Beauty and Betrayal

Chapter 10 Beneath the Glamour

**Six Months Later**

**Juliette**

It all happened so fast. Too fast. I barely had time to process the whirlwind of emotions that had swallowed me whole, let alone the consequences that followed my decision that night. I was furious—blinded by a rage so deep, it burned away any rational thought. I had no idea what I had truly done, nor how it would change everything in an instant.

But even now, standing here, feeling the weight of everything that had spiraled from that moment, I wouldn't take it back.

No—my choice was mine, and I'd make it again a thousand times over, despite the chaos that trailed in its wake. I'd stand firm, just as I stood now, no matter how high the cost, until the Mother decided it was time for the end.

As long as it was with him.

I glanced toward the horizon, where the shadows seemed to creep ever closer, and I knew one thing for certain: there was no turning back. Not anymore.

**Present**
Rowan

I woke up with Juliette's arm draped across my chest, and in all my 234 years in this cursed world, nothing had ever made me feel more alive. Her warmth, her presence—it was everything. With her by my side, I would finally reclaim my Crystal, the one those wretched wizards stole from me all those years ago. I could almost taste its power again, feel it surging beneath my skin.

Carefully, I moved her hand off me, slipping out of bed without waking her. I didn't want to disturb her peaceful slumber—at least, not yet. Everything was a game to me, and I knew exactly how to play it. At first, she had been nothing more than a pawn, but now? Now, she was so much more. But as long as Cassian believed she was still just a tool, that was all I needed.

I rubbed my hand over my face, staring into the mirror. The glamour over my ears, hiding the sharp, pointed tips that marked me as something other than human, always took a toll. With a sigh, I let the glamour fall for just a moment, exposing the truth in my reflection. No one had seen me like this in almost 250 years, and I doubted anyone ever would.

"Mother above..." a soft murmur sounded behind me. I froze, turning to see Juliette standing there, her eyes wide, her small frame making her look even more fragile in the morning light. That was one of the things I adored about her—how small and delicate she seemed. But there was fire beneath the surface.

"What are you, Rowan?" she whispered, the shock evident in her voice.

I should have panicked. Anyone else would've, caught in a moment like this. But panicking wasn't my style. Instead, I smirked, leaning casually against the edge of the dresser. "Well, Princess, I'd like to say a devastatingly handsome male. But if you want the truth—biologically speaking—I'm Fae. Not so different from you, really. And there's no need to be scared, love. I don't bite... unless you ask."

I watched her carefully, the tension in the air crackling like a storm about to break. This was going to be a fun ride. For us both—or maybe just for me.

**Juliette**

"Fae," I repeated, the word foreign on my tongue, as though saying it would make it less real. There was no way. No way this could be true, no way I could believe what I was seeing. Yet, as stupid as it was, I took a step forward. Some distant, rational part of me screamed to run, to get away—but it was so faint, so easy to ignore.

Rowan looked down at me, his eyes devouring me like I was prey, a wicked gleam in them that made my heart race. What had I done to deserve this? I didn't know. But no matter how dangerous he seemed, no matter the warnings flashing in my mind, I always found myself coming back to him. And, Cauldron boil me, I loved it.

"Why didn't you tell me?" I asked, my voice sounding smaller than I wanted. A stupid question. Of course, he didn't want me to know. I cursed myself as he studied me, his gaze intense, making me shiver.

He chuckled, the sound dark and knowing. "It never came up," he said smoothly. "Luck, really, that you woke up and found me like this." He took a step closer, his lips curving into a smirk. "But I think you like me just the same. Maybe even more, Princess. Hmm, am I wrong?"

He crooned the last words, his voice a dangerous, silken whisper. And Mother save me, he was right. I looked up at him through my lashes, trying to maintain some shred of control, but the way he loomed over me, so confident, so predatory—it was intoxicating.

But I wasn't about to let him win so easily. Narrowing my eyes, I gave him a very unladylike gesture, a spark of defiance flaring up within me. Maybe I should run, maybe I should call for help. That's what the old me would've done. That's what I was supposed to do.

But I wasn't her anymore. And I didn't think I ever would be again.