Wrath must have recalled the same thing, the cool royal mask slipped. He raked his attention over me, allowing the Sin Corridor to bolster his desire. I noted the slight bulge in his trousers a second before someone wolf-whistled in the crowd.
I twisted in time to see Envy kick Lust in the shin. I brought my attention back to my king, my love, my salvation. My equal. To hear him call me his love, to openly share our hearts and souls, I’d walk through Hell again and again.
Wrath’s gaze burned with desire and pride. “Place your half of the crown on your head and rise—in front of all witnesses here—as the Queen of the Seven Circles, princess of House Wrath, and the goddess of the underworld and Shadow Realm.”
I placed the crown on my head and stood. Wrath looked to the crowd. “Brothers, Vittoria, it is time for the blessing from each court of our realm.”
Everyone yanked their House daggers out and pricked their fingers, shedding a drop of blood onto the snow-covered ground. My sister went last, her focus only on me as she allowed her blood to bead up and fall. Blood we’d always been warned against spilling.
Her lips moved silently, and I drew in a tense breath. I released it once I’d read what she was mouthing. “I love you.”
I’d mouthed it back, then the ground rumbled below us. Magic threads in the colors of each demon House along with my sister’s lavender whipped around me and Wrath, coiling tighter and tighter as the threads rushed around our bodies, circling our heads.
In a flash of glittering power, each of our broken crowns became whole. I reached up, brushing my fingers over the cool metal. My crown fit perfectly. Shouts rose from our family members, signaling the end of the coronation. I could scarcely believe it. I was truly queen.
“Your majesty.” Wrath lifted my hand to his mouth and pressed a kiss to my knuckles.
Gluttony stepped forward and clapped his brother on the shoulder, then kissed each of my cheeks. “Welcome to the family, Queen Emilia. I hope you’re ready for a feast to end them all.”
A young demon woman with pale frosty-blue hair rolled her eyes as she moved through the princes. It was the reporter I’d first seen at the Feast of the Wolf. I hadn’t noticed her before, perhaps she’d arrived during the murder-that-wasn’t reveal. She shot Gluttony a saccharine look.
“Prince Gluttony is correct about one thing—his feast will make guests wish he’d end them all.”
Gluttony’s easygoing smile vanished. “My dear, if my parties had the ability to kill, I’d personally deliver your invite.”
“That was as clever as your idea to lace wine with slumber root, promptly knocking all your guests out. At least that time it wasn’t sheer boredom that put them to sleep.” She gave him a cutting smile before dropping into a curtsy. “Once Your Majesties are settled into your coruling, I’d love to interview you both. Demons of each court are curious about the curse and if they need to worry about its return. They’d also like to know if love truly has the power to overcome all.”
“Trust me, demons are not just asking about the curse’s return. They live in fear some superior reporter with a penchant for snobbery will ruin their good time.” Gluttony shooed her away, promptly earning a fierce glare. His smile was genuine when he turned back to us. “The coronation celebration is being held at House Lust. We’ve decided to combine our efforts.”
Wrath shook his head and expelled a good-natured sigh. “We’ll see you there.”
Gluttony rubbed his hands together, a devious expression falling into place. “You know? That viper gave me a great idea—I think I’ll offer her a glass of wine laced with slumber root and kick her and her assistant out. Then we’ll see who thinks I’m unclever. At least we won’t have to worry about your coronation party hitting the gossip columns.”
“It’s touching to see your concern for our privacy,” Wrath deadpanned.
“Yes, well”—Gluttony flicked invisible lint off his lapel—“if she caught you two like Lust did, I doubt she’d be as discreet.”
“Lust!” I searched for that miserable demon, but he’d already left the Sin Corridor. And here I’d mistakenly believed he hadn’t told anyone about the boat incident in House Greed. Or perhaps the kitchens of House Wrath. Gossiping demon princes. Gluttony chuckled, and I rolled my eyes. “Go on, laugh. You’ve all done and seen worse. I’m sure I’ll see worse tonight.”
“Only if we’re all very lucky.” With a wink, Gluttony spun around and cupped his hands around his mouth, shouting over the low murmuring of conversations. “May I have everyone’s attention—we meet at House Lust within the hour!”
“Wait,” Wrath said, his low voice carrying over the small gathering. “There’s one more matter to attend to.” I gave him a questioning look. “Would you like to swear a blood oath and officially become the coruler of House Wrath?”
I glanced to my sister, who offered me a small smile and nod. Vittoria would be all right ruling our House on her own. Excitement surged inside me as I faced my husband again, removing the dagger I’d hidden under my gown.
“Yes. I’m ready to become the Princess of Wrath. Officially.”
TWENTY-NINE
“You taste divine.” I closed my lips over the blunt end and sucked as much as I could into my mouth. I was trying to maintain some semblance of dignity, but devil curse me, it was so good. I drew back, my prize still in hand, and admired my work. “I want to lick each inch of you.”
“So do I,” Wrath murmured from the doorway.
I dropped the spoonful of cannoli filling I’d whipped together and burst out laughing when I noticed where his attention was. The fiend was definitely talking about his favorite dessert, not his wife. My bright laughter earned a wide grin from my husband as he fully entered the kitchens. We had just under an hour until we needed to be at Lust’s, and according to Wrath and Envy, it was fashionable for the couple of honor to show up a little late.
We decided to come home, and while Wrath tended to the hellhounds, I came to the kitchens to make a treat for our victory. We solved the “murder” of Vesta, cleared my sister’s name, and broke the curse. I couldn’t be happier.
“Gluttony sent five demons to fetch us. If we don’t show up to the party soon, he’s threatened to come here. With everyone. And he swore he’d personally escort the columnist.”
Wrath’s expression hinted that he’d happily choose to fight a horde of werewolves again rather than host a party and invite all his debauched brothers to our House of Sin. I handed him the bowl of sweetened ricotta. “You have time to at least steal a little taste.”
“You’re right. I do.” He set the bowl aside and pulled me in for a kiss. I melted against him, fully indulging in the sweet embrace. Much faster than either one of us would prefer, he drew back, his gaze dark with a carnal need that matched my own. “Much as it pains me to not lay you down and lick every inch of you this instant, we should leave.”
His voice was deep, velvety. It hinted at all sorts of fantasies and desires. Ones I’d gladly welcome as reality. I glanced longingly at the countertop, recalling the last time we’d been interrupted, then stepped out from his arms, putting distance between us. “It would certainly be unacceptable for the king and queen of sin and vice to be extremely late.”
Wrath tracked me across the kitchen, his attention never leaving mine as he slowly pressed me against the table and reached down, curling his fingers around the hem of my gown and swiftly dragging it upward. He parted my legs to stand between them.
“I said we should leave, my lady. I never said we were going to.” Wrath’s clever fingers discovered I hadn’t lied about my undergarments, and his attention zeroed in on that secret spot that yearned for him. He rubbed the slickness of my arousal until I whimpered from growing need. “At least not yet.”
My king knelt before me, his gaze dark and wicked as he made good on his promise to lick every inch of me.
The Prince of Lust might rule over all forms of pleasure, but the exterior portion of his House of Sin was dedicated to the one he was most famous for: lust. Our carriage had only just stopped outside the circular drive when it was made clear which prince ruled this court.
Marble statues of couples engaged in passionate encounters lined the grand staircase leading to a set of oversized wooden doors. My attention traveled to a frieze of an orgy placed above the entrance, the phrase ENTER ALL carved onto it.
I smiled a little at the double meaning. Subtlety was an art form Lust refused to learn.