Page 30 of Scales and Seduction

A smirk of superiority plays on Avalon’s lips as her eyes assess me from head to toe. “Bullshit, I know she’s human. I have from the moment I met her, but how she got here is what’s truly interesting…” She pauses briefly, giving me no time to answer her before she changes her line of questioning. “So, what brought on this sudden epiphany to end our marriage arrangement?” She jerks her hand away from me with a glare.

“It’s not sudden,” I say firmly, but she interrupts my train of thought immediately.

With a cruel laugh, Avalan sneers, “Let me guess. You think this little human bitch is the one who will fix all your pathetic little broken pieces?” She leans closer, her voice a venomous whisper. “Do you think she’ll stay? Do you truly think everyone won’t tear her apart the moment it gets out, and trust me, everyone in that dining room will know what she is in an instant if I want.”

“You were the one who told me about the fated mate app, Avalon. You must have hoped one of us would find our mates to end this marriage. I had no idea she’d be the one to show up!” My tone remains steely. “You wanted this to happen, and I want to know who gave it to you.”

She studies me for a long moment before the moonlight catches the sharpness of her fangs. “You’re a fool,” she says, but her voice loses its edge. There’s something soft in her eyes, almost an understanding that flickers there. “It’s not real.Gideon, fated mates aren’t real, and I only told you about it to make fun of it together. I never intended on you using it, and now some weak human is in our realm because of something your imagination conjured.”

“Then why is my human mate sitting in that castle?” My voice rises. “Who told you about the app, Ava? I need to find out before things get out of hand.”

Avalon doesn’t respond for a while, turning her back to look out into the vast gardens. “I don’t remember how I found it. I download apps all the time to find easy lays when you’re uninterested.” She inhales a breath, whispering under her breath before turning back to face me. “If you’re so set on ruining your life because of this human, then who am I to stop you?” She sweeps past me toward the castle, and as she passes, she whispers, “I hope she’s worth it.”

As she leaves me, the breath I didn’t intend to hold rushes out of my mouth. My fingers grip the smooth stone of the balustrade as my mind races with what I should do next. I have to find that diary.

The room hums with low, murmured conversations. Most of them revolve around the upcoming wedding. The laughter is all on one side of the table where the parents of the betrothed couple sit happily. With Gideon excusing himself, I’m left alone, surrounded by unfamiliar faces.

I was never very great at lying. Even as a kid, I would turn tomato red or smile every time I tried to lie. My mom used to tell me that ulcers I got on my tongue from eating sour candy were there because I lied to her, and I’d always spill my deepest secrets right away, thinking it would magically cure them.

“You know, you smell so different than any halfling I’ve ever met.” Lord Calrim turns three of his eight eyes on me while he continues eye contact with Lady Katrina, who’s still blathering on about floral arrangements.

“Oh, thank you,” I say nervously. I have to think quickly. I know I must smell different than any of the creatures they’ve encountered—even with the magic, Silas said it wouldn’t mask it all. My heart races as I think of the first thing Avalon ever told me. “I recently got into pheromones.”

My hand flexes next to my thigh, digging my nails into my palm. I’m terrified my heritage will be revealed any minute. Iknow Silas’s magic should hide me, but if Avalon’s powers make her so receptive, then wouldn’t her parents be stronger than she is? What good will the magic even do?

“I see my Avalon enjoys using them as well.” Lord Calrim nods as if he’s celebrating the fact he remembered something about his own child. “Very nice. I quite wish I could get past the initial smell to enjoy them myself.”

I feel something tickling the top of my hand, rubbing a soft circle against my skin. Glancing down, I see Silas’s index finger, and once I glance up at him, he gives me a grin.You’re alright, sugar, just breathe. Nobody here is going to out you; they would lose the upper hand,his voice resonates inside my head as if he’s saying it out loud, but I know his mouth hasn’t moved. He’s using telepathy just like Noodles did. Perhaps it’s an animal creature thing?

Bending my head closer to Silas, I give him a soft smile, grateful for his help. “Thank you,” I whisper. The tension loosens slightly, but my pulse is still hammering in my ears. My mind drifts to Gideon. He’s been gone so long now, maybe I can find a bathroom, and while I’m there, we’ll run into one another. “Is there a restroom?” I whisper into Silas’s ear, hoping no one can hear.

“Down the hall to the left. A servant will likely find you,” he whispers through his teeth. “Go find Romeo.”

Excusing myself is easier than standing up in my skintight gown. It’s a nightmare to wear something like this and sit on the ground. How do people do this here?

The hallways of the castle are quiet. The distant hum of voices from the dining room fades away into the clicking of my heels against the stone floor. Silas was right: the moment I head too far from the dining room, the tiny pixie from earlier, Marcy, appears. She’s buzzing a few feet from the floor; her iridescentwings are various gem tones that shift in the chandeliers overhead.

“Miss?” She bows her head, though her eyes remain on mine. “Can’na help you find somethin’?” I hadn’t noticed it before, but her thick Scottish accent makes her even more charming to me now.

Heat creeps up my cheeks as embarrassment settles in. “Yes,” I whisper, nodding, “I’m looking for the restroom—and maybe somewhere to get some fresh air.” Glancing toward the dining room, I hope no one inside is close enough to overhear us.

Marcy points to a doorway that’s just off the main hall. “There it is, but if yer lookin’ for me lord, he’s out in tha garden.” She gives a small shrug, but the glint in her eyes suggests she knows the toilet is far from what I wanted. A tiny finger points to the left side of the hallway in the opposite direction of the study. “That’a way, miss.”

“Thank you,” I reply, giving Marcy an appreciative smile.

I follow the hallway to a large set of glass-paned doors with sheer curtains pulled backward from the door. My heart stops the moment I peer into the garden patio.

Ahead, Gideon stands in the shadows, his back to me with Avalon towering over him. Her delicate fingers brush down his chest, her expression fiercely possessive. She’s so close, too fucking close. Her mouth moves as she whispers something into his ear. The sight of it sends a pang through my chest, and a hollow ache forms there, making it hard to breathe.

I hurry down the hall, and before I know it, I’m inside the bathroom. My hands shake as I grip the edges of the porcelain sink, forcing myself to breathe. “Calm down,” I whisper unsteadily. “You know they have history.”

I square my shoulders, taking another deep breath as I lock eyes with my reflection. The jealousy flickering in my eyesfuels more frustration. It was just a simple chest touch. It isn’t anything to get my panties in a bunch over. None of it matters anyway; I have to go home. The moment the thought crosses my mind, a dull ache grows in my chest.

“Fuck it,” I say to myself in the mirror, seeing my eyes well with tears. Turning away from my reflection, I jerk the bathroom door open, pretending I’m unaffected. I’m faking it until I make it tonight: nothing bothers me. I’m eye candy to a prince. I’m not human, and I belong here. Right? It’s completely fake resolve.

As the door swings open and I step into the hall, I’m met by Avalon turning the corner. Her face is contorted, and she’s biting at her lip. “Hells!” she snarls as I nearly run into her legs.

She extends her front leg, pressing me backwards, and I feel myself shivering with disgust. Her hairy muscular spider leg is against my chest, my back pressed against the wall. “Watch where you’re going.” Avalon’s tone is cold, and I don’t miss the way all eight of her eyes roll with frustration.

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