Fighting Darius

PENNY

A few weeks later, school is over, and I still can’t get him out of my mind.

I have been mulling this over and over in my head. I am known to be stubborn, and I am not a quitter.

I always go after things I want, and right then, I decide that Darius Ivanovic Rykov is what I want.

Genesis fully supports me on this. Right after graduation, Genesis and the lycans plan to go back to Russia for a little while.

They invite me to go along, with a hint that a certain gorgeous blond lycan will be there. Well, that’s enough to persuade me. Actually, they don’t even have to say that to convince me to go.

I don’t have any plans beyond high school. I’m hoping that I will have met my mate already by then, and we’d be too busy making babies or something.

Not life’s greatest plan, but that’s Penny Ruiz’s life plan.

Anyway, that’s how I find myself standing in the middle of my bedchamber in Banehallow Palace, Russia.

I’m all decked out in Sue Wong’s strapless purple dress. The bodice is exquisitely embroidered and beaded, while the gown is a full feather.

A pair of four-inch, feathered, white Jimmy Choo stilettos grace my feet.

The stylist and the ladies who did my hair and makeup just left, and I’m standing here by myself staring at my reflection in the mirror.

Olga dried, combed, brushed, and hot-ironed my short dark hair till it framed my face in a straight, shiny cascade down to my chin.

Then she added a dark-purple Great Gatsby flapper hair band with shiny beads across my forehead and soft white and purple feathers on the side.

They’re holding a party for Constantine and Genesis, and the return of Caspian, Lazarus, and Serena. I am told that Darius is going to be there.

This will be the first time I get to see Darius again since that first time.

There’s a brief knock on my door, and Genesis breezes in before I tell her to come in. Her wonderful, familiar scent wafts in the air along with the light, flowery smell of an expensive perfume.

She looks glamorous and breathtaking in a long, peacock-green and gold dress. Beautiful peacock feathers adorn the length of it.

There are more peacock feathers in her red hair, which is swept up into an elaborate updo with a few wispy tendrils framing her flawless face.

She is followed closely by Serena.

Serena looks stunning in a long, red, flowing, strapless silk dress with a slit that goes up all the way to her thigh, showing off her perfectly long, tanned leg every time she takes a step.

The bodice of her dress is covered in soft, red feathers. Her bright-red lips match her dress.

Her golden-blonde hair is swept up to the side, leaving one shoulder bare. She has feathers woven cleverly in her hair with three red feathers stuck out dramatically at an angle.

“You look breathtaking!” exclaims Genesis as she takes my hand in hers and twirls me around.

“Look who’s talking.” I laugh. “You two look absolutely gorgeous! I feel like a purple bird.”

“A beautiful purple bird,” chimes Serena.

Together, we walk out to meet Constantine and Lazarus, who are waiting for us in the grand hallway just outside the ballroom.

Our entrance is different from everyone else’s since the left wing of the castle is reserved only for the Crown Prince Caspian, Prince Constantine and his mate Genesis, Lazarus, and Serena.

And little old me too…for some reason.

Lazarus only has eyes for Serena, but he spares me a look after complimenting his mate and then kissing her affectionately on the cheek.

“You look absolutely beautiful, Penny.” He smiles, offering me one of his arms while Serena is hanging on to his other.

“Yes, you look gorgeous,” agrees Constantine, giving me a little bow.

“Thank you.” I smile. “You guys clean up pretty well yourselves. Could be better, but ehh…not too shabby.”

“Oh, stop! You’re making me blush,” says Lazarus, deadpan. The three of us girls burst out laughing while Constantine grins, shaking his head.

Lazarus and Constantine are actually a lot more than just “not too shabby.” They’re actually looking very spectacular. A sight to behold.

Lazarus is in a dark-red, high-collared, eighteenth-century gentleman’s suit, so dark it appears black in the dim light of the hallway. One side is trimmed with gold buttons.

The open coat reveals a red silk vest and an embroidered white silk cravat. He has a hat with a long, red feather sitting at an angle at the front.

Constantine is wearing a black velvet classic frock coat trimmed with green silk damask similar to the color of Genesis’s dress, and antique-style gold buttons.

The sleeves are also trimmed with green silk damask and gold buttons. The front of his shirt is covered with a white, embroidered lace cravat ascot.

His black hat is also adorned with a peacock feather to match Genesis’s dress.

These men can wear such ostentatious ensembles and still look jaw-droppingly gorgeous. Not that I’m going to admit that to them. “Not too shabby” is all they’re getting from me.

Most of the time I feel like the men are treating me like a pesky, but highly amusing, little sister.

Speaking of the men… “Where is Caspian?”

Genesis leans to look at me around Constantine and grins mischievously.

“He had his arm twisted by Queen Sophia to escort Lady Celeste to the ball.” She giggles. “I think he would much prefer to escort an abominable snowman…or even you, Beany Penny.”

I groan inwardly. Caspian gave me that nickname. I still have no idea what Beany means. Gosh, I hate that nickname!

“Serves him right for calling me Beany Penny,” I reply. “Just as well…we might kill each other before the party’s over tonight.”

Genesis’s eyes light up with mischief, and she says, “Oh gosh! If the party gets too boring, the three of us could start—”

“That’s why we intend to keep you two away from Caspian for the sake of the ball and the safety of everybody attending tonight,” interrupts Constantine quickly, though he sounds amused rather than annoyed.

“Debbie Downer,” mutters Genesis teasingly as we straighten up just before two uniformed men open the massive, heavy door to the ballroom for us.

“I thought I was your chunky monkey,” mutters Constantine from the side of his mouth.

Genesis’s reply is lost to me as the sound of beautiful live music resonates around us as soon as the doors are opened.

I feel my breath catch in my throat as we step farther into the room and descend the stairs.

The ballroom is like nothing I’ve ever seen in my life. It is massive. Sparkling crystal chandeliers hang from the high ceiling everywhere.

There are two sets of staircases at the end of the room, one of which we are descending from. There are balconies with golden banisters all around.

There are fresh flowers and feathers in different colors in big silver pots by the walls. Each is illuminated with its own golden glow of lights.

Underneath the curve of the staircase at the other end is a little platform where an orchestra dressed in gold and cream and outrageous feathers is performing.

Near our staircase is a wider and grander platform that separates it from the rest of the room.

On the platform, there are several intricately carved chairs with two royal thrones in the middle of the arrangement.

Guests dressed to the nines stop and stare when we enter the room. Everyone is wearing feathers of some sort. Some are more outrageous than others.

It’s a good thing their attention is more on Genesis and Constantine.

Not long after, King Alexandros and Queen Sophia enter after the announcement is made. I’ve met them before, but seeing them now in their formal attire, I can only stare at them in awe.

The men bow and the women curtsy, but as soon as they’re seated, King Alexandros waves his hand dismissively and the merriment continues.

Queen Sophia looks beautiful in a yellow and gold silk dress. She’s a very beautiful lady with blonde hair, green eyes, and a charming smile that looks a lot like Caspian’s.

King Alexandros is a distinguished, good-looking gentleman with dark hair and dark eyes. I think Constantine looks a lot more like King Alexandros than Caspian does.

I feel like a little girl playing dress-up at an adult party. Everyone looks so sophisticated and flawlessly beautiful. Of course, most of them are lycans. Outworldly creatures.

Even my bestie Genesis is a lycan now, and she looks just like one of them. She looks like she belongs here.

She is talking quietly to Queen Sophia now, while Constantine’s attention is taken by King Alexandros.

I realize that we’re in the area for the royals, dignitaries, and top-ranking officers. I am none of those, but nobody seems to be making a fuss about it.

Still, I feel uneasy. I try to slip away quietly, but Serena grabs my hand.

Then she snatches a drink from one of the attendants in feathered costumes flitting around with trays of drinks and hors d’oeuvres. I just wave the man away when he offers me a drink.

“I start yawning as soon as they start talking about politics and militaries and finances,” comments Serena.

I could see that Lazarus’s attention is taken by a couple of older gentlemen.

I just nod while my eyes roam around in search of a certain lycan. I know he’s not here yet, though, because I can feel it when he’s around. It’s weird.

“I feel like an outsider here,” I confess quietly to Serena.

“You don’t look like an outsider, sweetie. Trust me. If anybody said otherwise, they would have to deal with me,” she says playfully, but I think she means it.

“But I think this area here is for the royal family and such,” I protest.

“It’s for the royalties and their closest friends and confidantes. You are that to Genesis and more. You’re our friend too.”

“Don’t sweat it, this is not really a formal occasion. They hold balls like this all the time. They just need the slightest excuse to have one, and now we’re it.” She giggles softly.

“Oh, my…would you look at that,” whispers Serena in amusement. I twist around to look at what she’s staring at behind me. Caspian just walked in with his date.

So that must be Lady Celeste. She barely comes up to Caspian’s shoulder. Her light-brown hair is in an elaborate twist done up with crystals and feathers.

Her deep-purple dress is covered with shiny crystals and feathers. Lots of feathers. She’s dressed to impress and fully attract attention.

Who can blame her? She’s walking on the arm of the crown prince.

Caspian is dressed in a dark-purple velvet jacket with an elaborate deep-purple silk cravat. His top hat also has feathers at the center.

He is dressed a little bit more flamboyant than most men in this room, but he carries the look with such confidence and regal bearing that I can’t fault it.

Admittedly, they look good together, but judging by the cold haughty look on his face, I don’t think Caspian really likes this arrangement.

“Poor Caspian,” I mutter to Serena, and I hear her choke on her drink. I don’t sound at all sincere.

Don’t get me wrong. I don’t hate Caspian. Not at all. To be honest, I’m quite fond of him.

Not that I’m going to admit that to him.

Caspian is truly an enigma. Despite his drop-dead gorgeous appearance and cocky, obnoxious, immature, royal, son-of-a-bitch attitude, he has a complex personality.

He’s a very good judge of character. He doesn’t trust easily. The rest of the lycans, whether they realize it or not, follow his cue. Once Caspian accepts somebody, they do the same. So do I.

He looks at people he doesn’t know and struts with that haughty, worthy-of-a-prince look as if they’re gum stuck beneath his expensive leather shoe.

Once he decides that you’re worthy and accepted within his tight little circle where only a few are allowed in, you’ll know.

I know exactly when he accepted me. It was when he threw his first insult at me. I insulted him right back because…well, because I’m me.

He looked at me with a raised eyebrow. I raised an eyebrow right back at him. We both tipped our chins up in understanding almost in unison.

I saw his lips lift up the corners of his mouth into a little smile, and I couldn’t stop my lips from curving up into an answering smile.

We have an understanding, Caspian and I. We show our mutual fondness and respect for each other by trading insults and making each other’s lives as unbearable as possible.

I have a feeling Lady Celeste wouldn’t be winning his trust and affection anytime soon, though.

Suddenly I feel his presence. I feel Serena’s hand tighten around mine. I don’t have to wonder why for very long because my eyes find Darius Ivanovic Rykov, and he’s not alone.

Hanging on to his arm is a tall blonde. She’s flawlessly beautiful. A lycan just like him. He’s dressed similarly to Lazarus, except his jacket is black. His vest is royal blue, the same color as the woman’s dress.

I can’t deny it. He looks superhot. His top hat is pulled a little low over his forehead, making his sharp, perfect jawline look more prominent and his red lips more sensual.

The outline of his tall, glorious body cannot be fully concealed by that fine suit. He’s sexy. He’s all man.

His pale-blue eyes are slightly hidden underneath the shadow of the hat, but I can feel the heat of his gaze on me blazing even from across the room. My heart speeds up at the sight of him.

They look like they belong together. My heart squeezes in jealousy. I have no right to be jealous, though. He’s not mine.

I feel betrayed nonetheless. I want to go and rip off the arms that are holding him close by the socket.

“Karla, one of Lady Celeste’s close friends,” mutters Serena. She gives my arm a gentle, reassuring squeeze.

I try to look away, but I can’t seem to tear my eyes away from the approaching couple. His eyes lock on mine immediately.

I don’t miss the way his icy-blue eyes rake my form from head to toe. I don’t miss the look of want and hunger in his eyes or the sizzle of energy between us.