Queen of Ruin

The ticking of the Grandfather clock synced up perfectly to the tapping of Jasper’s shoe against the black-and-white checkered floor until he finally shifted his eyes to the stairs. “Hurry up, Sugar!”

After he tousled the dark curls on his head in the mirror, his eyes dropped to Teddy’s reflection. “Will you go drag your sister down here, please? She’s going to be late for her own goddamn birthday party.”

From the warm, burgundy wall he leaned on, Teddy pulled his hand from his pocket and pointed his finger gun at his father. “Don’t you worry about a thing, Daddy; I’m on it.”

The ting of his fingers bouncing off the cast-iron spindles of the staircase kept time with his shoes sliding across the Oriental runner that led him to Tessa’s room.

Her lips made a perfect pout as she slathered on her red lip gloss and shook out her dark, curly hair. “Hell’s Bells! I’ll be down in a minute, Daddy! You think a face like this grows on trees?”

While she peeked down over herself, she straightened her simple black dress and tugged nervously on her pearl necklace. “This is my party; I’m supposed to make a grand entrance. All those pricks can just wait until I’m good and ready to show up.”

Just hours shy from thirteen now, Tessa prepared herself for the first formal affair she ever attended at her Order.

These were the days when the witching world’s families introduced their children, hoping for them to find their someday mates, or at least like someone enough that a future marriage can be arranged.

Among the Savannah elite, alliances start early and tonight promised to be interesting because a new family recently arrived from Morocco with five sons, one close to her age.

“Aren’t you ready yet?” Teddy leaned against the doorway and shared the mirror with his sister.

While he tried to tame the wayward curl that kept poking his forehead, he tilted his head to the side as he appreciated his reflection. “We’re all waiting for you, you know. You’re being rude as hell to our guests.”

“I give nary a shit about any of those parasites.” The nerves she battled all day long dripped from her fingertips as she shook out her hands and turned to face him. “Do we really have to go to this thing? I don’t feel very well.”

An amused smile came to his lips, and the always relaxed Teddy winked his green eye at her. His sister never turned down an opportunity to complain, and he never wasted the chance to support her. “Time to find you a mate, Tess; you’re nearly an old maid.”

Her arms wove across her chest, and her eyes rolled in an arrogant act of defiance. No matter the outcome of tonight’s party, she would be unimpressed by any specimen presented to her. “No goddamn way. You know I don’t believe in that old-timey bullshit.”

He chuckled to himself as he pointed at her because he expected nothing less from her smart mouth. Although her mother was a regal, graceful woman born of royal blood, Tessa inherited her father’s quick temper and love of profanity. “That’s it. That kind of talk will sweep any potential suitor right off his feet.”

“Like I give a damn.” While she wiggled her toes into her high-heeled shoes, she flipped him the middle finger. “I can’t believe I’m going through with this. This whole mating thing is one tradition that needs to die.”

As Teddy took one last look at himself, he straightened the bow tie he never could quite figure out.

Only a smidge less vain than his sister, he puckered his lips at his reflection and shrugged off her concerns. “Don’t go working yourself up into a tizzy over it yet, Tess; it’s only a party. No one said you have to jump the broom tonight. Nobody will expect that of you for a couple of decades or so.”

While they walked down the hall, she continued her list of grievances about her over-privileged lot in life. “I wish I were human; they can decide for themselves who they end up with.”

The antique, textured burgundy and gold wallpaper tickled the ridges of his fingers as he slid them across while he did his best to calm her down. “Yes, that’s true, but they often pick poorly. Your mate is hand-picked for you by the Fates; these things are meant to be. Go with it for once and see where it leads you.”

Her head shaking rebelliously, Tessa delivered her usual response to anyone who disagreed with her as he opened the front door. “What a load of shit! No one’s going to tell me how I’m going to live my life, especially not some crusty, old sky wizard that doesn’t even know anything about me.”

His fingers wrapped around her arm as they came down the stairs because Teddy was more than a little worried she might throw herself down them in an attempt to avoid tonight’s obligation. “Whether or not you believe in the old gods, they sure as hell believe in you. If you’re not careful, someday you’re going to get struck down by lightning for your blasphemy.”

Her eyes rose to the full moon above her, and she held up her arms as she dared Fate to test her. “Well, now would be a perfect time, you sons of bitches. Why don’t you go on and put me right out of my misery?”

When they met their parents on the other side of the street, Jasper wrapped his arm around her shoulder as they walked across the park. “Are you excited, Sugar?”

The arched brow he liked to give to those who dared to cross him shot back at him as she shook her head no. “Absolutely not! This is so sick. These cotillions are like one of those livestock auctions they have out in the country.”

While he tipped his head to the people walking by, Jasper laughed out at the comparison. “I just want to introduce you to some people. After that, you’re free to go hide in my office the rest of the night if you want.”

He pulled her closer to his side and kissed the top of her head. “I wanted to show off my number one girl. All those guys brag on their pathetic daughters, but they haven’t met anyone like you before, Tess. I guarantee it.”

His arm around her shoulder tugged her tighter as he waved his hand at the building before them. “You’re going to run this whole show one day; believe me when I tell you that this world is a hell of a lot easier when you have someone loyal and strong by your side to back you up.”

Even the guard who manned the front door dressed to the nines, and he lowered his head in respect of his leaders before he parted the thick, wooden doors for them.

As soon as she crossed the threshold, she gasped at the flip-flop sensation in her chest. A slow, steamy breath blew from her mouth, and she fanned her face to collect her nerves.

The unconscious primal side awoke as her whole body buzzed, and the little beast’s eyes darted around, searching for the other racing heart that called out to her.

Her entire world blurred into a messy smear of faces that melted into nothing as her mind tried to narrow her focus and zero in on its prey.

When Jasper stretched his neck, he caught her tugging at her pearls from the corner of his eye and smacked her hand away as he gave her his disapproving squint. “Don’t you show them any weakness, Tessa Mason. These people are vultures; they’ll use any tactic to gain the upper hand with you. Don’t let them see they can intimidate you.”

Realizing how much he was putting on her shoulders at such a young age, Jasper sighed out a breath of regret as he slid his hand on her cheek. “Sometimes I have to remind myself that you’re a kid because you two just act so grown up. This life we live isn’t an easy one, and I want you both prepared for the realities of it.”

One of the few people in the world who she respected at all, she gave him a sweet smile and nodded. “I know that, Daddy. You don’t have to worry about us; we can handle ourselves just fine.”

“I do not doubt that at all.” He pushed her hair back off her shoulder while he beamed with pride at his most treasured work of art. “These folks are only spectators in your world wanting to see you fail; don’t give them the satisfaction.”

Already ten minutes late, he used one last second to brush down his jacket and check the shine on his shoes as he gave her some last words of wisdom. “Burn the entire world down and kill them all if you have to, but you make them understand you’re not the witch to mess with. Don’t give mercy because they won’t be so kind as to offer you any. You get what I’m saying, Sugar?”

A sneaky smirk curled up on her lips as a spark flashed across her emerald green eyes. Even though the rest of the world tried to hold her back, only her father truly understood her nature and gave her permission to be the foul-mouthed, wicked witch she was. “Perfectly, Daddy.”

With his fakest smile plastered on, Jasper lifted his chin at the doorman. “It’s showtime, Sugar.”

A pageant Queen’s toothy smile appeared on Tessa’s face, and her eyes danced joyfully under her widow’s peak. While she waved and winked at the guests like her father taught her as she crossed the ballroom, she cursed them through her teeth. “I hope you all choke.”

Like a strong wind gust on the calmest day, some unseen force pulled at her face and compelled her to look to her left. The Fate’s can be cruel, and when she refused their command, the scorned masters of her universe sent a dull ache to her chest as punishment.

With hands balled into fists as she sat down, she tried to resist the whispers from her demon that begged to claim what belonged to her until her father’s voice overrode them. He chuckled against her cheek as he kissed it. “That was fantastic. You’re better than one of those human politicians.”

She shuddered with an icy splash of nerves as the pounding in her chest grew stronger. The prickly tickle of eyes teased her skin, and she did her best to ignore the weighty draw that kept begging for her attention.

These last few weeks, she proclaimed to anyone who might mention the upcoming matchmaking ball how she thought the idea of mates to be archaic and silly. The way her body responded, however, let her know he was there somewhere watching.

The always fearless predator was, at last, someone’s prey, and a thrilling sensation of fear and anticipation at possibly being caught wrapped itself around her.

While she shook her head at whatever was calling her and how easily she veered from her own convictions, Tessa sipped a drink of water and placed the glass back on the table. “Calm the hell down; you’re supposed to be in charge.”

“Would you like to dance, Sugar?” Jasper kneeled beside her and held her hand in his smoothly manicured fingers. “Let me show you off for a few more minutes, and you can disappear. Alright?”

A less than enthusiastic, tight-lipped grin spread across her mouth as she nodded. “Sure, Daddy.”

With her tiny hand in his, he led her to the dance floor until a towering, dark presence blocked their path. “Jasper Mason, it’s my honor to meet you at last.” The tall, black-haired man held out his hand and offered a captivating smile like a forked-tongue preacher begging for a dollar. “Thank you for inviting us.”

Like the oldest of friends, Jasper grasped the wizard’s hand and returned his phony expression. “Mr. Idrissi. Welcome to Savannah. We’re so thrilled that you decided to come be part of all this.”

The insanely handsome wizard tipped his head in respect as he smiled down at her. “This must be Tessa. She’s even more beautiful than everyone said she would be.”

“Yes, she is.” With his hand on her back, Jasper nudged her closer. “Tess, this is Mr. Omar Idrissi; his family just arrived here from Morocco this week.”

The stranger snatched her hand as if it belonged to him and kissed the back. “It is a pleasure to meet such a lovely young woman. Happy Birthday, little one.”

A tingly sizzle crept up her arm from Omar’s hand, and it sent her alarms ablaze as she raised her brow and gave him a quick grin. The warnings from her father about intimidation not forgotten, Tessa gathered her courage before she spoke. “Why, thank you, sir, but I assure you that the pleasure is all mine, Mr. Idrissi.”

The feeling of his hand sliding across her low back sent a skin-crawling tremor down through her nerves as Omar pulled her to his table. “I’d like to introduce you to my youngest son, Rafik. He has been quite eager to meet you all evening.”

The moment she dreaded and hoped for now before her, a million sensations moved through Tessa as her eyes met Rafik’s. Dark brown eyes captivated her as he stepped around the table with the sultriest grin on his face, and it drove a rush through her veins.

With the bending of his fingers, Omar summoned him closer and held out her hand to Rafik as if he was giving him the keys to a whole new world. The spark from his touch made her flinch when their skin met, and her heart fluttered like a hummingbird.

At barely fifteen, the strikingly handsome boy rivaled any Hollywood movie star with his sun-kissed tawny face and black, curly hair. Plump lips that reminded her of a mug of hot cocoa made her imagine taking him somewhere private to find out if they were as sweet.

Breathing across the back of her hand in the most melodic accent she ever had the pleasure of hearing, Rafik’s mouth found her knuckle. “I’m joyous to meet you finally.”

A gentle hum began to rise from her toes, making her pull back her hand and grin to disguise her thoughts, but the breathlessness in her words gave her away. “Likewise, I’m sure.”

Preparing her for every situation he could imagine, her father forgot the one that left her speechless and frozen at that moment. With an expression begging for mercy, she looked up to Jasper and motioned away.

A blind man would have spotted the flush on her face from a mile away, and he put his hand on her shoulder as he came to her rescue. “Well, I promised the birthday girl a dance, so if you’ll excuse us. Have a good time this evening, gentlemen. If there’s anything you need, don’t hesitate to let me know.”

After shaking Omar’s hand again, Jasper placed his palm on Tessa’s back and led her away. If the teenagers’ chemistry was a sign of things to come, his hopes for a truce were pulling together. “Hmm! I believe I saw sparks flying between you and that boy back there.”

She gripped her father’s hand and started moving to the music as an offended scoff shot from her throat. “Don’t you go having any ideas about that, Daddy. It’s nothing.”

While he glanced back to the table, he met Rafik’s smiling face as he rested it on his hand and gazed at her. “Oh, I don’t know, Tess. Don’t be so hasty; sometimes you find love in the most unlikely places.”

A devious smile came to Jasper’s face when he saw the young man stand and straighten his tie as he made his way to them. “Sugar, these things are political. We have to collect all our pieces before we can play the game.”

Bending down to meet her eyes, he reminded her of what they were trying to build here. “You’re going to need powerful allies when you take over, and the Idrissi family has a lot of power; don’t turn your nose up at it. We may need them someday. Besides, they’re the best potion makers on the planet; it would be a smart match for you.”

The weight of the young man’s gravity nearly sucked her from her father’s grasp, and she closed her eyes before hissing through her teeth. “Goddamn, you. Thanks for the warning, you turncoat.”

Like a warm breeze, the soothing voice moved across the back of her neck. “May I dance with your daughter, please?”

“Why, yes, of course, son.” As Rafik slid around to take his place, Jasper put his hand on his shoulder and glanced back to Tessa with a wink. “Have fun, you two.”

Like the smoothest gold-digging Don Juan in all of Savannah, he dropped his hand to the small of her back while his other traveled down her arm, and she melted with his touch despite her mind’s warning. He wrapped his fingers around hers and kissed her hand before he placed it over his heart. “Happy Birthday, Tessa.”

The breath rushed from her mouth as a bashful smile while she glanced down to the floor between them. “Thank you.”

His hot breath graced her cheek as he gazed down at her face and pulled her closer to his chest when the old tune Sleep Walk played. “Do you like this song, Rohi?”

A wave of heat overcame her body, and her cheeks turned the most beautiful shade of golden-pink as her icy persona evaporated into the air that surrounded them.

His eyes shimmered with a hint of amber as she stared into them, and it was almost like someone else spoke through her the way the truth fell from her habitually untruthful tongue. “Yes, I love it. I even hear it in my dreams sometimes.”

While his dark eyes darted back and forth between hers, he smiled as the words dripped from his perfect mouth like the most tempting poison ever concocted. “That’s because this is our song; the Fates had them make it for you and me.”

The dreamy trance of his voice ensnared her, and every argument she made escaped her now. “They did?”

“Yes, I’m sure of it.” Staring into the jewels of her eyes, his breathy voice hitched out the words that would forever haunt her as he adored his beloved and fell deeper under her wiles. “Whenever you hear it, know that I’m thinking of you.”