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.