Darkness and Beauty (The Fated Series, #1)

Chapter 17 - Darius - Lily

Heathens burn me.
You know the stories you hear of ugly or deformed people who meet witches or their fairy godmothers, and then they end up getting a whole transformation from fugly to drop-dead gorgeous? And then when their family or friends or just people, in general, see how beautiful they've become and are speechless, and they don't know what in the world they're supposed to do now?
Well, that's exactly how I feel looking at Clarice right now - not that she was fugly, heathens I couldn't even see her most of the time with her cloak and dark suit. But seeing her in the mint green gown that fits perfectly around her chest and waist, and then opening up over her hips...It's not like the big ballgowns I have no doubt others are wearing. It only has a few layers surrounding her legs, shimmering in the moonlight when she walks.
It's...she's...and her lips...
Gods save me from idiocy.
I look into her eyes before she can catch me looking at her lips even though I'm pretty sure she already caught me. I've seen her eyes before but lined in the lace mask, they looked different. A glance at Garrison and the others and I know I'm not the only one amazed at her transformation. Malen's mouth is practically hitting the ground, and Alister and Bernard's eyes are popping out of their heads. Garrison's the only one who looks mildly surprised at Clarice.
"When did you get boobs?" All our heads snap to Gabriel. Clarice may be dressed in a gown and looks less threatening without blades on every inch of her, but she's still the Ebony. She'll still kick his ass.
Before I can tell Gabriel to shut up, Henry smacks him in the back of the head.
"Told you," Katarina whispers from behind Clarice. I'm not sure what that means, but from the tightening in Clarice's jaw, I can tell I shouldn't get involved.
"Anyways, if you're all done gawking and staring at the boobs which I've had since I was thirteen-" Gabe's mouth snaps shut "-then we should head to this so-called party." An awkward silence breaks out. I'm not sure whether to laugh at my friends because they're shifting on their feet uncomfortably, or laugh at how uncomfortable Clarice is.
Gabriel mumbles something, but I'm not close enough to hear it. Whatever it was, it must've been bad because both Henry and Ethan slap him this time, and Osiris looks like he's debating knocking Gabriel out. Before Clarice decapitates Gabriel, I gently - because I don't want to lose my head - hook my arm into hers and begin walking away.
"Come darling, we have people to con," I say with as much courage as I can muster which is down right next to nothing.
Thankfully, she gives little resistance and lets me pull her away from the reach of Gabriel's three brain cells. "Try anything, and I'll cut off your favorite part," she warns.
My nerves are racking up with each step closer to the western end of the King's Garden, and when my nerves are getting to me, I become a smart ass who can't keep his mouth shut. "My favorite part of me or my favorite part of you, because in that case, it's all too tempting."
"Your favorite part of me is based on my change in clothing," she retorts evenly.
I refrain from telling her that my favorite part of her is actually her mouth, and it's not because she painted her lips. I liked her unwavering ability to use it even when I couldn't see it, and that just seems so weird and creepy, so I don't say that and let her have her perverse thoughts about me instead.
"But to be clear," she continues. "If you do something stupid, then I'll ensure that you'll lose your ability to have an heir. Capiche?"
Malen leans toward me as they all make quick work of joining us. "I believe she's referring to your favorite part of you." I shove his head away.
I feel her slowly relax as Garrison, Osiris, and Alister take their spots walking in front of us, Ethan at her side, Malen at mine, and the rest forming three lines behind us. Everywhere we go there's some kind of formation Garrison has them in. When we're going hunting, they form two circles around me. Riding through town means what I call "Cupid's Arrow," because six of them form a circle around me while three of them line up at the head of the circle, and the other three at the rear. Garrison loves making up formations for them to surround me in, but this time he didn't really have a choice.
After cleaning up for tonight, I found all twelve of them eating away at sweet bread and tarts in my receiving room. Vlad was the one to fill me in on the changes which Clarice and her brother are now implementing. I was as angry as them at first, but then he kept explaining their reasons and I mellowed out. They had a similar reaction from what I could tell. They wanted to set something on fire not for the reason that two people waltzed into the castle and were making our heads spin, but because it's actually a good idea.
They're right, again, but it still makes me mad that she didn't tell me about any of it three days ago. I'm happy that they're taking protecting me and my family seriously, but they could at least give a heads-up before flipping our world on its side. I was going to yell at her for it just now, but I'm distracted at the moment, and it doesn't seem like the right time to do so.
"I wasn't going to hurt him," Clarice says through her teeth.
I blink in confusion for a second before realizing that she's referring to Gabe's earlier risky statement. A small smile rises on my cheeks at her obvious lie. She was definitely going to sock him.
I tap her hand still on my arm. "Let us not say things we don't mean, Lily." She scowls sidelong at me. Whether from the name or the idea that I knew she was lying, I'm not sure, but if I'm being weirdly honest, I kind of like her scowl. It's so at odds with the delicacy of the mask she's wearing. 
Lily is the name we settled on calling her since we couldn't use Clarice or her actual name. Though, to be fair, it was her idea, and she came up with it pretty quickly, so who's to say that isn't her real name? Her brother did look at her strangely when she suggested it. It's like they had that silent conversation that I usually have with her, only I couldn't read what they were saying. Looking at her now, Lily doesn't seem to suit her. Of course I'm sure that everyone else will believe her, but since I know who she really is and how she acts, Lily seems to be the complete opposite of that.
Letting my thoughts slip away, we turn the corner of the western wall. The sound of soft music fills my ears, accompanied by distant conversations. The willow behind the crowd has lights circling its branches, lighting up the leaves. It reminds me so much of Grandmother Adeline and how her love lit a warmth inside me that I haven't felt in a long time. If only the fireflies were the ones to make the browning leaves shine gold.
As we draw closer to the crowd I can see all their heads slowly turn to us. I'm used to being stared at, being the Crown Prince and all, but these stares are different. They're not just looking at me and the guards, but now Clarice/Lily. Their eyes drift from me to our linked arms, and then twice over her. Katarina and Thomas did a really nice job finding matching attire for us in such little time. I was hesitant to put on the lighter shade of green jacket with gold stitching and appliques. Thomas said that it made me look soft and approachable. I made it clear that I didn't want to be approached by anyone. I'm not entirely sure how he did it, but here we are. I think it's because of the wool lining the jacket. During colder nights like this, wool is a savior. Makes me wonder how Clarice isn't even the least bit chilly, but I suppose the velvet fabric helps.
I can feel myself tensing as we get closer. Normally, I can put on a smile and fake my way through the night, but the possibility of the plan failing really has me on edge. The number of times I've snuck out or pulled a prank on a servant, or Aracely, or one of the guys, I had this adrenaline rush and didn't feel worried about the consequences. But this plan and the amount of details that went into this...well, nothing I've ever done has prepared me for this. And what's my mother going to say when she finds out?
Fauna's hand tightens on my arm, drawing my attention. "Darius you look like you're walking to the execution block. Relax." Despite her soft tone, Clarice's words aren't doing much help. "Look, just imagine that I'm just another one of your girlfriends. Remember the backstory we talked about earlier?" I nod. "Well, act as if it really happened. Act as if you think I'm the most beautiful girl in the world and you love me so much that you can't imagine living without me."
The second part sounds easy. I mean did you not hear what I was thinking two minutes ago? The first part about the acting, well that is going to take the best of my acting skills. I glance at Malen beside me and find him smirking.
Yeah, laugh all you want. You'd probably be pissing yourself if you were in my shoes right now, asshole.
As we get close to the edge of the crowd Garrison falls back, taking his place behind my shoulder and Vladimir comes up behind Clarice's. The rest of them drift off to take their spots among the other castle guards closest to the crowd, and Thomas and Katarina flank Garrison and Vlad. It's moments like this that make me think I'm more of a badass than I am. Wouldn't you if people moved seamlessly and theatrically around you?
In need of some drinks, I steer us to the wine table lined in half a dozen bowls, each with a different concoction. I have no idea where my father gets the amount of variety, nor who is in charge of making such things. All I know is that they always taste so damn good.
I pick up a glass, fill it with a red-colored liquid, and then hand it to Clarice. If I'm going to be attempting to pull this off, I'm going to need something to keep my mind from racing. She takes it with an unnervingly believable, sweet smile that has me pausing for a moment and takes a sip. Pouring myself the same drink, I watch as she skims the crowd of people which I can still feel staring.
Don't you have something more interesting to stare at!
Not really, says my conscious.
Still feeling like my chest is caving in, I step around her and turn my back to the gossip-enthralled people. She lifts a delicate brow but says nothing, her eyes skimming past my shoulders with narrowed eyes. "I'm not sure if I want to know what's going through your head right now," I say in a semi-low voice. I drain half of my glass.
"Oh, you know." She shrugs a casual shoulder. "The usual."
"And that is?"
Her simple smile curves further into something mischievous and takes a step closer to me, her eyes pointedly darting over my own attire. It's a part of the act, I tell myself. Go with it. Cause the heavens know I don't need an act to make googly eyes. That dress is still a curse I'd rather not lose my favorite part over.
"Who my competition is," she replies all too sweetly. Her free hand drifts to my jacket collar and I try not to shudder at her touch. The most touching we've done before this is when she's punching, kicking, or twisting my limbs until I yield during training. This is an entirely different kind of touching, and Gods I can't tell if this is fun or terrifying.
The wine must be kicking in though because my hands don't shake nor does my chest feel so tingly in a bad way anymore. That, and the fact that a smile actually graces my face, or that I have the stupidest confidence to ask, "Who could ever compare to my Waterlily?"
"Tramp." Her eyes narrow again, only it's her challenging look.
"Just for reference..." I step dangerously close to her, keeping my eyes on hers for safety reasons. "Would this be considered doing something stupid?" I watch her eyes track my hand as I raise it to a curled strand that had fallen forward earlier and tuck back behind her ear. Her hair is indescribably soft. It takes a large amount of effort to not let my fingers linger on it for longer than the simple movement requires. I don't think she even breathes until my hand falls back to my side. I don't even think that I breathe.
"There's a rather large difference between my hair and my unmentionables, Darius." Behind her Kat smothers a snort with the back of her hand. Clarice is getting a kick out of my poor attempt to unsettle her, but I've learned to not give up so easily thanks to her stubborn behavior.
With the close proximity I put us both into, it doesn't take more than a bend of my waist to bring my mouth close to her ear. This close to her I can smell something sweet tangled around her. Cinnamon, I think.
"And what happens if my lips replace my hands?" I whisper so low that only she can hear. She tilts her head to answer but stops when my free hand traces the small strap to her dress over her collarbone.
I am playing a dangerous, dangerous game. And I might just like it.
"Go ahead." She turns her head toward mine fully, and at this angle, there's no more than a breath's distance separating our lips from touching. "Though-" her voice hums with something scorching and lucid, turning my stomach into knots "-I believe your hands can offer more pleasure than your lips."
I blink.
"However, I can't say the same for my tongue."
My eyes drop to her mouth. A buzzing warm sensation takes root in my hips, a feeling I'm not even the slightest bit familiar with. It curls and rolls like a snake coiling in on itself as her bottom lip finds its way between her teeth and slowly slips out of them.
I should step back or at least lean away and restore the very appropriate distance between us, but even when her lip is free and there's nothing left but that teasing smile of hers, I can't seem to do it.
"Forgive my intrusion, My Prince," I sensed Gregory walking toward us a while ago, no doubt Clarice did too. I was hoping this little...display would make him change his mind, but as always, Gregory is blind to such things. "I was wondering if I may ask of your most stunning companion's name?"
Clarice's eyes never left my face as he spoke, and it was only because she raised an expectant brow that I finally got a hold of my body and straightened my spine. My feet, however, stay firmly put.
Gregory's a handful. He's basically Vandaria's gossip King. If you've heard a rumor, legend, or prophecy, Gregory knows it. He somehow manages to get invited or sneak into every party at the castle and always comes to sniff around the court. Ever since I've turned of age to marry, Gregory has been on my ass like bees on honey. It's annoying, and I'm this close to telling him to go shove his nose up someone else's ass.
Sadly my mother would kill me if I ever did say such a thing. I can hear her disapproval now.
Turning nothing but my head in his direction, I plaster on the fakest smile I've ever summoned onto my face. That feeling in my hips doesn't quite disappear all the way, but I ignore it. "You may, Gregory."
He smiles that ridiculous too wide smile of his that shows off all of his teeth. It's the smile of my nightmares, as are his dark eyes and too pale skin. He always dresses in finely made clothing, but that doesn't do much to hide his gangly form. If his hair weren't so dark then he'd be the spitting image of a fucking Skinwalker.
"Lily," Clarice provides, bowing her head slightly. Her kind behavior is entirely unsettling.
"Lily." Here we go. "The flower symbolizes chastity and virtue. How suiting for you, Darius."
I have to bite my tongue to keep me from retorting back. Clarice, it seems, doesn't have such control. "Yes, well the flower does mean devotion. So I'd say it suits him perfectly in my experience."
Now I have to bite my tongue to keep me from laughing. Clarice putting her arm around my waist and pinching playfully doesn't help either. Again, the touching is new and...strange, even after the near lip touching.
"You let her speak so freely with such a snake like tongue, Darius." The corners of her mouth pinch with the effort to not repeat her earlier comment.
I think her reckless behavior is beginning to rub off on me because I step closer to her and say, "I rather like her tongue. Though I do prefer it be close to my own if you know what I mean."
"Unfortunately, I do." His nose scrunches with clear disdain. I think that's the first time I've seen him be disgusted by a piece of what he so happily searches for. "If you'll excuse me." He at least bows to me before walking off, a tight line for a smile.
"You bring out the worst in me, darling," I tell her, straining to keep myself from bursting out in laughter.
"No, I simply pave the way for you to speak your mind freely."