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15ALDRIC
The journeyto the Demon Isle had been more than worth it. Not only because I was able to gather an army of Sirens prepared to unleash hell at my command.
The sight of Theon’s open-mouthed shock as our ship reached the glass beach was icing on the cake.
I waited, Dawn alongside me on the deck, until the Sirens disembarked. Was it wrong, this delicious sense of superiority? Finally proving that the Demon Isle did, in fact, exist. That I was right all along. The smug, preening fool, watched in speechless wonder as dozens of scaled Sirens gathered on the beach, awaiting my command.
Mine.
He would never command them, though he might believe he would through his husband.
A husband who stood beside him, though might as well have been miles away. Theon wore a glassy eyed expression, as if he couldn't see the creatures gathering around him, couldn't see the ship rising up from the bloody waves. I strode across the glass, leading my maiden on her chain. She was still too jumpy and unpredictable, even after I’d allowed her to dress once our business was finished. I couldn't risk allowing her to go free.
“You appear surprised, Brother” I laughed. “I told you I would deliver. Perhaps from now on, you'll be more inclined to believe what I say.”
“How?” Theon looked around at the ship, the Sirens, and at Jett. “I only returned to the castle and hadn't been there for more than a minute before I got word of the approach of your ship.”
“Who am I to say how time works on the Isle? It's enough for me that you now understand this is real.”
I glanced at Jett, who was no closer to comprehending the situation than he'd been before. I went back through our confrontation in the throne room, recalling the way he'd behaved. He’d sounded strong and confident enough, every inch the king.
But he'd also licked his lips compulsively. He'd trembled and shivered, hadn't he? At the time, I hadn't thought much of it. There was far too much at stake, too much on my mind.
The stakes were no lower now, but I had the added benefit of witnessing Dawn's behavior during our crossing of the Bay. Her twitching and scratching at herself. It seemed she was never still, not entirely. If she wasn't rocking back and forth or fidgeting somehow, her eyes were darting around, her tongue traveling over her lips.
It didn't surprise me she was addicted to my bite. I had fed from her time and again during our travels, and it had been my bite alone that convinced her to follow me into the Bay without fighting. She was weak for me, under my control.
Now, I saw the truth of Jett’s condition. He was addicted, as well. Did Theon know? If he did, was he using the addiction to his advantage? I could only imagine he was. After all, anyone with eyes could see how he fawned over his Fae lover. Theon might have made him a king, but any king with self-respect would demand their mate stop pawing at them while in the presence of a potential adversary.
Yet Jett had allowed it, had even seemed to welcome Theon’s nearness. For Theon was the only source of his fulfillment, the only peace he could be offered while in the grips of thirst that could never quite be quenched.
“I admit, I'm at a bit of a loss.” Theon was every inch the jovial king, always one to act like everyone was there because of him. He was the star of the show, at least in his own mind. “But I would like to welcome you to Syn.”
He turned to Jett, his smile wide and brows lifting in expectation. He expected his husband to mirror his energy, to behave the way he believed the king should. Anyone could see the child was in no condition. Perhaps infatuation—or self-importance—had blinded my brother to the truth of what his mate had become.
When all Jett could do was stare, Theon let out an indulgent chuckle. “My husband, King Jett, is clearly overwhelmed. I forget at times how young and inexperienced he is with diplomatic matters.”
Truly, the man knew how to shovel shit with a smile.
I had to get Jett alone. If he was so deep in the grip of addiction, I might be able to use him for my own purposes. It didn't matter where the bite came from. Only that it came.
Theon led the way up to the castle, prattling on about hospitality and how he planned to demonstrate appreciation toward his guests.
I raised my voice to be heard over his empty words. “You are the King of Syn. You ought to show them the city. Let them see how it's flourished under your control, along with King Jett’s assistance.”
He stopped and turned around, his smile radiant. “An excellent idea. Yes, I would like to show you around. Perhaps you might tell me about your home, and how it compares.”
In other words, he needed flattery. That was always his weakness, hence the reason for my encouraging him to show off a bit. I needed him distracted, out of my way.
Rather than allow Jett to follow blindly, I outstretched an arm, holding him in place. Theon, consumed by his guests, didn't notice. And Jett, naturally, was too dazed to express anything more than confusion at his progress being barred.
Rather than follow the crowd, I led him and my maiden up to the castle.
“What are we doing?” It was the first time Dawn had spoken since we'd disembarked.
“There's something I wish to discuss with you both,” I said.
When she made a sound like she was about to protest, one sharp look from me closed her mouth. She needed me too desperately to risk my wrath. Jett, meanwhile, seemed reluctant but had no choice. I would have thrown him over my shoulder and carried him if it came to that.
