me. He opens his mouth to speak just as a woman walks up to him and places her hand on his chest, her long red nails a contrast against his black clothes.

"Bane, it’s been a long time since I’ve seen you around here,” she says in a baby voice that makes me wrinkle my nose.

Is nowhere safe for me to sit or stand?This is what happens when all of your friends and family are good-looking males.

Taking a step to the right, I’m about to walk off when Bane gently grabs my upper arm, stopping me. “And where do you think you’re going?”

---