Throne of the Fallen

Camilla fearlessly strode out to her waist, then dove under, emerging several feet away. She flipped her wet hair back, laughing. Her eyes shone moon-bright, reflecting in the lagoon.

“This feels incredible!” She treaded water. “Come join me, Your Highness.”

Envy considered the lagoon. Water lapped at his calves, tempting, fizzing—a million tiny bubbles bursting over his skin. They had no choice but to wade across it to reach the tunnel that led to Abyssus. Magic was forbidden until the waters had gotten their taste.

He took another step, the water encircling his knees.

He hadn’t gone more than a few feet before he paused, sensing he was in trouble.

“Do you want to swim with me?” Camilla asked.

He was compelled to give her the truth.

“Yes.”

Her smile was dazzling, bright enough to rival the most brilliant star in the night sky.

“After last night,” she said, swimming closer, “do you still crave me?”

His throat closed, his teeth clamping together. Envy glanced back at the shore, wanting to plunge himself back to the safety of the sand. It was no use.

“Yes.” His mind raced; he needed to get to the other side of the damn lagoon. He flashed Camilla a wolfish grin. “Do you still crave me, Miss Antonius?”

Camilla dragged her teeth across her lower lip, brows knitting. It looked like she was trying to force a lie out and suddenly realized she couldn’t.

She waded back, glowering. “Yes.”

He swam out deeper, fortifying his will. Repeating his rule in his head.

He would not touch her again. Would not kiss her.

But he liked that she still craved him. That he wasn’t alone in his cursed desire.

He swam closer, gaze locked on her as he circled her.

“Do you like me, Camilla?” he asked softly. “Do you enjoy my company?”

She splashed water at him, her mouth puckering before she released the truth.

“Yes. And yes.” She splashed him once more for good measure. “And I also hate you.”

She drifted away from him, then fired off a question of her own. “Is your court in peril? Is that why you’re playing the game?”

He inhaled sharply, realizing he was near the center of the lagoon now. Warm fizzing water lapped at his shoulders, the magical compulsion too strong for him to bear.

“Yes. To both.”

Camilla was much too clever. He dove toward the other side of the lagoon.

They would swim across to the other side, put their clothes on, and be on their way.

Camilla was suddenly before him, reaching out. Stopping before they touched.

She looked him over, gaze searching. Gone was any hint of teasing. No more cunning game or strategic moves.

“Do you believe you’ll win?”

He swallowed a sudden lump his throat. His feelings were conflicted, the truth not easily accessible. He wanted to win. Would fight with all he had, give everything he had to win. But whether that mattered, he wasn’t sure. He pushed a hand through his wet hair.

“I don’t know.”

“Do you want to touch me?” she asked, softly. And he had an uncanny sense that she’d known he needed her to distract him. “Right now.”

He inhaled slowly, then exhaled.

“Yes.”

Before she could drag any more truth from him, she held her arms open, a half smile playing across her lips.

“What—”

“Follow my lead, Your Highness.”

Camilla surprised him by waltzing them around the water, dancing in the bath-warm lagoon like it was their own private ballroom. She held his hand tightly, laughing as they twirled, sending droplets of water flying against each other.

“See?” she asked, grinning. “You’re touching me.”

It wasn’t at all what he’d meant, and she knew it. Still, he couldn’t help but return her smile. Camilla had played her hand beautifully. He’d admitted to far more than what she’d truly been asking—she’d worded her question with Fae cunning.

A trait that made him like her all the more.

For a few brief moments, there was no game. No court in trouble. No rules to break.

There were only Envy and Camilla, pretending this was what life would always be. Dancing in magical lagoons, naked, and wild and free.

They danced with only the sound of the splashes and droplets as their music, their laughter and the echoes softly bouncing back to them.

Much too soon, Envy stepped back, pressed a kiss to her palm, then led them to the other shore. Daydreams were not real. And a nightmare still lay ahead.

“Dress quickly.” Envy summoned their clothing, then turned to give Camilla privacy.

“I sense Abyssus waiting for us.”

FIFTY-FIVE

CAMILLA STARED DOWN at her clothing, shaking her head.

Envy had magicked more than what she’d been wearing, improving upon her clothes for their next destination. He really thought of everything.

A long-sleeved dress, a delicate slip, undergarments, thick stockings, and a velvet cloak were folded neatly at her feet.

Silken slippers had also been replaced by sturdy boots. Supple leather, butter-soft, and finely crafted. Her ring and necklace sparkled in the strange glow of the Shallows.