Prince of Ruin

Chapter Eleven: Coco

I couldn't have asked for a better wedding night.

After Baz had abandoned me to go for the Stag night with Theodore and his friends, something I technically had encouraged my brother to do, I got to work.

My package from the apothecary had been tucked away for the past two weeks, the Bilton Nettles. The nettles, when ingested would cause paralysis and, with enough of it, could cause organ failure. I wasn't trying to kill Theodore- not yet, I just wanted to give myself another night without his hands on me.

Were there moments where I thought maybe I shouldn't? No. I processed the nettles to extract their essence which I infused into a lip gloss. I rarely wore lip gloss but I didn't think anyone would think twice about that. I knew as long as I didn't lick my lips I would be okay, it would just sting a little. Ingesting it was what caused issues.

I applied it right before Baz walked me down the aisle and I remained silent as it felt like tiny needles pricking at my lips. Finally, it was time to kiss the bride.

it couldn't have gone better if I had personally directed it. Theodore kissed me with all the enthusiasm that he had at my office, ingesting enough of the lipgloss to do what I wanted. I wiped the stinging gloss off as soon as I could and watched as my husband fell to the ground.

Pansy screamed. Of course, she did. People rushed to save Theodore, he would be fine, probably. and I walked out of the church, skipping the party that I knew wouldn't be happening with my husband in the hospital and I went to the hotel.

It was amazing, there were chocolate-covered strawberries, champagne, and someone- I assume one of Theodore's friends had sent a bottle of whiskey to the room. I ordered room service. It was a great time.

The next morning I had to go not to my home, but to the Nott home. Which was where I would, unfortunately, be living from now on.

I apparated there, the half-finished bottle of whiskey in hand, and was led up to the room I would be sharing with Theodore by one of the family's house elves.

the suite, rather.

Theodore had a large sitting room with a roaring fire, there were built-in bookshelves on either side of the fireplace, and in front of it were a couple of chairs as well as a coffee table that held an in-progress game of Wizards chess. I studied the board and shook my head. I was by no means an expert in the game but even I could tell the person playing black was winning.

I headed for the bedroom, it was just as dark as the sitting room with black bedding, and a huge four-poster bed, made of rich dark wood, there were two wardrobes, I assumed one was mine. I went to the first one and opened it up. It wasn't a muggle wardrobe where it could only hold so many clothes- it was a wizarding wardrobe, it opened up into a whole walk-in closet. this one had to be his though, as it was full of black clothes. I opened the other and sure enough, was greeted with my own clothes hung up in the walk-in space.

The bathroom was just as luxurious, My toiletries had already been brought over and I was eyeing the massive claw foot tub with interest. I had bubble bath around here somewhere, as well as candles- oh I was going to have a good night.

I kind of regretted not making the dosage on the gloss a little higher- then maybe he'd be staying in St Mungoes for two nights instead of one.

When I had done a full tour of the room, I headed out into the greater house to get a feel for my new home.

I wandered the halls, letting my fingertips brush the walls in the dim hallways. All the lights were lit, but somehow everything still felt incredibly dark and oppressive. The halls were lined with art, but none of it seemed- organic. It all felt painfully curated as if the feel of the house was meant to be dark and cold and manufactured.