Chapter 72 You're a waste
“Interesting how that never deterred my parents from claiming the Ascendant reward.”
I tilted an eyebrow.
“Or did my running away disqualify you from the bounty?”
Mom gasped.
One of the many benefits of giving your daughter out to the Hearthrown Alphas was wealth.
In exchange for a daughter’s life, the family received good fortune.
“How much more wealth did the Grunders get from selling me off?”
My tone was neutral, level volume. But Mom's jaw was still hanging.
Sweet Lys. I had never spoken to her this way.
I was just as surprised. Even at the height of that chaotic madness four years ago, I was not this confident.
However, I did not stop, I couldn't.
“Between sharing my bed with multiple men and the upcoming tournament, I have too much on my plate right now. Fentone is your problem. You just have to deal with him.”
I gave her a sympathetic smile, waiting for her storm of rage.
But when she said, “Lys,” It was with a patronizing tone, almost a whisper.
“You have to make this work.” Her eyes pleaded. “Breaking off this arrangement…the news will kill your Dad.”
I opened my mouth to speak, but she rushed forward and caught my arms.
“My sweet girl. I understand you’re scared. But never forget that you are a Bell as much as a Grunder. Your grandmother is one of the most powerful witches who have…”
I wrenched free from her.
“You’ll not drag Grandma into this. You don’t know them, you have no idea what I’ve seen.”
My shoulders quivered at the sudden flash of memory: our wedding under that odd tree, the prequel wedding in my dreams.
I had married them across alternate universes.
At this rate, beating the Ascendant ritual and getting out of that place alive would take an extremely narrow margin of luck.
Marrying Fentone as planned before the year is done? That was a fool's dream.
I turned for the door without another word, but ran right into Gianna outside.
She had been eavesdropping.
“It's hard to understand why good things keep falling into your lap when you’re such a waste.”
I wordlessly shut the door behind me.
“I mean,” she sneered in disgust, “What's the point of fucking such powerful creatures when you couldn't even break Lucia out of the silver cage?”
I blinked, confused.
Then I remembered. Finn compelled them to forget.
How naive. She really believed Lucia broke out on her own?
“Do us all a favor, Gianna.” I exhaled, exhausted. “Please marry Fentone.”
I walked around her as her cheeks turned red, and her eyelids fluttered rapidly.
That was a low blow. Fentone would not even choose her when I was a cripple, how much less when I was walking again.
Speak of the devil. I walked right into him as I stepped into the grand hall.
Our eyes met, and he tipped his head slightly. I returned his nod politely.
Any other woman would have been overjoyed to marry this man. He was the perfect cousin your parents always compared you to.
Excellent academic record, great job, polite manners, extremely handsome, and reserved.
He had no fault. None. But I felt nothing for him.
My lack of attraction had always been a puzzle, till this past week. After my exposure to those three men, I was beginning to realize that something was broken inside me.
I was not the typical rich-girl. The classy, reserved, old-money woman.
Fentone stirred no desire within me because he would never leave bite marks all over my skin.
He would never make my lover watch him fuck me and jerk off into my silk panties in complete humiliation.
He would never make me crawl towards him, naked, or pull my hair, and spank me till I had no tears left to cry.
He was a good, proper man. A man I did not deserve.
“Lys.” He stepped away from the open archway bordered by tall columns that supported the gallery above. “You look wonderful.”
His eyes trailed, taking in my outfit. How would he react if he knew the gods of California had helped me get dressed? The famous dragon made my hair and the wolf helped strap the corset of my dress with patient fingers.
“As do you,” I responded politely while he kissed the back of my hand. “That's a lovely shade of green. It complements your eyes.”
He had on a three-piece suit, in an alluring shade of emerald green that closely matched his eyes.
There was a wide grin on his face as he straightened up. Then he glanced away uncomfortably, cleared his throat, and swept his gaze back at me.
“That’s the nicest thing you have ever said to me, Lys.” He took my hand, placed it in the crook of his elbow, and steered us towards the Sitting Salon.
“You can’t be serious.” I gave him a playful smirk just as we walked into the ballroom-sized space.
The room had been designed with old-world aristocracy in mind, and right now, top leaders from every pack, coven and vampire court in all seven districts sat or stood in little groups.
I immediately spotted Hale seated on one of the curved armchairs in the central part of the room, blanketed by Dad and puppet-alpha.
They appeared to be in deep conversation, faces severe and leaning into each other. From the three towering arched windows behind them, I could see the dusk setting.
“I am,” Fentone said, pulling my attention back. “Lately, I was beginning to fear you hated me.”
I halted my steps, looking up to meet his gaze.
He noticed? I thought my warm politeness veiled my true sentiments.
“Only to just now realize you have noticed something as insignificant as my eye color all these years,” he prodded me gently to continue walking.
“Don't be silly.” I flashed him a genuine smile as we navigated through the indulgent scattering of ottoman stools, small settees and texture-layered cushions seating important leaders in the Salon.
They paused their conversations to nod and smile at him as we walked past them.
“Of course, I notice your eyes. And that thin ring of silver just around your iris.”
Fentone was beaming now, but my eyes strayed towards the arched windows again. Hale was suspiciously calm.
Right now, he was relaxed in his armchair, face tranquil and body at ease.
But I knew him well. It was impossible that he wasn't already chaffing at the sight of me and his mortal enemy’s son.
My eyes met Fentone’s again and I regretted my compliment. He looked extremely happy. It was counterproductive to fuel the hopes of a man I had no plans to marry anymore.
He bent over a chaise by the fireplace, fluffed the pillows enthusiastically and gestured for me to take a seat.
“I think we,” he sat beside me. “...we should spend more time together in the new year...”
“I would love to.” I cut him off. “But practice for the tournament takes up all my time. And the company has penciled in tours and acts in between.”
“Yes. I heard about your Korea trip.”
Bzzzz. The vibration thrummed in my ass.
I jerked my head to look at Hale at the other end of the room.
He stared back, calm and relaxed.
I glared, gritting my teeth. He quirked a confused eyebrow.
Dad and Alpha Rosamund turned around to look in my direction.
Night take me, I'll kill this man.
My thighs were spasming now, even though I crossed my leg, trying to act normal.
I could not think, clearly even see, and my palms were sweating between the vibration in my body and my attempt to act normal.
“Are you OK?” Fentone's voice came out concerned, but I could not even look at him.
His hand came up to my shoulder, and the vibration intensified.
I had to bite my lips.
“You don’t look OK.”
I bit back a sharp retort. And then it stopped.
I closed my eyes briefly, panting. Then I raised my head with a faint smile.
“I had a bit of a splitting headache. I’m sorry.”
“Oh, sweetheart. Do you need to lay down?” He was already rising to his feet when Gianna appeared.
“Her headache is sitting right across the room.” She stopped beside me, and placed a gentle hand on my shoulder.
“Are you sure the Mayor is just a friend?” She leaned close, pretending to whisper even though her voice carried like a microphone. “His eyes have not left you since you both got here.”
My heart stopped, the room blurring around me.
Fentone turned around with a frown, and stared at Hale.