Page 238 of Fallen Stars
Merissa ate her sage-buttered chicken slowly, the presence right beside her hard to ignore. A strange foreboding hadn’t left her–likely because of the demon god nearly brushing legs with hers and the thought that Piscea may not have been sealed back into her coffin.
The others were merry, drinking and eating as conversation ensued. Eli’s absence was felt, but she was glad he’d gotten away. She’d grown fond of the Star.
Merissa stabbed her fork into a paprika-smoked potato, bringing it to her mouth when she felt a shift next to her. She raised her eyes, turning, and saw Ariete looking straight at her, his crimson eyes dancing.
She looked around to the others, making sure it wasn’t Elara or Adrian that he was staring at. But no one else had noticed as the god fidgeted against the lightning forming his bindings.
Merissa reached for the open bottle of honeywine on the table, filling her glass to the brim and draining it to the dregs. She made sure again to not look at Ariete; there was something so unnerving about him. And perhaps it was because she had kissed him, and he was none the wiser, but a nervous energy was fizzing through her bloodstream in his presence.
She set her glass down and reached for the bottle again, hoping he had focused his attention elsewhere when he leaned into her.
“Aren’t you going to pour me a drink,bravina?” he murmured into her ear.
Merissa stilled.
“Or wait, was itAmara? I can hardly keep up with the different faces you wear. A dancer, a nymph…who will you be next?”
The bottle slipped from her hand, spilling onto the table.
Isra looked up at the sound, the others deep in conversation, and Merissa flashed her a quick smile, taking her napkin to mop up the spill.
“What did you just call me?” she whispered, her hands trembling.
She dared glance again at the god, his elbow on the table, head propped in hand as he smiled, showing a sharpened canine as he devoured her with his eyes.
“Oh, little nymph,” he said softly. “Imagine if everyone at this table knew that you’d been grinding against the leg of their worst enemy only a few weeks ago.”
“No,” she whispered. “No, no, no.”
“Oh, yes, yes, yes.” Ariete grinned. “I told you you’d find out my name soon enough.”
She made to stand, but Ariete moved, his tall body leaning fully into her space. “Aw, come on, don’t be shy.” He pressed himself so close to her that his lips were by her ear, the others none the wiser as they continued to speak. “You weren’t when you were begging me to fuck you.” His breath fanned over her neck. “Did you prefer me with the demon mask on?”
Cinnamon wafted over her, and she closed her eyes, recalling the same scent in Castor and Kaos. Fool. She was a fool. Her heart thudded against her chest as he leaned back, releasing her wrist.
“Merissa,” Elara called sharply to her right, finally noticing. “What’s he saying to you?”
“N-nothing,” she stammered, standing as Ariete let out a deep chuckle.
“You’re white as a ghost,” Leo said, shooting a venomous look to Ariete.
“It’s nothing,” she said again firmly. “I just spilled some wine.” She hurried over to Adrian, who had a fresh bottle and an empty seat next to him.
“Leave her be,” Enzo snapped to Ariete.
“Oh, out of the two of us, I don’t think it’s me you need to worry about,” Ariete grinned in reply as the others frowned.
Merissa kept her eyes to the floor until she’d gotten to Adrian. Oh gods, he had known who she was when she had entered The Ruby. When she hadkissedhim, he’d known all along. And he’d let her…
She had to breathe in and out deeply as she tried to force the pretty mask back over herself, Elara peering at her with concern.
He had also let her grind and beg and plead to do all manner of sinful things before denying her.She took the wine bottle in front of Adrian and uncorked it with her teeth before taking a swig.
‘You were charmed out of your head,’ she reminded herself. ‘You would have done that to any stranger.’
She took another large gulp to steady her nerves.
The meal finished, Merissa sat back, not having moved from beside Adrian. She looked over at Enzo and Elara, the two in quiet talks amongst themselves, Enzo murmuring something into Elara’s ear as she smiled.