Queen of the Underworld | Book 3

• thirty-nine •

//song: Siren - Kiley Morgue
Dedicated to feels_and_more_feels I asked for a song and you delivered! Love it!

I had to hide the ring of my finger before we even made it out the door.

Asmo placed his arm out and rested his hand on the opposite wall of the narrow hallway, cutting off my path and blocking the door to the outside.

I knew his game instantly, I'd seen it countless times in high school. A boy cutting off a girl's path.

I just thought he would be more original.

He was close enough that I could smell his cologne. It was something exotic, no doubt expensive.

His proximity made me freeze uncomfortably but only for a moment. As soon as I realized his move, I knew how I could react.

"Alteaza." His voice was low.

I didn't turn towards him when he said my title.

"You're wearing a stone only meant to be worn by royalty. It will be a dead give away to any dark fae."

I looked up at him through my lashes. "What do you propose I do? I won't take it off."

His eyes seemed to darken even more and I watched his Adam's apple bob. "You should glamour it so that no one can see it," he whispered. "Only you can since you're our queen."

I nodded once and for a moment, took advantage of the fact we were in the small hallway together. We were barely two steps apart which made my next move easy for him to see.

I looked at his lips, then away as if shy.

He moved immediately outside to the fresh air and I wondered if he even saw the gesture at all.

Gods, I totally failed at flirting. I let out a long breath through my lips, uncaring of the unflattering way it sounded.

He held the door open for me, slightly bowing at the hip. His open hand extended towards the empty street. I couldn't help but see the sarcasm in his actions. They didn't seem sincere at all, I felt like he was mocking me again. "After you, Alteaza."

I wanted to roll my eyes and the sarcastic tone of my voice couldn't be helped. "Yeah, yeah, yeah."

The night air was dewy. Moisture clung to the air, filling my lungs as I breathed the night air deeply. It was long after sunset, and the lamps were lit for the night. I couldn't help but notice how they were lit. Instead of the flames I saw in the lamps downtown back home, these were lit with a small glow much in the same way the Keep and Julian's home was illuminated. Small lights moved within the sconces back and forth like they were living, and breathing creatures.

Kingstown was like Skryen but grungier. Open shops lined the streets selling fruits and spices despite the time of day. I always imaged the markets were open in the mornings rather than evenings but Kingstown proved me wrong. The streets were quiet but bustling with life. Couples mostly waltzed the streets and in my black hair, I hardly attracted attention.

Asmo despite being 'powerful' and part of the royal family drew no attention at all. He seemed to be no one at all, just one of them though I knew for a fact he delighted in the attention that being a prince brought him. At least that's how it seemed in all the parties we attended.

"Hmm." I said loud enough so that he could hear me as he walked next to me. "Interesting how this place is called Kingstown, shouldn't it be called Queenstown now?" I looked at him. "Since there's a queen now, instead of a king?"