Throne of the Fallen

CAMILLA CLUTCHED ENVY’S arm, a thrill racing through her as he guided her down another corridor, blindfold snugly fitted over her eyes.

During breakfast, he’d casually mentioned he had a surprise, then sipped his coffee. Like he hadn’t just ignited her curiosity, set her mind whirling in a hundred directions.

When she’d pressed him for more information, he’d just given her a roguish wink.

Once their meal was finished, he pulled out the blindfold. Camilla’s thoughts turned to the night he’d used her robe’s sash to cover her eyes, then kissed her everywhere.

Her husband-to-be knew how to drive her mad in the best ways.

The hard muscles of his arm flexed as he steered her down another corridor, their pace unhurried, unlike her heartbeat.

At first, she’d tried to mentally follow their path, mapping out what section of House Envy he’d taken her to. But she quickly gave up when it seemed like they’d doubled back in some places and ventured down hallways she hadn’t explored yet.

“Are we close?” she asked, excitement lacing her tone.

She felt the smile in his voice when he answered.

“Almost.”

He was as excited as she was.

Envy had surprised her. In the weeks following the truth of who she was, a tender, romantic side emerged when they were alone together. Her fiancé wooed her often and with reckless abandon, as if he were making up for years of never permitting himself to have a soft side. Or maybe what he’d said was true—that Camilla made him want to do those things.

Gifts, walks in the garden, around the circle, all over the House, conversations about everything and nothing, lovemaking… Envy wanted to know her mind, body, and soul.

He still had his wicked side, which she loved equally. That side stirred her passions, fed her Fae nature unlike any other. Envy’s gaze still glittered dangerously, still owned all her senses. They fucked as often as they made love and their appetites for each other were relentless.

She wondered whether he was part Unseelie or simply insatiable. Whenever she desired him, he was ready for her, ready to do everything she wanted and more. And their games, those were as tempting and gloriously sinful as ever.

They finally stopped. Camilla strained to hear any sounds that would indicate where they were. After the court had regained their memories, the castle was usually filled with pleasant noise.

Silence stretched. Though, distantly, Camilla almost swore she heard a sound like faint, tinkling bells.

Envy’s lips brushed her ear and she shivered from the pleasant sensation.

“Ready?”

She bit her lip, then nodded.

Anticipation thickened the air, made her pulse pound harder. The damn demon was teasing the moment out, knowing she’d grow taut from the unknown.

Was he about to make love to her here? Was there a new gown? A new painting? A—

The blindfold fell away.

An enormous, arched silver door gleamed in front of them. Their reflections were distorted by the number of carvings on it. Runes.

Camilla’s gaze swept over the door, above and around it; wisteria vines had been carved, so lifelike she would have thought they were real if it hadn’t been for the silver.

Her attention snagged on the one part that wasn’t solid silver—an emerald lock, shaped like a heart. She stepped forward, brushing her hand along the door.

The humming, bell-like sound intensified.

“It’s gorgeous,” she said. “Where does it go?”

When Envy didn’t respond, she turned to him.

He held a gold key, also heart-shaped, with a tiny emerald that matched the lock. Her breath caught. It was her father’s key. The Silverthorne Key.

“You took it,” she whispered.

“I wanted to keep it away from the Wild Court,” he said. “But I wanted to hold on to it in case you wished to use it.”

She blinked the stinging from her eyes. He’d planned this before he knew she’d agree to come with him. Had hoped she would.

Envy pulled her into his arms and kissed the top of her head, holding her while she cried. When she quieted, he pressed one last kiss to her head, then stepped back, holding the key up for her to take.

“Feeling adventurous, pet?”

She stuck the key in the lock and twisted. The silver melted, revealing a long, narrow corridor. Camilla knew exactly where this led. It wasn’t Silverthorne Lane. It was much better.

She grabbed Envy’s hand and hurried into the tunnel, wondering how he’d managed such a thing. They emerged in her father’s studio.

She heaved a contented sigh. Everything was just as she’d left it. Only a month or two had passed since she’d been there, but it felt like everything had changed inside her.

She donned a glamour, not as good as her mother’s but one that allowed her to pass as human, and went to her home.

After speaking with her house staff and assuring them that all was well, Camilla pulled Envy into her bedchamber, then wrapped her arms around him, kissing him deeply until they were both breathless.

“Thank you,” she murmured against his lips. “This is the best gift in the world.”

Envy traced the curve of her face, tucked a strand of silver hair behind her ears, then kissed her nose.

“Your gallery, your memories of your mortal father—I know how important this city is to you. I don’t want you to sacrifice anything to stay at House Envy.”

He glanced around, his gaze pausing on the bed, then the door to the bathing chamber.

“Now we can spend the day here and come home at night.”

“You’re going to come back to Waverly Green too?”

He smiled. “As often as I can.”

“What if I’d like to spend the night here?” she asked, tugging at his lapels.

Envy allowed her to lead him to the bed.

In a move too swift for a human to detect, he had her pinned beneath him, his body hard and ready.

“I’m sure we can find something tempting about that.”

She smiled, unlacing his trousers. “I’m sure we can.”

When he pushed inside and began those deep, rhythmic thrusts that made her body lose all control, Camilla felt as if they’d truly won it all.