Chapter 11

The dress rustled as it dragged on the floor with each of my steps. It was pretty, to be sure, but it didn't feel like me. It was too prissy, too fluffy, too much. I much preferred my vest and pants over this.

Avalon stopped and spun around to face me. "Lift your dress."

"Pardon me?" I took a step back.

"Your skirts, lift them now." He crossed his arms and looked down at my feet.

"Umm, no. I'm not lifting anything on command, vice." I pressed my hands over the dress as if to hold it down.

He sighed and rolled his eyes. With the flick of his wrist, a gust of wind shot down the hallway and right up my legs. My dress blew up as though I were Marilyn Monroe standing on top of a subway grate. The dress flew up my legs, and I stopped it from going higher than my hips. Just as fast as the wind had come, it left. I shoved the stupid thing back into place.

Overbearing asshole. "Anyone ever tell you you're a dick?"

"Dirt covered boots, Lily? You were provided with fine slippers."

"So?" I crossed my arms. "These are better."

"We don't have time for you to change." He shook his head.

"I'm not gonna change." I'd been pulled, pushed, and shoved from the moment I'd gotten here. Not one thing had been of my choosing, and now that I was learning, things were going to get much more difficult for Avalon and company. "How'd you know anyways?"

"Heels make a certain sound on the stone." He turned away from me again, leading the way. At the end of the hall, we went down another set of stairs and more long hallways. There were so many doors I lost count. The place was like a maze of dark stone and no style. We went down another set of stairs, and I think we ended up on the other side of the castle, standing in front of two carved double doors.

Avalon turned to look me up and down. Seeming okay with what he saw, he waved his hand and wind whipped from behind us toward the doors. They were made of dark stone and looked incredibly heavy, yet his power just made them fly wide open. He motioned for me to enter. When I hesitated, he wrapped his hand around my upper arm and pulled me into the room. He pushed me out in front of him, and I felt all eyes swing toward me.

The room was huge, with high ceilings and windows that ran nearly the whole length of the walls. They too were covered in thin layers of crystal that looked like wavy glass. The sun had started to set outside, and it sent rays of light through the crystals, creating dark rainbows across the room. There was a long table in the center of the room, and King Dacio sat at the head of it. The rest of the high-back chairs were taken by women of all different backgrounds. Each one was adorned in a ball gown that varied in all shapes and colors. There was one empty chair at the table, and deep down I knew it was for me. Yet I found myself frozen. What the hell was happening? Why was I here? And why did I get the feeling I really didn't want to know?

Avalon walked over to the lone chair and pulled it out. "Sit."

It was one word, said with all the authority and annoyance in the world. I arched my eyebrows at him and crossed my arms. "Ask me nicely, vice."

His head snapped up, and his eyes bore into mine. "Pardon."

"Ask. Me. Nicely." I enunciated each word and put my hands on my hips.

Avalon stood straight and ground his teeth together. Green smoke seeped from his body and swirled around him in a slow build. He narrowed his eyes at me, and his lips remained pressed into a hardline. The other occupants at the table all stared at the two of us in utter fascination. Some of the women fought not to smirk. Others sat there with their mouths open in shock. King Dacio grabbed a crystal goblet from in front of him and leaned back in his chair.

He swirled it around with a bemused look on his face, then raised the crystal goblet in my direction. "Won't you please join us, Lily?"

I wanted to correct him and tell him my name was Morgana, but when I left here, I didn't want them to ever find me again. I trusted nothing and no one in this place. But I would play nice until it was my time to escape. "Thank you, Your Highness."

I stepped forward and took the chair. Avalon stormed away, leaving me sitting at that table with Dacio and the ladies. There were seven of us total, and as I looked around, I realized that each of these women was strikingly beautiful. Across from me was a woman with dark, wild hair. It was braided tight to her head in perfect rows up to her crown, then the braids were loose to let her wild curls stand on end. Her skin was dark and smooth with silvery sparkles on her cheeks that looked like snowflakes. Her dress was long and white with a thick fur collar. She had perfect full lips and high cheekbones. She studied me closely with her dark eyes. I couldn't help but think there was something familiar about her.

Dacio cleared his throat, drawing my attention away from the girl and toward him. "As most of you know, you are all here for a very special occasion for Isramorta."

I raised my hand. "Excuse me, what is Isramorta?"

Dacio sighed and closed his eyes for a moment, seeming to search for the patience to deal with my question. "Isramorta is what we call the demon lands. It is made up of four clans. It's our home now and yours."

I nodded as though this made perfect sense to me. He glanced away from me to look at the others. "For the next two weeks, we will all get to know each other, and at the end of those two weeks, I will select the future queen of Isramorta."

The reactions around the table were varied. Some of the women smiled and nodded at the prospect of being queen. Others seemed more resigned to the task at hand. My reaction was an immediate hell no. I wouldn't be marrying a stranger, King or not. Dacio was handsome, powerful, and striking, but deep down there was something about him that I didn't like nor trust. I wouldn't be here in two weeks, so I didn't have to jump up and declare myself out of this little bachelorette show thing he had going on.

He took a sip of his drink and continued on, "That said, an heir will be expected promptly." He smiled to himself like he was talking about having kids with a life-long love. "I'd like a few, if I may be so bold."

The other women around the table all chuckled and gave light smiles. But he was sitting there straight up talking about picking the top baby maker. EW. What was this? A competition to pick the best breeder?

When he rose to his feet, everyone else jumped to theirs. I followed suit with the others. He lifted his glass as though to cheers us. "Let the games begin."

If any of us had a glass, I'm sure we'd have been expected to do the same. Instead, we all stood in silence, waiting for something. At the back of the room, a door leading to another much larger room flew open. Dacio motioned toward it. "Now, please feel free to mingle about and enjoy refreshments."

At the word refreshments, my stomach tightened and growled. The last refreshment I had was the drink at the nightclub in Vegas. My mouth was suddenly dry, and pain shot through my stomach. I glanced at the others, and when they started to move toward the other room, I tried to slow my steps to blend in with them and not dive straight for the food. Tables were spread around the room, each with different kinds of dishes on them. It reminded me of a cocktail hour at weddings where every table had a different themed menu. Where was the pasta station when you needed one? Guards were spread throughout the room, standing next to each of the doors. I spotted Avalon among them. His eyes lingered over my every move.

I expected this to be some kind of ball where we got to meet more people from the Slate Clan, but it looked like only the contestants were invited to this little party, which made it kind of lame. One eligible bachelor and seven women vying for his attention. It was the worst kind of trashy TV show possible. I made my way over to what looked like a huge punch bowl with some kind of purple liquid in it. Three other contestants stood around it, holding half-full glasses.

When I approached, the one at the center spoke to me first. She was tall and slim with dark-blue hair and matching blue eyes. Tiny scales highlighted her cheeks and down the side of her neck. Her hair was loose around her shoulders and fell in damp curls. She wore a sarong type skirt that looked like long strips of seaweed carefully pieced together to make a long, alluring skirt with a high slit in the side. More of that green seaweed-like material gathered around her breasts like a tube top, leaving her arms and midriff bare. A puddle of water pooled under her bare feet and drops of water gathered on her arms and legs.

"I'm Tendreece of the Swamp Clan. And you are?"

"Lily . . . of nowhere." It felt like I was talking about a complete stranger. It was a name I wasn't familiar with, and I had no ties here. If I said I was from Earth, would they all think me crazy? Would I stand out even more than I already had? Probably.

"I didn't realize that was possible." She snickered. "Are you sure you're even demon?"

I gave a reluctant nod. "Far as I know." Visions of those purple petals and the way they brought death to anyone who touched them flooded my mind.

"And no clan?" She wrinkled her nose. "That's very . . . odd."

When I glanced down at the other two women next to her, they too had puddles around them and were dressed in revealing clothing much the same as she was. But when they moved, the puddles moved with them. Drops of water clung to their arms and legs. Tendreece motioned to the woman to her left. "This is Lizvita."

Her hair was pulled into a tight, slick bun on the top of her head. Where Tendreece was tall and slim, she was a bit shorter and curvier. I nodded toward her. "Nice to meet you."

She looked me up and down, then took a drink of her punch while glancing away without a word. Nice. Very nice. I didn't want to be here, and I didn't want to be in competition with these women for a guy I had zero interest in. Tendreece motioned to the woman to her right. "This is Norla."

"Hi." I gave her a wave. "Lily."

"Hi, this is all kind of wild, right?" She was more animated than the other two. She had a round race, tan skin, and bright-brown eyes. Her hair was bright-red and pulled into two braids that fell down the sides of her face nearly to her hips. She too wore a sleek-looking dress made of shining material that looked like seaweed.

I nodded. "Yeah, it's definitely that."

Tendreece motioned to the glasses. "Would you like a drink?"

"I'd love some." I grabbed a glass, and another girl moved in next to me. She gave me a little bump with her hip, pushing me out of her way.

"I'm parched." She glared at me. "Excuse you."

I stepped back and waited. I was surrounded by mean girls, which wasn't new to me or something I'd shy away from. But I'd pick my battles wisely. "Oh yeah, excuse me."

She was shorter than the other two and wrapped in a light blue dress that covered her from head to toe. Thick fur ran around the collar and around her wrists. Fog or clouds swirled around the bottom of her dress, and a cool, gentle breeze seemed to be moving around her, ruffling her blonde hair. She filled her glass, then flicked the serving spoon toward me. Purple liquid splashed up toward me and got a few drops over my dress. I glanced down, then back up toward her.

She gave a fake chuckle. "Oops."

I chuckled. "I don't give a shit about the dress, so it's all good."

"What's all good?" Her brow furrowed.

The other woman who I spotted across the table from me walked up to the group with another woman by her side. "Penned, are you giving the ladies a difficult time?"

Penned shook her head, sending those blonde waves all around her face. "I wouldn't dream of it."

"Sure you wouldn't." The woman was beautiful in a familiar way. Her face was soft. She had full lips and dark skin. Her clothing looked warm with fur around her neck and wrists. Cloudy puffs of fog floated around her feet and up her arms. The scent of cool spring air clung to her.

"I'm Malotte of the Tempest Clan." She motioned to the woman standing next to her. "This is Kelda."

She was tiny, smaller even than me, with short pixie-cut white-blonde hair. She wore a thick white turtleneck type of dress that went all the way down to her knees and white fur boots that met the edge of her dress. I gave them both a little smile. "Nice to meet you both."

There was something peaceful yet confident about Malotte, like she was so sure of who she was and where she was at. It wasn't arrogant like Tendreece or Lizvita. Malotte motioned to the room around us. "This must be a bit weird for you?"

"I don't really know what I'm doing here, if I'm being honest." I glanced around the castle and soldiers all standing guard, watching my every move. "I didn't really ask for this."

Malotte glanced around, then leaned in close to me and lowered her voice. "It's an opportunity like any other."

I gave a small chuckle. "Yes, I suppose so. You're like the only person who's been halfway decent to me . . . Well, you and Linford."

Kelda's eyes widened. "Linford?"

Penned arched her eyebrows. "Did you say Linford? Like of the Slate Clan?"

Malotte elbowed her, shutting her up. "Penned, I thought we'd have better manners than this."

Tendreece gave a snide snicker and took a sip of her punch. "Tempest Clan was always lacking."

Penned scoffed at her. "Says the one who lives with permanent swamp ass." She motioned to me. "Besides, she got in my way. I was thirsty."

I filled my glass and raised it to her. "Here's to you, Penned."

We both took a drink, and the liquid burned on the way down like taking a shot of whiskey. I made a face and cleared my throat. "Wow, that was—"

Penned dropped her glass and the crystal shattered to pieces. She wrapped her hands around her throat and gasped for air. I took a step back and Avalon was behind me in a moment. His arm snaked around my hips, and he yanked me back toward him. "What'd you do?"

"Na-nothing."

She fell to the floor, and an odd gurgling sound came from her mouth. I squirmed from his grip and dropped to my knees beside her. When I flipped her onto her back, her lips had turned a horrible shade of blue. "Hold on, Penned."

I spread her dress off her chest and started compressions, then blew into her mouth, trying to give her air. But each time I blew, I felt my breath coming back at me. This wasn't like how I'd killed the soldiers, it was different . . . almost like poison. There was a weird flavor on her lips, like salt mixed with blood. Her body fell limp, yet I kept on going. Sweat covered my body, and I'd ripped the sleeves of my dress trying to do CPR. Demons gathered around me as I kept going, even though I didn't feel her heartbeat any longer or see my breath move in her chest.

Avalon bent down next to me. "She's gone."

I shook my head. "No!"

He wrapped his arm around my hips and yanked me to my feet. "She. Is. Dead."

"I didn't do it. I swear." There'd been no petals, no magic coming from my hands.

Tendreece snickered. "As if you could."

I turned toward her, feeling complete disgust. "You did this? But why?"

She raised her glass toward King Dacio, who had meandered over and stood at the center of the crowd looking down impassively at Penned. "In the immortal words of our esteemed King, let the games begin."

She winked at him, and I waited for him to show any sign of the repulsion I felt deep in the pit of my stomach. I went to take a step toward her, but Avalon stood there, holding me back. "You monster. How could you do such a thing?"

Everyone was silent, just staring at the two of us. Tendreece shrugged. "Only the strong survive here, Lily. You'd do well to remember that."

"So would you." I felt my power rise and purple smoke seeped from my palms. Avalon grabbed my arms and yanked them behind my back. Just one petal would do her in . . . just one. He smothered my powers by forcing my hands to curl into fists and held me there.

"Still, I don't know how you survived the waters of the Silent Marsh." She looked me up and down. "Pity. But there's always next time."

"Is that a threat?" I struggled against his hold as he started to pull me back through the crowd.

"You're too pretty to last, Lily." She motioned to the rest of the women. "At least I'm up front about it."

"And you're just going to let this happen?" I yelled to Dacio.

His lips pulled up into a cruel smile. "Yes, I dare say I am. Only the strongest are fit to be my queen."

Malotte dropped down next to Penned and held her hands over her body. Puffs of wind and clouds came from her and wrapped around Penned. She floated up off the floor, and Malotte guided her towards the door with a mixture of white puffy clouds around them both. "If you'll excuse me."

The crowd parted and she flew Penned's body from the gathering. I turned back to Tendreece. "And now we all see you."

"Good." She shrugged, "That'll make this so much easier."

Avalon pulled me away from the crowd and guided me toward the door. "We're leaving."

I stumbled in front of him, and he pushed me again until he was all but shoving me out into the hallway. The doors shut behind us with an ominous groan. I scoffed at him. "And you stood there letting that happen."

"Letting what happen?"

I turned around and planted my hands in his chest and shoved him back. "She killed her, and you stood there watching."

"She didn't pull a knife and stab her, Lily."

I'm beginning to hate that name. "And what's going to happen to her now? Will she go into the dungeon like I did? Will she be punished?"

He pressed his lips into a hard line. "Her fate is up to the King."

I rolled my eyes and began to walk away from him. "Some King."

"Hold your tongue." He moved to walk beside me. "You know not of what you speak."

"I know that he stood there and watched her die and there was no consequence for Tendreece. She was annoying, but that's not worth killing for." Anger and annoyance warred within my body. How could they all be so callous and unfeeling. A woman died tonight vying for a position to be queen. I'd killed those soldiers defending myself. What Tendreece did was straight up murder. No king was worth that, no seat at the royal table could possibly be worth that much. I wanted out of her and away from all of this.

"Debatable." He stared at me pointedly.

"Whatever." If ever there was a way of saying fuck you or fuck off, it was the use of the word whatever. He turned down a long hall and went toward a set of stairs. I followed beside him, silently making notes. I wanted out tonight.

At my door, he stopped and pulled it open. "Good night."

"Oh, you're sending me to my room now?" He said nothing. Rage filled my veins and I let my mouth get the better of me. "What a disappointment you must be to your people."

His hand shot out and he wrapped his fingers around my upper arm and tugged me around to face him. "Hypocrite."

"Hardly." I pulled my arm free. "Because you, Avalon oh great Lord of Shadows or whatever your title is, are a fucking coward."

He clenched his teeth. The muscles in his jaw ticked. Before he could answer me, I grabbed the edge of the door and slammed it shut in his face. I'd had enough of this night, of this place, and of him. I wanted out and home. Now. Tonight, I would sneak my way out and take my chances amidst the unknown landscape rather than these lunatics . . . Tonight, I would be gone.