Page 1 of Queen of Ashes and Scars
Chapter1
Dead Blooms
ARIELLE
“Long live the Dark Queen,” Alec declares, the statement heavy with consequences.
He’s kneeling in front of me like his life is now mine to command, and my undead heart beats in my throat. The others-—Leo, Lucas, Jude, and Keenan—freeze at the news, and I clench a hand around the train of my dress.
The living room and balcony of the Pereira’s guest wing served as a dressing room for a wedding that will no longer take place. It’s big enough for all of us to fit in, but way too small for all the wild emotions running through my body.
The somber faces of my entourage riddle me with goosebumps. I came to this court to marry a man I now consider to be a vile, unworthy king, to become his queen—but I could never have imagined this. My family used to rule the world, but now… now I’m not sure I’ll survive the night.
Lucas shifts from one foot to the other, looking as uncomfortable as he did yesterday when he told me we werejustfriends. “Are you sure he’s dead? Sebastian isn’t exactly the most reliable witness.”
My ex best-friend looks brittle next to Jude. The discreet bodyguard is quiet and rooted to his spot next to the door leading to the corridor.
Alec’s golden-rimmed eyes narrow, his annoyance with Lucas obvious. “Yes, I’m sure.”
Swallowing back fresh, useless tears, I grip the ugly necklace my betrothed tried to enslave me with. It’s still stuck around my neck, and the news of my brother’s passing makes the snare feel heavier still.
“How did he die?” I ask.
Alec’s gaze dips to the ground. “Victor was murdered by a Zhaos’ assassin at the airfield. He was on his way to the wedding. Peter Chastain was with him and barely got out alive.”
Leo reaches for my hand, and I hold on tight, afraid I’ll sink if I don’t. His support keeps me from spinning out of control, the anxious pulse in my belly threatening to overwhelm my senses. Hunger itches at the back of my throat, my instincts to hold on to my first-blood and never let go, almost short-circuiting my rational brain.
If Pereira has his way, Leo will die tonight…
I can’t let that happen.
Keenan clears his throat loudly. The drop-dead-gorgeous, blue-eyed angel mercenary was hired by Pereira to kill Leo and keep tabs on me, but he turned over to our side—at least for now. He spins around to face the window, his apparent flair for the dramatics on full display. A white aura shines around him, and his chestnut curls sway to an unfelt wind as he gazes into the distance. “Your Majesty, we have maybe fifteen minutes before everyone in this mansion learns that yer brother is dead and that ye are the queen of the Delacroix’s empire. The Pereiras will not let ye leave. If they were enthusiastic about the wedding before, they’ll doanythingto make it happen now.”
“Hell,theymight have had your brother killed,” Alec adds with a sad pout.
The last hints of twilight color the top of the quiet mountains, the city lights now visible in the distance as Keenan turns back to face me, and my turmoil is swallowed by his thrall.
The peace rolling off him is more soothing than a mother’s embrace, and I squint at him, wondering just how much he can influence my mood. “What do you propose?”
“We have to get ye out, and quickly.” His simple white t-shirt and faded-blue jeans somehow enhance his god-like quality, and the foreboding in his voice scatters chills along my spine.
The tall, broad-shouldered angel might have switched sides, but I know so little about him still… The suspicion in my gut makes his crafted, cottony warmth fizzle out a bit. I can’t afford to check out and curl up in this stranger’s embrace, but it terrifies me to no end that his powers are strong enough to make me wonder just how sweet my life could be if I kept him by my side forever.
Alec nudges me back to reality, his hand brushing my waist. “First thing first. Let’s get you out of this dress.”
“Yes,please.” My stomach gives a big squeeze as he rips the white fabric off me, the corset underneath delicate enough to count as undergarments.
Alec presses his lips together, his eyes so dark that I wonder if he’s the same man I exchanged so many quips with last night. Over the last few weeks, I’ve grown increasingly familiar with the masculine angles of his jaw and the deadly shape of his shoulders, and yet I’m not sure I recognize him now.
He looks simply murderous, ready to burn down the entire world for his queen. “We will need to get out through the servant’s exit without being recognized,” he says quietly.
Lucas steps forward, bursting into the protective bubble created by Leo and Alec. “There’s a throng of caterers, blood-slaves, and the odd guest using the servants’ stairways to hop outside for a smoke. I think it can be done.”
“Jude. Get Bella, and ask her to come at once. Alone,” Alec orders.
The royal guard obeys and comes back less than a minute later with Bella in tow. My stylist raises an alarmed brow at my discarded dress. “What can I do for you, princess?” she asks without hesitation.
“We have to get our new queen out of here.” Alec points between the two of us. “You two should switch dresses.”
