Malum part 2

Tillie

After a quick shower in Katsia’s bedroom—which by the way, is insane. The structure and architecture is articulate and the décor is something I have never seen before. Her bedroom is laced in soft lilac and dark greys, with large windows that overlook the front of the mansion. The bathroom is at the end of the bedroom, but open. It’s odd, but freeing. The shower has six—yes, six—large shower heads that drop from the ceiling, which is one large mirror. This entire room was made for sex and screams orgasms louder than any orgasm receiving girl.

I dress in new clothes but wash my shoes carefully because I’m not leaving them here, before heading back down to the main living areas where The Kings wait. Nate hasn’t said a word to me since showing me where Katsia’s room was. I’m not confused anymore, I know he cares for me, maybe even loves me to a certain extent, but I’m not delusional about my future with him. It’s probably not going to happen, but just because you know you might not have a future with someone, it doesn’t numb the feelings you have for them. Unfortunately.

As soon as I enter the sitting room, everyone falls silent.

I roll my eyes, leaning against the door frame. “Don’t worry, I’m not seeing dead people.”

Eli chuckles.

Brantley watches me carefully.

Nate is glaring at me.

“What’d I do now? I always feel like I’m in trouble.”

“Okay, I have to know who voted to have a girl in the group?” Ace murmurs. “I mean she is in our fucking clique.”

I press the palm of my hand to my heart. “Aw, I’m touched. Can I call myself a King?”

Nate rolls his eyes. “I need to talk with you.” He brushes past me, and out of habit, my eyes find Brantley.

Brantley nods, so I turn and follow Nate toward the foyer and out the front door. He heads straight for the gates. I run, catching up to him.

“What’s going on?”

“You asked me if there was another option to who would take over the island if you don’t want to.”

“Yes,” I say, falling into step beside him.

We make our way down the main street, passing all of the stores until Nate turns us toward a small alleyway between a weapon shop and a bakery. I follow behind him.

“Why?”

We come out the end and tree’s line the back of the shops, with lights hanging in the branches. There are small cleared footpaths that lead into the forest, and he carries on forward.

I look down at my heels, and then look back up at him, praying to the fashion gods that they forgive me for the treatment I’ve been laying out to Jimmy Choo. The sun is setting in the sky, the day turning to night. I know that this is when the people of Perdita come out, and a big part of me is eager to see their way of life.

When I catch back up to my grumpy leader, I chew on my bottom lip. “Where are we going?”

“I’m going to introduce you to someone. I want you to have an open mind to her and not react with your fangs.”

“I don’t have fangs…”

As we tread deeper into the forest, I find myself looking around. The trees are all separated perfectly, giving me enough clearance to see through them. There are multiple paths that lead off in different directions, with little wooden signs that point down the dusty lanes. The names are all in Latin, so I don’t understand what they say. Nate takes a turn down Adamantem and I follow closely beside him. I itch to reach for him, but since his attitude has been cold, I retract the urge.

“Wow,” I whisper, my footing slowing as we trudge deeper.

There are small cottage style homes that line each side of the lane. Not many, maybe three or four? Nate nods his head toward a larger style cottage home with white flushed wood and glass windows.

“Come on.”

I follow, because now I’m intrigued. Lights begin to flicker on along the pathway and the trees behind and in-between the homes. The darker it gets, the more lights start to turn on, around the houses, framing the windows and doors. We climb the few steps that lead to the front door and Nate knocks on it twice. And then twice again. As we wait, I admire the small gardens that decorate the front yard, with flowers I’ve never seen before. Mind you, I’m not a flower person so I wouldn’t actually know if we have them. Pinks, and lilacs and soft beige petals flourish through the greenery, like little spurts of life springing from nature.

The door opening brings my attention back to the forefront. A girl around my age is standing still, her eyes on Nate. She has to be around my age, maybe younger, with long brown hair and sparkling blue eyes.

“Salve, Malum.” She bows slightly, her head hanging between her shoulders as her eyes twinkle up at him.

Nate stands strong, nodding. “Salve, Adamantem. Qui scis haec?” The dead language drips off the tip of his tongue like melted chocolate. Addictive, teasing, and everything that you’ve ever wanted. Also an easy way to get diabetes.

The girl’s eyes come to mine. I see fire flash through them before recognition takes hold and has her dropping to her knees.

“Etiam, domine. Stuprum…”

Nate turns to face me. “I asked her if she knew who you were. She didn’t at first, but does now.”

“Right. Can you tell her that she doesn’t have to stay on her knees?”

“Sursum, Adamantem.”

She stands instantly, ru

Nate shakes his head as he continues to speak in Latin to her. I watch as her eyes scan over him with lust. She’s hanging off of every word, her nipples hard for him.

“Have you fucked her?” I ask Nate, interrupting his rambles.

He pauses, his eye twitching as he brings his attention to me. I don’t give him the same courtesy, and I’m loving the fact that she can’t understand English.

I keep my eyes on hers, as she keeps hers on him. On someone who belongs to me. At least he does inside my head. And heart. The more I think about it, the more the rage burns.

“Yes. Frequently. Why?”

I tense, along with my jaw. I’m biting down on it so hard I’m sure my teeth will crack. “Interesting.”

“What’s interesting about that?”

I finally bring my eyes to his. “The fact that even in this world, you can’t keep your dick in your pants.”

He tilts his head. “You really want to do this right now. Right here?”

“It’s your tune, baby. I’m just dancing to it…” I sass, gri

“Don’t fucking throw metaphors at me, Tillie. Speak your fucking mind. I fucked her. Regularly. I fucking enjoyed it, and I’m pretty sure she did too. What do you want from me? You know I have a past.”

Just how far back does she go, though…

I exhale. “Good thing she doesn’t understand or speak English.”

“Actually,” she whispers softly. “I do.”

I still, my eyes flying to Nate. “Who is she?”

His jaw clenches a few times. “She’s an Adamantem, the English translation is Diamond. Basically, they’re the only living family that has a direct blood line to the Stuprum tree. So in short—”

“—she could run Perdita…” I whisper. Nate’s slut antics bumped to the back of my brain.