5 Years Later [16+]

Warning: Advised for folks 16 and older. DON'T EXPECT SMUT YA NASTIES!

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5 years later

They've never found the body of the first and only boy who broke my heart.

And they never will.

I buried Jason Desano in a hole so deep, even the devils of the earth couldn't reach him.

My dream was of him, of the day he told me it had been fun but he was done. Some other girl had caught his fancy. I don't even remember her name. At the time, all I could think of was the fact that I'd given everything to Jason: my first kiss, my love, my body.

We had escaped together to a small rebel village that had been good enough to give us refuge. I thought maybe we could start up a rebellion and take Death down.

But who knew, he had only used me.

When I told him I loved him, all he had to say was "Thanks, but I think it's time we moved on."

He had other things to say, too. When I sank my knife into his chest, words came spilling out of him almost as fast as the blood.

He couldn't make sense of it. I couldn't, either. I barely remembered grabbing the knife I had packed in the duffel bag, jewelled with a silver sheen, but I do remember that Jason's blood matched the inlaid rubies.

I also remember what finally helped my head catch up with my pounding heart: the last word out of Jason's lips.

Loralie.

His last word was my name. His last thought was of me.

I won.

That knowledge settles within me now just as it did five years ago. That sense of rightness, of peace.

I had returned to the palace begging for forgiveness. Naive of me, I know that, but I don't think I had any other choice. Especially since I didn't have any powers. It had been long before I could gain Death's trust, but I did it.

I didn't get back my powers, but at least I am alive.

I am mortal now as well since I don't have my powers anymore.

I lift my arms into the air, stretching like a cat, before rolling over in bed.

A pair of brown eyes is only inches from my own.

"Devils, Lowell, why are you staring at me?" I ask.

He presses a kiss to my bare shoulder. "Because you're beautiful." Lowell lies on his side, his head propped up on a closed fist. My bedsheets cover him from the waist down. It's a wonder he fits in my bed, he's so tall. Floppy curls sprawl across his forehead, and he flicks back his head to clear his vision. The scent of sandalwood and sweat wafts over me.

With a hand, I keep the sheets held up over my chest as I rise to a sitting position. "Last night was fun, but you should go. I have much to do today."

Lowell stares at my chest, and I roll my eyes.

"Perhaps again later?" I ask.

He looks up at me before his eyes flit meaningfully to my chest once more.

No, wait. Not my chest. To the hand holding the sheets in place and the extra weight I now feel there.

There's a diamond on my finger. It's beautiful, cut in an egg shape and buried in gold. It winks in the morning light as I tilt my hand from side to side. The ring is by far the most expensive trinket he's ever given me.

"Loralie Kensington, I love you. Will you marry me?"

Laughter fills the room, and Lowell flinches at it. I quickly place my free hand over my lips.

"What are you thinking?" I say a moment later. "Of course not." I stare down at the gorgeous ring once more. With this gift, Lowell has outlived his usefulness. For some reason, my lovers cease to give me expensive presents once I turn down their proposals.

Alas.

"But we're so happy together," he says. "I will cherish you every day. Give you everything you deserve. I will treat you like a princess."

If only he knew I have my sights set a bit higher than that.

"It's a very kind offer, but I'm not ready to settle down just yet."

"But—I've shared your bed," he splutters.

Yes, he and three other boys this month.

"And now it's time for you to leave it." I move to rise from the bed when the door to my chambers bursts open.

Lowell freezes with his hand outstretched toward me, and my father, Death, looks down at what he can see of our naked bodies.

"Leave," he bites out in a deathly quiet voice. Lowell tries to take the sheets with him, but I've got them firmly clamped around myself. When he fails to wrest them from me, he reaches down to grab his pants.

"Leave now," Father specifies.

"But—"

"Listen or I will have you whipped!"

Lowell stands. Barely. He hunches as though he can hide his tall frame. He makes it halfway to the door before turning.

"My ring?"

"Surely you want me to keep it? So I can remember our time together?"

Lowell's face twists. He has one foot pointed toward the door and the other toward me.

Death growls.

Lowell takes off at a run, nearly tripping over my father's boots as he bolts over the threshold. Once he's gone, Death turns to me.

"You make it difficult for me to find you a suitable match when you're caught with a new bedfellow every night."

"Don't be ridiculous. That was Lowell's fifth stay."

I almost laugh sarcastically, I wasn't like this five years ago. Not at all. So much has changed.

Five years ago, I wouldn't have any man near me.

"Loralie! You must stop this. It is time for you to grow up. To settle down."

"Has Jessica found a husband, then?" Death knows very well the law forbids me to marry until my younger sister who is a pure descendant does. There is an order to things.

Death treads over to the bed. "The Shadow King has dismissed several single women from the palace, Jessica among them. I'd hoped your sister would catch his eye, rare beauty that she is."

Oh, yes. Jessica is a rare beauty. And she's as dumb as a rock.

"But it was not to be," Death concludes.

"Lowell's free," I offer.

Death levels a glare at me. "She will not marry a dumbass like him. Besides Lowell is not of the rebel kingdoms. I have made arrangements already. He's an ageing man who wants a pretty girl on his arm. It's done. That means it's your turn."

Finally.

"You've suddenly taken an interest in my future, have you?" I ask, just to be difficult.

"I've always had your best interests in mind."

A complete untruth. The only time Death bothers to think of me is when he catches me doing something he thinks I shouldn't.

Five years ago, he didn't even want me to live.

Death continues, "I'm going to approach the Earl of Kasito to discuss the match of you and his son, who will inherit one day. Soon, I should think, given Jaspers ailing health. That should make you happy."

"It doesn't."

"You're certainly not going to remain my problem forever."

"So touching, Death, but I've got my sights set on another man."

"And just whom would that be?"

I stand, pulling the sheet up with me, before tucking it under my arms. "The Shadow King, of course."

Death guffaws. "I think not. With your reputation, it'll be a miracle if I can get any nobleman's son to have you."

"My reputation is known by none, save those whom it directly concerns."

"Men do not keep the exploits of the bedroom to themselves."

I smile. "They do when it's me."

"What is that supposed to mean?"

"I'm not stupid. I have something on every man who has seen the inside of this room. Lowell has an unfortunate gambling problem. He lost a family heirloom in a game of cards. Blamed the missing pendant on a servant and got him whipped and fired. His father wouldn't be happy to hear of it. And Damien? I happen to know he's part of a group of smugglers importing illegal weapons into the city. He'd be sent to prison if anyone knew the truth. And let's not forget Nestor, who's quite fond of the opium dens. I could go on naming all my lovers, but I think you get the idea."

Though his face doesn't change, Death's shoulders lose some of their tension. "Such winning gentlemen you keep around, darling."

"The point is, I know what I'm doing. And I'm going to keep doing whatever I wish because I am the master of myself. And you? You're going to send me to the palace with the next wave of women to see the king because if there's anything I'm good at, it's getting men to propose to me." I flash the diamond on my finger in his direction.

Death's eyes narrow and then smiles his sinister smile, "How long have you been planning this?"

"Since Jason disappeared."

"You said nothing when I sent Jessica to the palace."

I roll my eyes. "Jessica Couldn't catch the attention of a rabid dog. Besides, beauty isn't enough to catch the eye of the Shadow King. He has beauties paraded in front of him all year long. Send me. I will get us the capital of the rebel kingdom," I finish.

The room is quiet for a full minute.

"You'll need new dresses," Father says at last, "and I won't get your sister's bride-price for weeks yet. That won't be enough time."

I pull the ring from my finger and stare down at it lovingly.

Why does he think I've taken so many lovers? They're fun, to be sure, but most important, they're going to finance my stay at the palace.

I hold up the ring where my father can see it. "There's plenty more where this came from."

***

I had recently taken up sewing as a hobby of mine in these years, but I can't make all the new clothing required for my upcoming plans in such a short amount of time. Working with my favourite seamstress, I design and commission ten new day outfits, five evening gowns, and three appropriately indecent nightgowns (although those I make myself—Felicia doesn't need to know how I intend to spend my nights).

Death takes no part in the planning, as he is much too busy with his accountant, worrying over the estate. He's bankrupt and desperately trying to hide it. It's not his fault. He's quite competent, but the land just isn't producing as it once was.

The disease swept through a few years ago and killed most of the livestock. Every year, the crops grow thinner. A well has already gone dry, and more and more tenants are leaving.

Something as a result of his maniacal missions.

Though I'm aware of the situation, I haven't bothered to worry about it. My lovers all feel the need to give me nice things. Very expensive things. It's been a fun game. Learning their secrets. Seducing them. Getting them to shower me with gifts.

But to be honest?

I'm bored with it.

I have a new game in mind.

I'm going to woo the king.

I suspect it won't be longer than a month before he's helplessly in love with me. And when he proposes, I will say yes for the first time.

For once the marriage is official and consummated?

I will kill the Shadow King and take his kingdom for myself.

Only this time, I won't have to bury the body. I'll find a convenient scapegoat and leave the Shadow King for someone to discover. The world will need to know that I'm the last royal left.

Their queen.