The earnest way he said it, the way he reached for my hands and gripped them in his, it felt as if he were communicating so much more. I leaned toward him. “I—”
The double doors behind us burst open. Several demon maids rushed in, holding giant urns of black calla lilies and deep burgundy ranunculus. The soft, chiffonlike petals were some of my favorites. The maids rushed to the dais and artfully placed the urns, allowing the trumpet-shaped blossoms of the calla lilies and the burgundy ranunculus to cascade down the steps. Several more plants were brought in, though I couldn’t immediately place the small red berries of one.
“Oleander is an interesting choice, especially if you’re sending a message,” I said, then nodded toward the plant I hadn’t identified yet. “But what are those? I assume they’re also poisonous or lethal in some way.”
“Abrus precatorius.” Wrath’s tone hinted at amusement. “Rosary Pea. Vampires hate them. Not simply for their pious names, but because they can actually kill them. Some mortals figured it out, which is why you’ll often find them beaded onto rosaries. Though the jeweler must be extremely careful—one prick of the berry can cause death.”
“I thought vampires could only be killed with a stake?”
“A stake through the heart is lethal for most creatures, current company excluded.” Wrath gave me a sardonic look, knowing full well I was intimately aware a blade in the chest wouldn’t harm him. “Garlic is a nuisance, holy water does nothing from what I’ve gathered, but these berries?” He plucked one from a passing servant and pinched it between his thumb and forefinger. “These are one of the vampire’s most closely guarded secrets.”
“Your majesty!”
I turned at the familiar voice, pleased to see my friend Fauna hurrying into the throne room, looking resplendent in a deep copper gown with jewels sewn across the bodice. It felt like ages since I’d last seen her, though it had been only a couple of days.
Fauna had been my first friend in Wrath’s court, and while others seemed content to gossip about my arrival, she’d done her best to make me feel welcome. I don’t know how I would have gotten through those first few weeks without her friendship.
“Lady Emilia.” She offered a polite curtsy to me and dipped low for Wrath. “I’ve secured the necklace.”
She winked at me as she handed Wrath a rather large jewelry box. He lifted the lid to glance inside before closing it again. “Did you get something for yourself?”
“Yes, your majesty.” Fauna brushed her curly jet-black hair aside, showing off a choker that featured little red berries. The color looked lovely against her warm brown skin. “I offered one to Anir, but he declined.” Her sepia eyes twinkled. “But he did accept the necktie beaded with them. He’s dressing now and should arrive shortly.”
Wrath jerked his head in approval. “Make sure he looks like a courtier.”
“Of course.” Fauna curtsied again, then rushed from the room, her copper skirts swishing across the marble like whispering waves on the shore.
I nodded at the box. “May I see it?”
Wrath popped the lid open and lifted the necklace.
“Oh.” My breath caught from its beauty. And its true purpose. This was no simple adornment. It was a weapon. Strands of Rosary Pea berries alternated with rubies. The gemstones the deep red of blood. It was meant to entice. To draw the eye. And then to warn. The vampire emissary could look but not touch. Unless he wished to die. “Subtlety isn’t your strong suit.”
“Subtlety is for cowards, my lady.”
Wrath motioned for me to turn around, and he quickly fastened the jewelry around my neck. I faced him again, running my hands over the exquisite statement piece. The demon prince followed the path my hands traveled with his gaze, then continued lower as if he were seeing me for the first time and drinking in the full sight. A carnal look crossed his features. So primal and intense, I was tempted to see what sort of trouble we could get into on the throne.
“Do you like it?” I asked, knowing he more than liked it. I could almost see him calculating whether we had time to make my newest fantasy come true as he looked me over again.
My rose-gold gown hugged my curves, the color so pale and soft someone might forget the terrible magic sizzling under my skin. Might be lured in by the pale pink charred roses covering the top portion of my bodice that plunged a bit too low, might mistake the pale vines with thorns that accentuated my hips before fading into the fuller tulle skirts for pretty adornments, and not understand the warning they were. My gown was my magic in wearable form. I quite loved it.
Wrath looked like he wanted to shred if off and show his appreciation for it in a purely animalistic way. Thoughts of him sliding my skirts up to bury himself deep inside had my cheeks going rosy. Not in embarrassment, but want. I needed a fan. Or an ice bath.
“This gown might be one of the hexed objects we haven’t located yet.” His mouth kicked up at the edges. “It’s certainly got me spellbound. Though I think it’s just you, my lady.”
I glanced at my dress, fighting a grin. I adored when Wrath flirted with me. It was a welcome distraction, a bit of light to balance the dark.
A sharp knock drew our attention. Any hint of sensuality or lightheartedness vanished from Wrath’s face. In its place was the hard, unforgiving mask of the strongest prince of Hell. Here was the demon whose power was so overwhelming it altered the entire realm. “Enter.”
An older demon hurried in and bowed respectfully low. He wore a suit that reminded me of butlers in my favorite romance novels. “The emissary’s party just left the stables, your majesty.”
“Alert Anir and the others. I want them here now.” Wrath held his arm out to me, so formal and full of manners. “Come, my lady. Let’s prepare ourselves for our guests.”
“Unwelcome though they may be.”
“Indeed.” Wrath’s grin was wolfish.
I placed my hand in the crook of his arm, and we made our way to the thrones. Even feeling safe in our own House of Sin, nerves still had my pulse pounding. An unfortunate thing considering who we were about to entertain.
Wrath helped me up the stairs, then brought his lips to the shell of my ear, his warm breath causing a delightful shiver to dance along my spine. “Breathe. Or the emissary will walk in on me doing everything in my power to get your heart pounding for more pleasant reasons.”
To follow his seductive statement with action, he kissed the pulse point at my throat, his tongue flicking over it lightly as he scraped his teeth against my skin. His hands… those cursed, incredible things, drifted along the swell of my breasts, down my silhouette until he playfully squeezed my bottom, promising to do exactly what he’d said.