Throne of the Fallen

ALEXEI.” ENVY’S VOICE carried a magical summoning, alerting his second no matter where he was on the grounds that Envy needed him.

A moment later, the air stirred behind him.

“Your Highness?”

“Vittoria is on her way; I need this”—he motioned to the bodies of his fallen court members slumped throughout the corridor leading to his throne room—“taken care of before she arrives. No one can know the extent of our… problem.”

Envy finally turned, looking his second in the face. The vampire’s gaze was hard. Alexei had known the court was falling to the memory madness, had scented the blood behind closed doors well before the violence reached the corridors.

Lennox had many enemies; Envy only wished one would have taken him off the playing board centuries back. His second looked like he was considering doing just that.

Alexei could have returned to Malice Isle decades before. Envy knew he’d never admit it, but the vampire felt at home in these corridors. Had taken to the demon realm more than he’d ever taken to the politics of the vampire court. He wanted to see this game over too.

Wanted to rip the throats of their enemies out, bathing in their blood, making them pay for the suffering of the demons here.

“Of course,” Alexei finally said, twisting to the nearest body. His mouth had a grim set as he hauled the first body up.

Envy lifted another, his anger and hopelessness growing. These members of his court looked like they’d turned on each other. When you couldn’t remember anything, everyone wore an enemy’s face.

Together he and Alexei worked quickly, bringing the bodies to a chamber where they could be properly tended to later. Demons didn’t have religious practices like mortals, but there were sacred funeral rites observed by each House in the Seven Circles. Ways of honoring the fallen.

Once the corridor was cleared, Envy went to his bedchamber and changed into a fresh suit. Vittoria would scent death better than anyone else, given her true role as the goddess who ruled over it. He used more of his magic to cloak the scent. It was draining too much power, but he had no other choice.

Initially he’d only used his power to keep a select group of his guards and staff as clearheaded as possible, hoping they’d be able to take care of the rest of the court. Then Envy had had to ward his House. When he’d arrived tonight and seen the state of his court, he’d decided that no matter how much of a drain it caused, he needed to use his magic to stave off any more madness in his circle, as long as he could.

Now he was fueling too many demons with his personal store of power and barely keeping the memory fog at bay. He wasn’t siphoning enough magic back to replenish what he was using. And it was taking its toll.

Being weakened going into what he assumed was the final leg of the game was not ideal. He had to hope other players were just as ragged.

Alexei stood in the doorway, arms folded across his chest. “I don’t like this.”

“Lennox doesn’t design the game based on what we like.”

“We don’t even know if Vittoria has the next riddle or clue.”

Envy blew out a breath. He knew that, but he couldn’t risk not seeing if she did. “Do you have any better ideas?”

Alexei’s mouth pressed into a firm line.

Vittoria might not be the key to the next clue, but they were almost out of time.

“If you’re going to go through with it, then we’ll make it count. You need to siphon more of your sin tonight,” Alexei said, echoing his own worries. “You’ll never last to face off with Lennox if it comes down to it.”

They both knew it would. Lennox enjoyed lording over the winner, mostly to boast about his cleverness as game master.

“You won’t like it,” his second continued, “but Miss Antonius—”

“No.”

“I don’t mean stoking your jealousy.” Alexei smiled. “If Miss Antonius sees you with someone else, I’m sure she’ll provide a great deal of envy for you to siphon.”

Envy couldn’t argue. It was the best way for him to regain some of his power to continue funneling to his court. And yet…

“It’s our best hope,” Alexei said, more softly. “If Vittoria doesn’t have a clue, you’ll still have gained something from this meeting.”

Envy glanced toward the window. Somewhere on his grounds, Camilla was in his cottage. Part of him wanted to go back there, forget his reality for a few more delicious moments.

“Vittoria will be here any second. I can set up an opportunity for Camilla to happen upon you.” Alexei gave him a hard look. “Do what needs to be done.”

“You know Vittoria only wants to make my brother envious.”

“And?” Alexei challenged. “Are you suddenly taking the moral high ground? Now?”

Envy flicked imaginary lint off his lapel. Alexei was correct. He didn’t have to like it, but he needed to do whatever it took to keep his court standing. Camilla’s envy would give him enough power to fuel them all. He already knew from that taste in the woods.

They descended the stairs in silence, winding their way toward the throne room. Two guards stood on either side of the door.

“Once I call for the doors to close, no one is to enter,” Envy said, infusing a bit of magic into his command, ensuring that they remembered their orders. “Are we clear?”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Envy strode toward the dais; the damage from the fire had long since been cleared away, his throne untouched by the magical flames that had taken the life of one of his council members. Rhanes had been a wise voice for many years, had the respect of almost everyone. His loss was a great hit to the court. As were the lives of the other council members who’d fallen during that first clue.

Envy settled onto the plush cushion of his throne, the hunter-green velvet soft and decadent. It was strange, glancing around the empty chamber, once home to so many lords and ladies, all vying to be the envy of their peers. They’d wear their finest jewels and silks, draping themselves in a sea of riches, all artfully displayed because of their prince’s love of art.

Now there were only himself and Alexei in the great, cavernous chamber. The silence was oppressive. It felt as if the eyes of all his slain court were watching, wondering how far their prince would go to right this wrong.

Alexei climbed the dais as well and clapped Envy’s shoulder before he took up his place of honor as right hand to the prince, standing just behind and to the right of the throne.

They’d only just settled into their roles when Vittoria strolled in, eyes glowing, brunette hair flowing.

Envy motioned to the guards and they closed the doors, sealing Envy, Alexei, and Vittoria in. Alone, for now.

He swallowed the revulsion down, adopting that indolent mask.

“Vittoria.”

“Envy.”

“I didn’t expect you so soon.”

She gave him a long once-over. “I’ll always come for you.”

Alexei mumbled a low warning. Envy had apparently made some sound of disgust.

Vittoria’s gaze traveled over his second. “Alexei,” she said. “Always a pleasure.”

Innuendo dripped from her tone. The last time she’d seen the vampire, she’d been riding his cock in the corridor outside Envy’s bedchamber.

Her blush gown had clearly been chosen to provoke—split up both sides, it fluttered open as she walked to the throne. Two tiny scraps of silk looped from her waist over each shoulder, covering her breasts only in part. She looked like temptation and sin. Her two favorite things aside from death.

“As wonderful as it is to see you again so soon,” she said, pausing on the first step, “what do you want? I have werewolves to wrangle and a House to reestablish.”

To see your head on a pike outside my House, Envy thought.

He felt Alexei’s gaze boring into the back of his head, reminding him to set his personal feelings aside.

Camilla’s silver gaze flashed into his mind. He shut it down.

“Perhaps I simply was bored, dearly twin.”

Vittoria’s expression didn’t shift at the odd phrase. Maybe she wasn’t part of his game. Or maybe she would make it difficult for him.

“And?” She climbed up another step. Only two steps separated him from the Goddess of Death. “Are you finally ready to play?”

His gaze sharpened on her. It was impossible to tell whether she was hinting at the game or was simply baiting him.

“Is that your price?” he asked, steeling himself.

“If we’re negotiating, I want a sample first.” Victory flared in her eyes. “See what it’s worth to me.”

She ascended another step, then the final one.

“Any objections, Your Highness?”

Vittoria leaned over, slowly pushing his legs apart and settling herself between them.

Her palms flattened on his thighs, slowly stroking upward, her thumbs following the inner seam of his trousers, stopping just shy of his cock.

It didn’t so much as twitch.

Vittoria arched a brow. “Well, now. This is rather surprising.”

She raked her nails over the tops of his thighs next, attempting to spark some sensation. His cock had no intention of playing along with his scheme.

Envy wasn’t sure whether he felt like laughing or cursing.

Vittoria grew annoyed.

“Do we need to bring someone else in for our fun?” she demanded, attention flicking to Alexei. “Perhaps your second should join us.”

Alexei came around to the front of the throne, his expression cold. “Should I get the woman now?”

Vittoria’s head cocked to one side; then a wretched smile curved her lips. “No. Our little prince here is going to close his eyes. Think of this woman.”

Envy gritted his teeth but attempted to summon an image of Camilla, no matter how wrong it felt. He closed his eyes, closed out the throne room, recalled Camilla soaking in her bath earlier. How the water had caressed her curves, the steam mixing with her floral scent, her gaze sharp as he teased her.

He’d wanted to shuck off his clothes and step into the tub with her, drawing her onto his lap as he dampened a cloth and dragged it over every inch of her glorious skin, her nipples pebbling from the sensation, making his mouth water from the sight.

He jolted from his memory.

“There it is.”

Vittoria was licking her lips and rubbing his erection. She’d only gotten the first lace of his trousers undone when he softened. She glared at him.

“What seems to be the issue?”

He scrubbed a hand over his face.

“I don’t know,” he lied.

“Are you in love?” Vittoria asked, her tone dripping with accusation.

“Of course not.”

She pushed to her feet, her cheeks flushed with annoyance. “Your bedroom skills are legendary. Am I to believe the rumors are all false?”

“I’m tired. I have a lot on my mind,” he said. “And you know I don’t particularly like you.”

“And you’ve particularly liked everyone you’ve fucked before?”

He hadn’t, further complicating matters. He tossed his hands up, frustrated. “I’ll try again.”

Vittoria folded her arms across her chest, clearly annoyed. “What does this mystery woman look like? Glamour works wonders.”

Everything inside him seized at the thought. He did not want to fuck someone wearing Camilla’s face. When he took her to his bed, it would be her.

His mouth pressed into a firm line.

Alexei shook his head at his refusal to play along, answering for him.

“She has silver hair and eyes. Stands a little over five feet three inches tall. Gold skin. Full mouth, slightly upturned eyes.”

Vittoria flashed another crooked grin. She moved around to the back of his throne, leaning across his shoulder.

“Close your eyes, Prince Envy.”

Her hand shifted, slowly undoing the top button of his shirt. He hid his flinch. The last time she’d been near his chest, her taloned hand had punched through it.

She slowly licked down along the column of his throat.

He fought the urge to leap up and put distance between them.

“Let’s pretend your silver-haired beauty is here.” Vittoria’s skin brushed against his. “In your deepest, most secret fantasies, does she close those full lips around your thick length while you sit back on your throne?”

Her fingers trailed lower.

“Or does she bend over this armrest here”—she traced the spot where his hand curled over his throne, his grip tightening—“and let you take her from behind?”

Envy thought about what Alexei had suggested earlier. He didn’t need to actually have Vittoria in his bed to incite jealousy. He only needed to give the appearance that he was aroused by the Goddess of Death.

Vittoria continued whispering sinful tableaus in his ear, tempting him with thoughts of Camilla. He closed his eyes, imagining everything Vittoria said.

Slowly trailing his fingers up the back of Camilla’s legs, the slight swishing of silk as her skirts lifted off her body. Her bare skin, soft and welcoming. He’d draw her gown farther up, baring her as he slowly pushed her up against his throne.

He’d go to his knees, kissing his way up, his hands drifting over the curve of her bottom, then sliding around to hold her hips, and dip within, ensuring that she was wet and ready.

Vittoria had painted a vivid picture, her hands roaming down his chest. But Envy had stopped listening to her, thinking only of the woman in his fantasy, glancing back at him over her shoulder as he finally dragged his cock against her entrance.

Soft, throaty laughter sounded from behind him.

Envy had gotten so hard from the erotic image, from the look of impatience on Camilla’s face, as she pushed herself onto him.

He was so lost to the fantasy that he almost missed the commotion outside his throne room.