Page 25 of Beauty

I wake with a cry of joy on my lips.

I sit straight up in bed, my chest heaving as I try to dragair into my lungs. My hands are shaking, nipples still peaked and wanting.

Tears leak out of my eyes.

I’m awake, and they’re gone once more.

Loneliness sweeps across me. I can still feel their hands onme, but I’m alone. Brutally, painfully alone.

I stare out into the star-filled night and pray for sleep totake me once more.

Chapter Six

Torin, the Betraying Asshole

I stand on the balcony of my palace, trying not tolet the screams and cries get to me. Normally the wailing of the condemned issimply a sign that all is right in my kingdom, but today the sound seems tohave actual weight and motion, pushing at me. I have a fucking headache fromthat damn noise.

Why can’t traitors die more quietly? Do they truly have toscream every time they’re stabbed or cut or someone pulls their fingernailsfrom their bodies?

I sigh. It’s because they’re unworthy. They are not sidhe.Sidhe die properly. Even my own brother died with a quiet dignity, hisbright gray eyes widening as the sword went through his heart. Seamus Finn diedas a king should, with rage in his eyes and no cry on his lips.

Yes, my brother died well.

“I’m glad I did one thing right.”

My stomach turns. Fuck, I wish my brother would go away.Thirteen years and my brother is still here, still a shade who manages to whisperin my ear.

“Shut up, Seamus. Why didn’t you leave with your brethren?”The sluagh are gone. I had my guards check the caves near the palace. It’s mostlikely a bad sign. Somehow they heard of my plans to destroy them, but the onething I was happy about when I heard the news was the fact that my fucking deadbrother would be gone, too. No such luck.

“I didn’t become sluagh to join the happy family. When Idied, I sent my wife on but tied myself to this place until such time as you nolonger breathe air.” Seamus’s form shimmers, a sure sign that he’s emotional.Even then, his voice remains a hoarse whisper. “I chose to stay here because Iowe my children.”

I sigh. I heard this all before. Roughly three years aftermy successful coup, Seamus showed up, having stored enough energy to makehimself known. At first, I thought I was going insane. Those around me stillbelieve I am. Seamus is excellent at hiding from all others.

Seamus likes to show up at the worst times. When I’m givinga speech, I catch visions of my brother’s form. When I make love to my wife,Seamus stands and watches, those flint-gray eyes filled with judgment.

I hate my brother. Just like when he was alive, Seamus ruinseverything simply by being around.

“My hags are going to make sure you never come back. They’reworking on it now. The blood of traitors will banish you to the underworld, andthen I won’t have to see you or listen to you prattle on ever again.”

Seamus laughs. “I’ll believe it when I see it. Even if youfound a way to get rid of me, you can’t get rid of the me who lives inside you,Torin. That piece of me will never fade until you join me in death.”

I fear Seamus is right. Guilt weighs heavily on me, but Ican’t go back. I’m too close to finishing off those annoying boys. The VampireGovernment declared them criminals. The word is that Beck and Cian fled theVampire plane and are seeking asylum elsewhere. Once they’re caught and theirbodies and that of the bitch they bonded to are hanged in the city square, therebels will know all hope is gone.

Then I will take out all non-sidhe one by one if Ihave to. Including those disgusting, blood-drinking vampires.

All I have to do is kill two men.

“As long as they’re out there, you aren’t safe.” Seamusseems to be able to read my mind. My brother leans against the marbled wall ofthe palace balcony, his ghostly eyes going out over the city. Beyond, Seamuscan surely see the fires set in the country in an attempt to quell the currentinsurrection. “These are small uprisings run by peasants. What would you do ifone of the nobles gave the rebels someone real to rally behind? You didn’t killall of those with royal blood. The rebellions will almost surely continue sinceyou don’t know the first thing about running a country. Peasants don’t like itwhen you steal all the food and leave them with nothing.”

My fists clench. “Traitors. They’re lucky I leave themalive.”

Seamus’s head shakes. “Oh, brother, you’ve put them in theposition where they have to choose between the king and their own lives—and thelives of their children. A king’s worth is in protection and shelter, and youoffer neither. You’re a tyrant. It’s why Father chose me over you.”

Our father chose Seamus over the eldest, rightful heir. Iwas forced to bite my tongue and plot revenge for twenty fucking years. “Ourfather was an idiot who would have had us make friends with the monsters. Asyou would. You were seriously thinking about a marriage between the Unseelieand your daughter. It’s a good thing I did what I did or she would have beentortured beyond anything a girl should have to survive.”

Seamus snorts. “You call all non-sidhe creaturesUnseelie. It’s ridiculous. There are plenty of sidhe who areconsidered Unseelie. And many helpful races who are as Seelie as me.”

“The Unseelie are all half-breeds. Impure. Unworthy. I haveplans for them.” As soon as I deal with the royal vampires, I will handle theUnseelie. Within mere months, I will rule three planes. Ambition burns brightinside me. I won’t stop until every sidhe bows to me and my name isglorified for ridding the world of monsters.