Page 16 of Bonded to the Fallen Shadow King

"Not happening.” I shook my head. "You’ll get what’s coming to you."

Ceana tilted back her head. "Oh?"

Immediately, the best way to get revenge popped into my head. Kaylen wanted to look picture-perfect and distinguished. There was something I could do to end all that tonight.

I dug my fingers into some dark blackberry cream. The mixture of warm custard made me want to taste it. I suspected it was delicious, and I hated to waste it. But I had a mission to complete.

I took a handful and launched it at Kaylen.

Her jaw dropped as it splattered across her dress, staining the silver fabric dark purple. The other girls froze, too stunned to react, and I saw the fury building in her eyes.

“You’ll regret that," she gritted out.

This time I didn’t have to force my smile. "You should see the look on your face. It’s priceless.”

The other girls were still frozen in shock. A fae who I hadn’t heard speak hid a smile behind her hand.

“Your death will be–” Kaylen started.

But I picked up another dessert with dark purple syrup that dripped through my fingers and flung it at her.

She ducked this time, and it hit the red-headed woman beside her.

Aelir snatched a cream-filled roll from the center of the table and launched it at the mean girls. It hit the table in front of them and made the cream and purple splatter over all three of them.

Then the entire banquet hall broke into laughter. Not the vicious, cruel laughter I’d heard since I got here, but real laughter.

Including mine.

"What in the—" Deallan started to say.

Before she could finish, Aelir grabbed another dessert, this time a cupcake covered in sparkly gold frosting. She didn’t hesitate and tossed it at Deallan. It hit Deallan’s shoulder, the frosting coating her honey-brown skin.

Not wanting Aelir to be the only one to have fun, I launched a fluffy cake at Deallan and caught her on the side of her head. She looked murderous, and her hand shot to a plate in front of her. She grabbed what looked like a handful of sweet-glazed chicken and aimed at me. I ducked, and it hit Rhielle.

"Feck!" Rhielle shouted and giggled. She reached for a glass pitcher filled with the dark blue juice I’d had a taste of earlier and chucked the whole thing in my direction.

The juice splashed over my head, soaking me. I had no time to react before she grabbed another dessert, aiming at Kaylen and the other girls.

It didn’t take long for the entire table to erupt. Aelir stuck close to my side and reached for a handful of what looked like whipped cream and threw it across the table at Deallan. It missed and hit a fae whose name I thought might be Myantha, and surprise shone in her eyes as the soft white frosting dripped down her golden hair.

I dodged a pie that sailed from Kaylen’s direction, and I snatched a plate of roasted meats and vegetables. The plate hit the table and shattered, sending chunks of everything in Kaylen’s direction. She was even more furious than before, which was the entire point.

More food flew through the air, and even though this was childish, it made a point. Everyone would fight.

My hand was buried in a dish of something creamy and bright green when the doors slammed open, and the room fell silent.

Vad stood in the doorway, his gray eyes fixed on me.

I froze. He was even taller and more commanding than I remembered. Everyone stopped as he crossed his arms and stared me down.

The food fight died, and I could feel the eyes of every girl in the room turn my way. Aelir shifted closer to me, and even Rhielle seemed unsure. But I was more hesitant than any of them.

"Having fun?" Vad’s face was a void.

The words were cold and meant to put me in my place, but they didn’t have the desired effect. I looked him dead in the eye and didn’t flinch. "Yes," I said.

He raised a brow, and I saw disbelief in his expression. Maybe I was imagining it. Maybe I wasn’t.

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