Those vows were being tested now. Just how serious about them was I?
If I took off this ring, all those promises went with it…
Even if those promises were already broken.
Chapter Four
AVA-MARIE
To go through with my plan, I needed to conceal my identity. No one could know who I was, or this would never work.
Alistair had all kinds of potions. I knew there was one I could take to use as a disguise. I checked his room and found it deserted. I didn’t know where he was or what he was doing at this time of night. He should be here.
It was in my favor that he wasn’t. I rummaged through his cupboard, searching for a potion that had a base of fern seed and a mix of glamour herbs.
I found it easily, because he had a whole stash of at least twelve or so. It gave me pause. What was Alistair doing with all these disguise potions, and why did he need so many?
He must’ve made a bunch for all of us, just in case we needed them for a mission where we needed to hide our identities. Like that would ever happen again. Any chance of our friends working together again was done-zo.
I shook the potion to mix the ingredients. This potion applied a slight glamour once taken. I’d still look like myself, but it would change my features so any onlookers wouldn't realize I was the princess.
I returned to the Ladies’ Court with the potion in hand. Eldin was standing guard near the bedroom where I’d left her. She noticed the potion in my hand, but remained expressionless.
“Eldin, I want to go back into the city.”
She raised an eyebrow, as if she knew exactly what I was thinking. “But princess?—”
“Do as I say! Don’t ask questions,” I snapped. “Now help me dress.”
I hated speaking to her like that. I didn’t want to boss her around and give orders, treat her like a servant instead of a friend.
But I also didn’t want her to comfort me, or convince me not to do this. If I was an asshole, I could push her away, and she’d stay safe from me. This was a mob, so I’d act like a mob boss’s wife and be a fucking dick. They wanted me to play this role so badly, so I would for as long as I was forced to put up with it.
Eldin fell silent at my orders. She helped me into a slim black dress that clung to my figure. It was an outfit that Charlie loved on me, but I knew other guys would like it just as much as he did. I curled my hair and did my makeup, brushing perfume into my locks before I downed the potion. Eldin watched me, her expression unflinching as the potion morphed my features into ones that would be unrecognizable. I ordered her to change into street clothes before I was satisfied we wouldn’t be recognized.
“Let’s go.” We proceeded toward the palace garage, where I easily found my car. I kept scanning the area around me for a night shift of guards, a late-night scan of the perimeter, something.
There weren’t any. For fuck’s sake, I figured this would be harder. How absolutely boring this was. I’d been looking forward to some kind of fight, even without my magic, to be dragged off punching and screaming, but nope. I could host a party in the gardens right now and I wouldn’t get caught. Maybe, deep down, I wanted someone to stop me.
But I guess I didn’t give a shit about that anymore, because I was leaving this family, the monarchy, all of it, and I was letting the Warden win by having the world. I didn’t want to fight in this war anymore. Trying had only resulted in me slaying my own people, so I might as well just give up and give in.
Eldin took us into the city. She drove my car around the few city streets that were still clean, until I saw one of the only nightclubs in the area that was still open.
“Stop here.” Eldin pulled in front of the nightclub, and she got my chair out. Before I went inside, I turned to Eldin.
“Park the car. Make sure it’s hidden. You’re not to speak of this to anyone, understand? Wait in the car until I call you to pick me up.”
“Yes, princess.” Eldin nodded, then drove away.
She was such a loyal guard. At least I could depend on somebody.
I entered the nightclub, looking around. It was sparse inside, as most of the Elves around the city were either helping to clean up or looking for loved ones, but there were a few groups of supernaturals littered around the place.
I needed to find a guy that wasn’t a psycho. Just a normal, safe man who was looking for a one-night stand. I wasn’t sure how many of those guys existed, but there had to be at least one in this bar, right?
I was a woman who’d entered a bar by myself, so I knew I wouldn’t be alone for long. I needed to find my target. I scanned the room, observing the flashing lights as the low thrum of the bass bounced against my ribcage. The dance floor was practically empty, but the bar itself was pretty busy. Maybe I could?—
“I’m not interested. Get lost, loser.” A female voice by a pool table caught my attention. A mermaid girl and her friend had been cornered by a big, hulking shifter, who looked like he wanted to eat them more than take them on a date.
