Snickering, I was in the dress before she could finish her complaint.
Kate insisted on helping and fumbled with the laces at the back of my corset, but eventually figured them out. Then she put the necklace he’d left on the bed around my throat, tying off the little ribbon that held the two pieces together. Whatever magic was in it did my hair in a gorgeous updo and applied a dark and dangerous look to my face that would rival Jo’s always perfect application. Or Phillip’s. Or Cash’s.
Kate whistled. “Holy shit! You look fucking gorgeous. But you also kind of look like...”
I caught my reflection in the tall, standing mirror near the bed. “Like a villain? Pretty sure that was the point.”
“Guess it’s time to burn shit down, then,” Kate laughed and went over to the chair where a pretty white dress was waiting for her.
I made sure to help her into it. It was far more modest than the one he’d left for me. The necklace, too. It wasn’t gaudy and the size of the Hope diamond. But on Kate, it was absolutely breathtaking. Pink hair fell around her shoulders, making her more goddess than human, and her shy glance made me beam a smile.
“Do I look okay?”
“Like a goddamn vision. If what waited for us wasn’t a castle full of our enemies, I’d be telling you to go get you some.” I fixed a stray hair falling into her eyes.
“Yeah, villains aren’t really my type,” she mumbled.
I barely kept from eye-rolling the lie. “Yes, they are. But they can’t be here. These guys are as bad as it gets.”
Kate locked her arm with mine and leaned in. “Okay, fair. Tonight, I’m your Watson, my dear Sherlock. Let’s go shake shit up and make them regret ever crossing my bestie.”
Thank fuck for Kate. I desperately hoped all I’d read off Aram was true and he’d keep my friend safe, or it wouldn’t matter what it took, I’d burn this whole fucking place to the ground. I’d become the weapon they all feared so much.
“Hey, what did the note say, anyway?” Kate asked me as we made our way to the door. “Did it help?”
I winked at her, already rejuvenated by our banter. “Exactly what I needed to read, so yeah.” My smile was the gentlest it’d been since coming here. “It really did.”
Chapter 26
My Dear Watson
Aram was waiting at the bottom of the spiral staircase, his wings tucked under a long, thick cloak. His large physique in a well-tailored suit was a sight I could’ve done without, mostly because it was annoyingly gorgeous.
His silver hair was braided away from his face like he’d taken his inspiration from a fantasy movie. Piercing blood-red eyes rose to meet mine as if he’d been worried I’d never come down, but it was the fanged smile that split his face that shook me the most.
This is your goddamn enemy, V…
Why did they have to make villains so pretty here? Seriously. It was rude.
Lust invaded my head like it never had with him. It was so potent I nearly stumbled on the last step. Kate tightened her grip on me, fear twisting her expression. I patted her hand and gave her a quick, reassuring smile before stepping forward.
“This dress is obnoxious, you have to know that.”
Aram seemed to come out of his head, the attraction he felt for me screaming both in my head and his eyes. “I’d hate to disagree with my mate—”
“V,” I corrected with a hiss.
His tongue swept his lips as his throat bobbed. “V.” His gaze danced with amusement as it met mine again. “Perhaps I was wrong.”
Confused, my eyebrow rose. Kate was close to my back, probably glaring daggers at him, but Aram never paid her a single glance.
“I’m not sure if I want anyone to see you this beautiful,” he admitted out of nowhere.
Kate whooshed a breath. “Dude’s smooth, I’ll give him that.”
“Not helping,” I muttered angrily.
“Oh, right. Hate it. Hate him. Such a playboy.”
