Prince of Ruin

Chapter Eighteen: Theodore

We spent the next hour or so playing game after game, the teams rotating each round. the worst round was Pansy, Daphne, and Coco against Blaise, Baz, and I. Mostly because we completely got our asses handed to us.

"Alright, I'm starving, I'm going to get food." I got up and walked over to Coco, kissing the top of her head, and started back towards where the tables were set up.

"Wait up, I want food." I paused to wait for Coco, as the others debated if they wanted to go back for tea and food as well.

"You two seem to be getting along better," Baz commented, handing Coco her shoes, which had been abandoned so she didn't break her ankles while playing.

"There is still a decent chance I'll kill him." she shrugged, using him for balance as she got the shoes back on. I quirked an eyebrow.

"As if you could."

In the end, everyone decided to follow along save for Blaise and Alistair, both of whom wanted to play one more game to break the even score the two of them had. Competitive bastards.

We had just stepped up when Broderick came hurrying over, an odd look on his face.

"Hey, great timing, let's go play a couple of rounds of handball."

"We just came from that, I need food." Coco slipped past him, reaching back for my hand, which I happily gave her

"I'm sure we can get the trays to come back to us-"

"Why are you being weird?" There was a trill of laughter from the tables as we headed in that direction. I gave Broderick a confused look and the one he returned was a little too unreadable.

"It's so sad, really, I feel bad. Seeing them act like they belong here." Ariella was saying. I glanced around for Jacqueline but she was nowhere to be found, maybe in the house. "They think she can snake her way into a good family and suddenly they're one of us. We all know where they came from. Genevieve Selwyn is trash and she's taught her daughter to do the same thing." Ariella was saying. Coco stiffened next to me, I placed a hand on her lower back.

"It's pathetic." Someone else agreed. Behind me, Baz made a sound I'd never heard from him before. Something between a growl and a snarl.

"That's not true, Ariella." Natalie Travers argued. Her eyes flicked up behind Ariella's head, widening when she saw us all standing there. Ariella turned to follow her gaze and gave us all a once-over.

"Oh, I didn't hear you come up." She smiled sweetly. "Lovely party isn't it?"

I clenched my jaw, my hands balling into fists at my side. My eyes flicked over to Coco, who was taking deep breaths. As she opened her mouth, I jumped in. She spent enough time defending herself, it was my turn.

"Ariella. I think it's time you leave." I decided

"Excuse me?" She scoffed.

"Leave," I repeated. "Get out before I escort you out. I don't care who your parents are or what kind of lady you believe yourself to be. Leave." I unbuttoned the cuffs of my shirt and began to roll up the sleeves. I needed something- anything- to focus on other than what had just been said.

"I'm not going anywhere."

"So be it." I crossed the garden to the table of people who had been gossiping. "I want all of you to hear this, loud and clear without a single question. Cordelia is my wife. the Selwyns are now my family. they belong here far more than any of you. From the moment of our marriage, any slight against the Selwyns has become a slight against me." I glanced back at the Selwyns, the look on Coco's face left my chest feeling hollow. Angry Coco was normal, I could handle it when she was angry but when she was upset when I could see the threat of tears. It was all I could do to keep control and not hex Ariella Warrington right here in front of everyone.