Of Blood and Downfall

Chapter 41.

Karden's POV:

As I talk to family members with Aria, I know she has arrived. With the help with Damien, he was able to escort her as his own. I turn when there's a few mumbling voices about a human walking into the ballroom.

Aria and I both turn and there is Mavis, in the gown I requested. She looks stunning, extravagantly beautiful in the updo and low cut dress. It fits her perfectly, better than the tailored dress I gave her for the show.

"She really came." Aria mutters, watching Mavis walk to the bar with my brother.

The barman smiles at her and turns to make her a drink meanwhile my brother talks to her to keep her occupied. I am across the loud room to not know what they are talking about.

"She looks beautiful." My mother says, her eyes fixated on my mate. Aria's gaze flickered to her, but I don't respond. I know that she's beautiful.

"Karden," Aria calls and I blink, realizing I've been staring for too long. "Can you fix my dress?" She picks up her hair and holds it against her head. Turning, she has her back to me and I undo the halter strap of her dress. I tie it for her again even though it wasn't loose.

Her scent has changed.

When I finish, I clasp a hand on her shoulder, and she drops her hair that spills down in loose curls. Adjusting the front of her gown, I stare at her orbs darkening and her fangs have lengthened between her slightly parted red lips.

"Aria," I inform her before she walks away. "Don't do anything idiotic tonight." I warn, my voice deep and threatening.

Aria's eyes narrow to me and she says with a tight smile, "Didn't know the human cared so much to you."

Grinding my jaw, Aria leaves and approaches a group of women from our friend group. They begin talking about where they purchased their gowns and I shut out their voices, strolling across the room to my brother and Mavis.

Damien turns first because he hears my faint footsteps then Mavis, her mouth around a straw as she drinks. Her eyes widen and she looks down at the navy suit and tie I am wearing.

"Don't stare too long." Damien grins at Mavis, taking a sip of his whiskey. "You're my date tonight and my brother looks like he wants to devour you."

"I do." I answer without thinking and Mavis removes the straw from her mouth and puts the glass down on the counter. Her cheeks have turn rosy and a scent has appeared. Damien notices and he stiffens when Mavis averts her gaze to the ground.

"This is embarrassing." She mutters and I chuckle.

The barman already knows what I drink and hands me a glass. I finish it in one gulp and Mavis glances away when I catch her staring.

"Don't feed her to the wolves, brother." I inform Damien when the live music stops and there is an announcement. I turn to Mavis, reaching for her hand and kissing her knuckles. "You look lovely Mavis."

"You look well cleaned up too, Karden." She mutters, blood rushing to her entire face. I grin when I drop her hand and we turn to the entrance of the ballroom.

Both of my parents walk out hand in hand and then Emilia's. We all clap and cheer until Aiden comes out with his mate. They are so well together, it makes me happy my brother has found her. Emilia twirls in his arms and she leans back when he kisses her.

A few of their friends whistle and yelp with joy. Mavis is clapping with them when they make their way around the ballroom. When they settle down and greet family members, we all walk to sit at a table.

Looking up, Aria pulls the empty chair beside me and sits down. She plops a plate full of food that we barely take down ourselves. I furrow my brows, keeping a neutral face when I glance at Mavis and Damien.

Damien grins, "Is that for Mavis?" He jokes and I give him a warning stare but Aria looks at Mavis and rolls her eyes.

"She has legs to walk to the buffet."

"That's rude, you're talking to my date." Damien says, wrapping an arm around Mavis although she has an unpleasant look on her face.

"How sweet." She rolls her eyes and grins at me. "I thought I'd bring some decent food to that warlock you have locked downstairs in the dungeon."

"Sam?" Mavis spills between her painted lips and Aria widens her eyes to Mavis.

She's playing a game I don't like.

"You know him?" Aria asks my mate and Mavis shakes her head.

"Um, kind of, we've bumped into each other a few times."

She smiles, "That's crazy because...I actually called him to come here."

Mavis's POV:

Aria smiles, her lips curling with a dark glimmer in her eyes, "That's crazy because...I actually called him to come here." I go still and Aria places a tight hand on Karden's shoulder. "And he told me that you're his girlfriend."

"What are you talking about Aria?" Karden plays stupid but I am sick of everything being sugar coated. Especially since this woman has no idea what she's talking about.

"How did you reach contract with Sam?"

She runs a nail along the rim of Karden's drink, "It's not hard to find someone that's to social media." She winks at me, and I push my chair back, but Damien lays a hand on my thigh to stop me from rising.

She notices and tilts her head, "Let her Damien. I like a little cat fight."

I grind my teeth together when her canines drop to fangs.

"What the fuck did you tell him?" I ask, trying to control the heaviness on my chest.

"Oh, nothing crazy just that you were fooling around with the Du Pont family and that he should grab his whore girlfriend before more blood is spilled."

"Aria." Karden growls in a warning, his eyes never leaving her hard face.

"Him being a warlock was even better because he already knew what we were. As well as had a feeling you did too."

I frown, "You might as well release him since you were the one who brought him here."

"I didn't tell him to get all violent." She chuckles and I raise my brows.

"Well, he got violent with your finance because Karden was the first one to come save me." I tell her and Damien clears his throat and Karden's glare snaps to me with disbelief. "How about get a taste of that." I add, standing up to finding Issy in the crowd of people chatting with one another.

I know I set Karden up but I wasn't going to let Aria step all over me and look like an idiot. Most importantly wasn't going to feed into her words. When I find Issy, she pulls me into a hug and begins complimenting me but I am too busy looking at the table I left from.

Aria says nothing but stands, grabbing the plate and leaving the ballroom. I wonder if that's where she's going...to Sam. I wonder where he is and if he is well enough to talk. I wouldn't want him dead but I want to persuade him to stop what he wanted to start.

After a half an hour, Aria was back beside Karden, giving him the cold shoulder as they surround their friends. The music stops and Aiden and Emilia begin their blood oath ceremony.

From afar, Karden and I exchange glances and when Aiden and Emilia finish with the tying of the bonded ribbon and everybody is cheering once again...

I fade into the crowd and out the ballroom, in search of the hidden dungeons.

~*~
Uh oh, why Mavis.
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