Of Blood and Downfall

Chapter 26.

Karden's POV:

    Aria watches Mavis across the room, her arms folded against her chest. Mavis is lounging with the group in the library. The walls are covered in books aging centuries old. Candles are lit against the walls and the ones on the tables leave dripping wax on candle holders.

The entire room is lit with an illuminous glow, Mavis certainly being one. Something deep and protective comes out from my throat when I see Damien smile at Mavis. And she returns the favor.

    "What you did was rude." I mutter to Aria, distancing ourselves from outside of the conversation since we are seated on the other couch across from the rest. My arm slung around her shoulder, brushing my fingers along her collarbone.

    Aria's glare is biting, her eyes deepening every bitter second. "From what I recalled; the game didn't end."

    "You could've taken the hint that we weren't playing anymore?" I reply with the same bite.

    Her eyes soften, glistening like shards of glass. "You're right. I'm sorry."

    I give her shoulder a squeeze, "If you want to, we can go back to my chamber—"

    "No." She listens to the group conversation about Mavis finishing school and being undecided about what career path she wants to pursue. "I want to do one last thing."

    "Which is?" I ask, uncertainty laced in my tone.

When Aiden clears his throat, voices die down and her pulls Emilia close to him. She smiles against his chest and there's a lingering grin on Mavis's lips as she watches. I want to reach for our bond, the glistening bond in her chest that she isn't burying. If only she knew.

    "Emilia and I will have a gathering tomorrow at the estate. A little celebration before the actual ceremony."

    "You two are so self-centered." Damien jokes, rolling his eyes until Aiden reaches over and shoves him.

    "Wait until you find your mate." Aiden chirps back and Damien clicks his tongue.

    "I'm waiting." He answers in return with a roll of his eyes.

    Emilia leans forward and juts her chin to Mavis. "You should come."

    Mavis purses her lips into a thin line and scratches the back of her neck. Goosebumps rise when she notices Damien staring at the center of her throat. Especially when her cheeks flush and all we can smell is her blood rushing to her face.

    "Oh, I don't know." She chokes out.

    "It'll be fun." Emilia encourages. Aria snickers at Mavis's unsure reaction, her lips quivering to find the right words. She adds, "It won't only be vampires. Our friends from the Coven will come."

    Mavis's cringes at the word. "Coven?"

    "Witches and warlocks." Issy clarifies, relief washing over mymate's face.

    "Right. Aiden and Issy told me that part." She reveals and I glance at my brother. Damien has gotten closer to her, his scent something more than hunger.

    "Which means you're coming?" My brother's mate smiles, her green eyes sweet and sincere. Mavis looks at Issy then Damien. Doesn't dare to lock eyes with me and Aria.

    Mavis gnaws her bottom lip until it becomes red. My mouth waters, thinking of sucking her lip and savoring every taste of her. The shield slowly fades when I fantasize about her, and I fight the urge to pull it back up.

    "I'll think about it." She answers, nodding to Issy. "I'll let Issy know if I come."

    Emilia falls back on the couch, "Lovely."