Page 35 of Heavy is the Crown
“No,” Ava says, her body locked up as she clings to Shadow. True, uncontrolled fear rolls through her. The scent makes my dragon wake up and peer out through my eyes. “I won’t go back, and if you try to make me, you’ll be no better than Father was.”
Jackson, thankfully, manages to look embarrassed. “Father hid a lot from me. It wasn't until he died that I found out just how evil he was. Hence wishing I could thank the bastards inThe Order before I roast them alive. I didn’t know how life was for you.”
“Arcanna told you, I know she did,” Ava counters.
Real anger flashes over his face, but his eyes hold sadness for a moment, the silver reflecting like pools. “The fact remains, you are no longer safe here. The Order has resurfaced, and rumor has it they are in Gothic Grove.” He shifts his gaze to address me. “I can only assume they are looking for Ava.”
“We can keep her safe,” Shadow says with such possession in his voice, it shocks even me. I glance at Ava again and find her face is white, her eyes focused on a far-off place. It’s a look she had often in the early days at my penthouse, after Shadow brought her to me.
“And how do you propose to do that, dragon? You aren’t mated with her. She’s a sitting fucking duck,” he says to Shadow. Turning to Ava, he continues, “By your smell, I’d say one more use and you’ll die.”
I hold up my hand, halting the argument. “What is The Order?” I ask, actively ignoring the way his last statement made my stomach drop out and my heart stutter.
Ava lets out a long breath. “Its full name is The Order of Infernal Sin. They are a group of radicals that hate us, the royals. They feel the magic we hold would be better given to the people.”
Jackson snorts. “What they really mean is better given to them. But they also believe Hell should rule Gothic Grove.”
“How long have they been here, in the city?” I ask.
“A while. My contact found information that The Order has planted someone here to help bring the city down when the time comes. But they don’t know who this individual is.” He moves off the desk, his demeanor shifting to business as he walks toward the door that leads into the club. “You need to come home with me, Ava. At the very least, you need access to the magic. The priestesses can perform the ceremony for you.”
“No,” Shadow growls.
Hand on the doorknob, Jackson raises his eyebrows at Shadow, as if shocked someone would dare stand against him, but Ava steps forward, her back straight and eyes clear now. “I already said I won’t go.”
“Ava,” I start.
She whips her head toward me, anger and betrayal in her silver eyes. “I’m not going. It's my choice, and I won’t leave. Not yet.”
Jackson sighs heavily. “Ava, if they find you, they’ll take you. At best, they’ll kill you. At worst . . . you know what they’ll do.”
“I go, and I might as well die, Jackson. You know Mother won’t let me go once I’m back in Hell. I ran from that life for a reason; I have no intention of allowing it to swallow me back up,” Ava argues. “And if you take me against my will, you’ll have the Harbinger on your ass. And trust me when I say, you don’t want to meet Buttercup.”
I want to laugh at the look on Jackson's face, which goes from slight fear to utter confusion at the ridiculous name Ava gave one of the snakes. But even those of Hell know who the Harbinger is, what that magic can do. Hell got lucky during her rampage; she was stopped before she made it through their gates. King or not, Jackson isn’t dumb enough to try and go against that magic alongside us.
“I don’t think I want to know how you are close with the Harbinger,” he mutters.
Shadow clutches Ava’s hand, knuckles going white and eyes golden as he watches every move Jackson makes. The temperature in the room seems to be rising, and I know he has very little control over his dragon right now. One push, and he’ll lose it entirely.
I pinch the bridge of my nose. “This is getting out of hand.” I look at Jackson. “You’ve delivered your message; you can reachout to me to provide updates. If Ava wants to speak with you, she will reach out to you. But she won’t be going with you.”
He holds his hands up in mock surrender. “I won’t drag you back unwillingly, right now.” The implication hangs in the air as he turns to the door again. At some point, hewilldrag her back.
Before he leaves, he looks back at Ava, the worry evident on his face. “You’ll die, Ava,” he says quietly. “I know you're mad at me, and I’ll accept that. I was a shit older brother for not noticing how you were treated. But I don’t want you to die.”
She doesn’t say anything, just keeps those cool silver eyes locked solidly on Jackson’s form.
He looks first at Shadow, then at me. “I failed my sister once—don’t think that will happen again.” The threat is clear: if something happens to her, the king of Hell will come for us.
NINETEEN
A dragon, or wolf, that denies their mate will go mad. We are not meant to be alone in this world.
– Rosewood Family Journal
Shadow
(“Just Pretend” – Bad Omens)
