House of Lies and Sorrow (Fae of Rewyth #1)(12)

What type of men they really were.

I was never going to be anything like them, and they hated me because of it.

“What?” I blinked at Jade, realizing she had asked me a question.

“Are you going to eat?” she repeated, clearly pleased by my level of distraction.

“You’re hungry?” I asked. Idiot. She was obviously starving, likely hadn’t eaten a single thing since we dragged her from her home, and I had dragged her in here through the crowd of food without offering her anything.

She had been starving herself so her sister could have food. I knew that. I had seen it firsthand.

“Stay here,” I admitted, forcing down the wave of anger that rushed forward at the single thought of Jade providing for her ungrateful family. “I’ll grab you some food. Don’t move.”

She nodded in acceptance. I did my best not to stare at the exposed skin on her chest as I stood from the chair and walked toward the crowd of guests.

It didn’t take more than a few seconds before Kara approached me in the sea, wrapping her skinny arm around my own.

“If you want a real party,” she purred, flicking her tongue across her red lipstick, “you know where I’ll be.”

“Not tonight, Kara,” I insisted. “I’m a married man. That’s over.” However long that would last.

The disappointment on her face didn’t go unnoticed, but I couldn’t bring myself to give a shit. I had told Kara many times that I wasn’t interested.

But I guess I couldn’t blame her for trying.

I wasn’t that person anymore. There was a time when I would have jumped at any chance to get absolutely trashed with the other fae and slept with someone like Kara, but not anymore.

I had a duty to uphold. A vow to keep.

Kara shook her head but didn’t remove her hand from my arm. “I mean it,” I warned. “That’s enough.”

“You know you’ll grow tired of her,” she muttered. “I can keep you happy, Malachi. I can–”

I snapped, taking her hand off my arm and gripping so hard I knew it hurt her. I let my power rumble, just enough for her to sense it was there. “Don’t make me repeat myself. This is already embarrassing enough for you. Now get your things and go.”

Her brows furrowed before she snatched her hand from mine. She mumbled something under her breath and stalked away. I didn’t bother even giving her a second glance.

Kara was nice. Sometimes. But even if I wasn’t destined to marry a human, things would have never worked out with her. Kara was a spitting image of what the humans hated so much when it came to the fae. Kara was selfish, materialistic, ignorant, and naive.

Still. I couldn’t help but wonder if it was her own fault, or this warped reality we had been living for the past few decades. We sat in this castle pretending nothing else existed outside of it.

Like I said. Ignorant.

I brought my attention back to the food I was searching for.

My father–the king–was standing just a few feet away. I could have turned around, tried to avoid him, but that would no doubt result in some sort of punishment later.

And right now, I needed him on my side.

Especially if Jade Farrow was going to survive the night.

“Thank you for all of this,” I said, throwing the grateful son smile on my face as I approached my father. “It’s a beautiful party.”

His companions nodded and found themselves busy with other conversation as I approached.

“It’s not every day that your firstborn son gets married! Although, it might be every few years. Perhaps we should keep the decor for next time, yes?”

It was a joke, but my temper flared. I clenched my fists, trying to keep my cool.

“Relax, son. Your wife seems to be a fighter. No doubt this one will be different!” Every word was a lie. “Besides…fourth time’s the charm, right?” he said, stumbling over his words and sloshing the liquid from his cup as he leaned toward me.

“You’re drunk already?” I asked. “With so much of the night left ahead?”

He took another drink. “It’s a party, boy. You should enjoy it while you can.”

“Not much to enjoy when my wife is in danger,” I admitted through gritted teeth.

My father’s face grew serious. “You’re married not even an hour and she already has you running around for her own protection!” he laughed. “You really don’t think you can trust this room full of your closest friends and family?” he asked.

I looked around the room. Strangers. That’s who these people were to me. They weren’t friends, and they certainly weren’t family.

“I thought I could trust them the last three times, and look where that got us.”

My father’s eyes darkened. “Your wife is safe, Malachi. Don’t be a fool. Not a single person in this room wishes harm on her.”

A small slice of anger laced his words. Was he really pissed that I didn’t trust this room full of drunk, selfish fae? Or was he more pissed off because I was actually taking a stance and protecting my wife?

I wanted nothing more than to stand up to him. My power was no match for his, and we both knew that.

But my father had leverage. That one piece of information that forced me to obey his every command, his every wish.