Damn… who was this secret source?
“Well, you can’t just out us on live television.” Fallon pressed his thick arms across his chest.
“I have no intention of doing so. I’m not stupid. I have no desire to incur the Winter Court king’s wrath. Everything we film during this family visit will be approved before it airs. No one needs to know it’s not live.”
“Approved by whom?” Fallon asked.
“Your father of course.”
“No,” he growled. “He’ll never approve any of it. He’ll force me to come home.”
“I’m not sure if you’ve noticed, Fallon, but there isn’t much left of the show. Only two eliminations remain.”
A knot the size of the Manta Sea wedged in my throat. Shit. I was going to have to eliminate more bachelors when I got back to the villa next week. Would it be one or two?
“I wish to bring Elrian here and determine the truth in person.”
“You think my father will admit anything to you?”
“He won’t have to. I’m fairly certain the look on his face will tell us everything we need to know.”
“Why are you doing this?” I blurted.
He tossed me a smug smile. “Ratings, of course.”
“But Elrian will never let the truth air.”
“No, he won’t, but the drama incited will be all I need. Plus, it never hurts to have an influential member of the assembly owing you a favor.”
“You’re going to blackmail him for keeping quiet?” This was beyond low. I didn’t think the sleezy producer had it in him.
“Such an ugly word. Think of it as a mutually beneficial deal.”
Fallon clucked his teeth. “It’s your funeral.”
An icy chill scampered up my spine. There was something in the Fae’s voice that had the hair at the back of my neck rising. I’d always heard the Winter Court king was ruthless. There had even been rumors about him murdering his own father for the throne all those years ago.
Dax rose and ticked his head at the door. “I think it’s time for us to leave.” The director turned to Fallon. “Just so that we’re clear, this was all Shep’s idea. I didn’t want anything to do with it.”
Sometimes, I felt bad for Dax. He seemed like a decent enough guy compared to the shady producer, but somehow, he always got dragged into his schemes.
Shep rose and followed Dax to the door before turning back to us. “We’ll be in touch tomorrow.”
“Can’t wait,” Fallon grumbled as he trudged to the couch and slumped down. The cute antique sofa whined under his weight.
I carefully folded down beside him and squeezed his tense shoulder. “At least you might finally get a chance to get to know your mom.”
“But at what cost?” He chomped down on his lower lip, gritting his teeth. “You know what? I don’t want to think about it anymore.” His big hands fastened around my hips, and he dragged me into his lap.
I squealed at the unexpected jerk. Before I could get a word in, his mouth crashed into mine, his lips brutal and punishing. I shoved him back, a low growl vibrating in my throat. “What are you doing?”
Those icy lilac irises locked on mine. “I missed you, Aspen, and I just want to forget about this whole day.”
His fingers ground into my hips, pressing me against his erection. Well, damn, that was fast. His hand slid beneath my shirt and traveled to the button on my jean shorts.
“Hey, hey, can we slow down a sec?”
Icy shards met mine, their hardness like cut glass. “I thought you missed this too?”
“I did, but it’s been kind of a crazy day and I just left Deacon… I need a minute.”
“Deacon.” He snorted and jumped up, tossing me from his lap. “You know he threatened to abandon me for you? Is that why you don’t want me? Because of him?”
“Fallon, what the hell is wrong with you?” I managed to land on my feet and reined in my temper because I knew the big asshole was having a rough day, but I’d only let him get away with so much.
“I just need this, Aspen. I need an escape from my world crashing down on me.”
“So go jack off in the bathroom. I’m not some toy you can just fuck at your pleasure.”
He shook his head, fiery crimson burning his cheeks. “Forget it. I’m out of here.” He stomped toward the door, and I shot him the middle finger. He never turned around to see it.
Fallon
My fingers curled into tight fists, anger seething to the surface as I stomped down the steps. I had no idea where I was going, but I needed to get the hell out of there or I’d lose control. Fiery magic brewed in my core, threatening to explode from my fingertips. One wrong move, and I’d take the entire damned place out.
I was being a complete asshole; I had the stereotypical Fae royal brat routine down pat, but I couldn’t help myself. The past week holed up in that crappy motel in the human world had been torture. The only thing I’d been looking forward to was seeing Aspen.
Then this happened. Not only had I been rejected by my mother all those years ago, but now Aspen too. I rubbed at my temples, forcing my lungs to inhale and exhale. I knew I was being irrational. My mother, whoever she was, had no idea I existed, and still the damage had been done.
I trudged back and forth in the dim alley behind the building, wearing a path into the dirt. Logically, I knew I had no right to be angry at Aspen, and still, I was furious. Just thinking about her with Deacon and Slade… I squeezed my eyes shut, forcing the images back as nausea crawled up my throat. It was the second time she’d denied me. A paralyzing thought shot ice through my veins—what if she was planning on eliminating me?
At first, I’d only entered the game as a childish way of rebelling against my father, but in the past few weeks, I’d actually grown to care for Aspen. She was like no one I’d ever met. She didn’t give a shit about anything or anyone. She’d kept me on the show despite knowing she’d be at risk—that they’d all be at risk. I had to mean something to her, right?
Gods, I was so fucked up. I dragged my hands through my hair, messing up the perfectly gelled strands. I was so tired of pretending, of hiding. Maybe Shep had the right idea. Maybe I should just out myself to all of Azar. At least, this way I wouldn’t have to hide anymore.
“Everything all right, son?” That soft melodic voice sent my heart catapulting against my ribcage. Fay peeked her head out from the back door of the diner, wisps of blonde hair pulling free from the bun atop her head.
“Um, yes, everything’s fine. Aspen was tired, so I decided to come out here to let her sleep.”
She nodded slowly, a knowing look in her eye. “I can’t imagine it must be easy vying against a dozen other males for a girl’s attention.”
“It’s not,” I barked, then instantly regretted my outburst.
Fay took a step outside and shut the door behind her, then folded down onto the sidewalk. She reached into her apron and pulled out a lila clove. She snapped her fingers, and the end of the loosely rolled-up paper lit up. The sweet, pungent scent of the lila flower perfumed the air. “Would you like one?”