Heir of Broken Fate (HOBF Book 1)

Once we return to Knox’s home against Harlow’s protests to continue searching for a dress, she surprisingly drops the matter of what I’m going to wear. Which is a relief because I was running out of excuses to give her.

After changing into more comfortable clothes for dinner I’m seated in my usual spot next to Knox and Axel, as Lenox and Harlow bicker. I’ve come to realize that this is their usual thing, teasing and taunting each other until one of them snaps. If I didn’t know any better, I would say it’s their form of foreplay, yet Harlow insists that she only views the men in Knox’s court as brothers.

“Planning to disappear again this Eclipse Ball, Harlow?” Lenox grins.

“Wouldn’t you like to know?”

Lenox shovels food into his mouth. “Believe me, I’ve heard.”

“The rest of us haven’t and we’d like to keep our appetites,” Nolan grumbles.

Perhaps that’s why he’s so grumpy—he’s constantly in the middle of their bickering.

Lenox snorts. “Like you haven’t done half the shit she’s done.”

“With the same women,” Harlow coos.

Lenox’s grin is feral. “With the tally of men and women you have on your belt, I’d say more.”Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

My gaze meets Hazel’s, both of our lips twitching as we try not to laugh.

“I’d rather not hear about your sexual indiscretions, Lenox.” Knox swirls his wine. “Again.”

“When does the ball start?” I ask.

Harlow rolls her eyes. “Not until the evening. The first half of the day is spent on rituals.” She snickers. “They act like they’re so holy—”

“They are holy,” Nolan argues.

Harlow narrows her eyes at him. “They’re not better than anyone else just because they wear robes and preach to the stars.”

“Does everyone attend the ceremonies?” I cut in.

Knox shakes his head. “It’s more for the priestesses. They honor the lunar cycle; eclipses are seen to be cherished.”

I must admit, I’m excited for the lunar eclipse. I’ve never experienced anything like it.

“Why don’t the human lands experience the yearly eclipse?” I ask.

“Magic,” Harlow sing-songs.

Knox’s jaw clenches. “The priestesses believe that it’s the moon goddess’s gift to the Fae, to those who preach to her.”

“You don’t believe that?” I ask.

The entire table goes deadly silent. No one dares move or speak. Even Hazel’s eyes widen at the energy shift. Is it improper to ask what one believes?

Knox isn’t looking at me anymore. His eyes burn a hole into his plate. “Not anymore,” he says coldly.

Harlow’s overly chipper voice rings throughout the room. “I say screw the priestesses. The ball is the best part. Eclipses are meant to be spent dancing, drinking, and fucking.”

“Preaching to the choir.” Lenox grins.

I choke on my water. I still haven’t drunk any wine here, wanting to keep a clear head at all times, but maybe at the ball I can let loose and have one or two.

Harlow groans at me. “Please don’t tell me you’re still a virgin.”

Knox snaps his head toward her, baring his canines. “Harlow.”

My cheeks heat. I’m not a virgin, far from it. I’ve had lovers over the years, but it’s openly frowned upon in the palace to talk about the topic freely.

“Is everyone in the courts as open as you?” I ask, my voice higher than usual.

“No one’s as open as Harlow,” Lenox quips.

Harlow ignores him, waving her fork at me. “Well, have you?”

Dark, rumbling power ripples through the room.

“Don’t coddle me,” I snap at Knox. “If this is how most Fae talk, I might as well get accustomed to it.” I turn to Harlow. “I’ve had lovers.”

None that were any good, I don’t add. The majority of the time, I just lay there, wishing for it to hurry up and be over. I’ve never felt the spark that the books I read tell me I should feel, and it certainly isn’t the experience I’ve read in those books either. To say my past lovers were lackluster is an understatement.

Knox’s entire body has stiffened. My stomach sinks as I realize I’ve just barked at a king. A powerful Fae king nonetheless. I don’t know what it is about Knox, but he pushes all my buttons, bringing me out of my shell that my father conditioned me to stay in. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have snapped,” I rush out.

Knox raises a hand to silence me, his words guttural as if he has to force them out. “I misread. I apologize.”

“Well, that’s good. The ball will be more interesting now,” Harlow continues.

I grimace. “These escapades aren’t happening on the ballroom floor, are they?”

The table bursts out with laughter, every one of them giggling at my words. Even Axel chokes on a laugh. Knox is silently chuckling, which is much better than the intense version of him a moment before.

“No, sweetheart, it’s not a sex club,” Harlow drawls.

I look to Hazel, relieved that I’m not the only one going red in the face.

I enter my room after dinner, happy to be alone so I can soak in the tub. Instead, I walk through the door to find a large black box tied with a white ribbon sitting on the end of my bed. Did Knox get me more doughnuts?

Picking up the box, I slowly peel the ribbon off, gasping as it falls opens.

It’s a dress.

A stunning gold dress, the same shade as my wings.

Tears well in my eyes at how beautiful it is. I rush into my changing room, slipping it on and standing in front of the mirror, taking in every intricate detail.

The dress is floor length, the bodice cupping my breasts and cinching my waist before flaring out at my hips. The ballgown skirt material is thick and heavy, the gold fabric flowing around my lower body as it swishes from side to side. A small slit down the side reveals my leg as I walk. Starting at the side of my chest, three gold chains dangle on each exposed arm, then wrap around my upper forearms to my back. The gold material glints and sparkles as the candlelight hits it.

Happiness fills my heart at the gesture.

I can’t believe Knox bought me a dress.