Page 43 of Seduce

“Gods, don’t start with that shit,” Silla grumbles. The entire time she’s been in the store, she’s stayed in character, since the Queen is notorious for not swearing.

“It’s just so easy,” I laugh, letting her into the car first so I can sit in the middle.

The rest of the ride is smooth, with no one mistaking Silla as the Queen. The guys had quite the laugh over lunch once we told them too.

I’d do anything to keep Silla with us forever, and I plan to.

Eleven

SILLA

Life feels as if it’s on flash forward the last two days. Grayson was worried that the royal mixup would get back to Cinder, but as Isaac predicted, no one breathed a word about it to anyone. He checked the tabloids constantly just to make sure.

Otherwise, things have been busy and quiet. Isaac and I have been pulling up more dirt on people who need to be removed from office. The plan is to release it to the public at some point so that they’ll have to abdicate. The guards, however, will all need to be fired and stripped of their privileges. That’ll be a little more tricky, but Isaac thinks the Underground may be able to help us with the logistics on this. This is all a bit preemptive, because my step-sister is still an evil queen.

The six of us are relaxing finally after a productive day, and I’m drinking my first fruity alcoholic drink of my life. I’ve snuck champagne here and there, but I don’t really think that counts. I never really enjoyed the taste.

Andrya mixed me something called a Leg Spreader, and handed it to me with a wink. After one more restorative bath last night, I finally don’t feel sore anymore. I don’t know if I’m quite ready to spread my legs for anyone, but it’s possible after this drink. It’s strong, but delicious.

“What if you became queen?” Grayson blurts all of a sudden, glancing up from his scotch. He’s been staring at the amber liquid for a while, and I thought he was just lost in his thoughts, not planning mutiny and treason.

“I… pardon?” I gasp. “Do you think I’d even be any better at it than Cinder?”

The chorus of “yes,” is resounding.

“Okay, then,” I mutter, taking a sip. “No one would believe that I’m the queen. Lana, for example, lives and breathes my step-sister, and anyone who spends much time around her wouldn’t believe it. We sound incredibly different, especially now that my voice is ruined.”

“Nothing ruined about you, Little Hacker,” Isaac admonishes. “We all have our scars from our time in the dungeons that can’t be hidden.”

“Do you?” I ask harshly. “You’re all perfect. Outside of our shared emotional damage, I’d never guess.”

Maybe I shouldn’t drink. Leaning forward, I put the glass on the coffee table.

“I’m sorry.” I sigh. “Apparently I’m not very good company right now.”

“Don’t do that,” Sidney grunts, standing. “The Queen had the word “traitor” branded on our bodies. Everyone of us, including Andrya. Cinder wanted us to always remember what we did.”

My eyes go wild, glancing at each one in turn. Andrya’s eyes drop in shame when my gaze meets hers.

“Really?! I… oh my gods, I’m so—”

“Finish that sentence, and I’ll spank your ass red,” Grayson growls. It’s really weird, because any other time I’d cower from his words after all of the abuse I’ve taken from others, but I can feel my pussy begin to get wet. Damn, I must be really fucked up for that, right?

“It only happened because of me,” I begin again.

“No,” Sidney grunts, and I swear this man is becoming a caveman right before my eyes. Growly fuckers, the lot of them. Grabbing the back of his shirt, he pulls it off, and then starts pushing down his joggers.

“What…?” I can’t even talk, because this man is always gorgeous. I can’t process why he’s stripping for me right now though. I’m so dumbfounded as the twins, Grayson, and Isaac all stand with heavy sighs and do the same.

Turning in their various states of undress, they turn in unison to show me their backs, hip, thigh. There’s a beautiful phoenix tattoo placed there as it rises from the ashes.

“Come here, Silla,” Ayden says gently, his voice drawing me to him. Taking my hand, he places it on the beautiful tattoo. I can feel slightly raised lines, but it’s so well healed, I can barely tell. Sidney really is incredibly talented at phytotherapy. Tracing the words with my finger, I make out the letters T-R-A-I-T-O-R.

Tears prick my eyes as I lay my hand flat on his skin. The tattoo covers most of his hip, and he pushed down his boxers so I could see it. I never noticed it before, because they’ve always been careful to be clothed around me, and at least wear boxers or enough that covers it. Grayson’s is across the back of his thigh, while Isaac’s is along his back. Andrya’s tattoo is along her hip, making me wonder why they’re in different places. Instead of harsh colors, all of the ink for each of them is done in watercolors and is stunning.

“I won’t apologize again because it’ll be insulting,” I rasp, my voice thick with tears. “I just don’t understand why she branded you and not me.”

“Cinder seems to be obsessed with not allowing your skin to scar,” Andrya says gently, fixing her clothes. “You don’t have one mark, and I think it’s because of her obsession with you.”

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