Her Villains Chapter One

Prologue

Cari

 

My wedding day is cursed.

            I’ve lived my entire life under the stars, but the sun shines brightly as I walk toward my three soon-to-be husbands.

            Of course, I’ve known for years that my bonding ceremony would be like walking to my death.

            What else can it be, when I’m marrying the enemy?

            I step in front of the high priestess, my three betrothed standing with military stiffness before her. Their faces are hidden by their All Plane helmets—maroon and gold with a sun emblem blazoned across the forehead. But each one is incredibly tall and well-built beneath their tight-fitting royal armor.

            “You understand what I’m asking of you, daughter?” my father’s voice echoes in the back of my mind, the memory of our conversation last night replacing the wedding scene before me.  

Asking? He isn’t asking. The king of the Shattered Isle asks for nothing.

             He’s demanding. Ordering.

             And as his sole heir? I’m expected to obey.

             Some missions, like the time he’d send me to the Onyx City at the edge of our island to eradicate a mite infestation, were pure fun and adventure.. I’d dispersed of the dozen parasitic creatures before they could nest or threaten too many lives. Other times, like when he sent me to Sand’s Swallow—an impoverished village on our island—to help jump-start its harvest, were heart-wrenching.

          But this mission?

           Can I do this?

          'I tip my chin up. “I will marry the princes of the All Plane.”

          Your marriage will bring peace to the two realms.” He shifts his massive form on his throne. The obsidian chair is smooth and polished with intricately carved constellations decorated into the rock. It has served as the Shattered Isle king’s throne for ages, with each ruler adding their own set of stars to it when they ascend the throne. “Our two kingdoms will no longer know the centuries-long war that has cost both realms buckets of blood.”

         I nod.

        “You will serve the princes in any way they desire.” His eyebrows raise as he looks down at me.

        “Yes, Father,” I say from where I kneel on the stone floor before the dais on which he sits.

        “Whatever they want,” he continues. “We have been enemies for longer than this world can remember. Their ancestors are the reason our Isle is shattered. The Great War broke our land, separated us from them, sweeping in that black ocean to keep us contained. Their thirst for blood is the reason I keep our people under such control, to protect them.” Anger colors his tone, and his massive fist tightens on his golden scepter.

        I bite my tongue, knowing exactly what kind of punishment I’ll receive if I speak up for our people again. Speak out against Father’s restrictive curfews, the taxes he collects to fund his armies that leave the people starving, the fear of young males being ripped from their families to join an army before they’re big enough to hold a sword.

My people deserve better. And if completing this mission will loosen Father’s grip on them, then I will do it.

        “The orders they deliver may differ vastly from that of our traditions,” he continues.

        I swallow hard, the only show of nerves I’ll allow. The All Plane bred warriors of the most lethal kind—brutish and brash. Our              Shattered Isle warriors are known for cunning and stealth, but are no less deadly than the All Plane warriors who deign themselves saviors of the realms. They rule with endless armies and wipe out anyone they deem too different from their own kind.

Like us. Shattered Islers who draw strength from the stars and the moon and the raging black sea.

        The All Plane draws their power from the sun and warmth and solid earth.

        We couldn’t be more different.

        What will the All Plane princes ask me to do? As their wife, I’ll be expected to accommodate any and all desires, but I’d be lying if I said I’m not a little concerned with what they might demand of me.

        “I’ll make them happy.” For my people. I’ll do anything to help them, save them.

        “You’ll have to do more than that,” he says.

        “I’ll make them love me.” I recite the plan we’ve gone over for weeks. Months. Years.

        “Their love for you must grow wider and deeper than our beloved sea.” He rises from his throne, stepping down the stone stairs to meet me. I rise at his motion, tipping my head up to look at him. “For our people, for the fate of the worlds,” he says, two fingers under my chin. “You must make them believe you are everything they have ever searched for.”

        “Yes, Father.”

        “Love is like a blade winking in the moonlight—it blinds before it kills.”

         I nod.

         He’d raised an assassin princess. Strong, cunning, deadly. All wrapped in a pretty package no one would ever suspect.

         “I won’t ask you if you can do this,” he continues, dropping his hand from my chin. “I know you can. Because I know you understand the alternative if you fail.” He glances to his most trusted second in command—General Payne—who delights in torture and blood. The garish creature grins at me, teeth like sharpened claws, and a shiver skates down my spine.

        If I fail, General Payne will make my death last for nights.

        And if the princes suspect me for even a second, they’ll kill me. I’m the enemy, after all. I always have been. My people always have been.

        Failure isn’t an option.

        “I understand what I have to do,” I say, willing strength into my voice.

        Marry the princes of the All Plane.

       Journey to their realm.

       Kill each of them before we reach the palace.

       And somehow not get caught.

       The fate of our people hangs in the balance.

       What can possibly go wrong?

“With the braiding of power, touch, and spoken vow,” the high priestess says, snapping me back to the present. “I implore you all to make the bond official.”

“Bonded for life,” we each say in unison. “I will protect and cherish my mate until the breath leaves my lungs.” We finish the words required of us, and the priestess offers us each a dip of her head.

“You are bonded,” she says, and turns to the crowd of my people. Some offer well-wishing looks, but none cheer or clap or jump up and down. And I can’t blame them. This is a radical move they never saw coming. Yet, there is hope in my people's eyes. Hope for a new era to follow this unprecedented union.

One of peace.

            I wish peace could be so easily gained with a wedding, a few bonds, and a future chained to my new husbands.

Too bad the price for peace can only be bought with blood.

 

 

Chapter One

Cari

The All Plane princes’ sky ship is unlike any I’ve boarded before. It’s a glistening silver palace built for luxury and adventure. Nothing like the few common vessels we have for sky travel. Their sky ship has rooms and hallways that go on for miles. Each one is more lavish than the next. So, the rumors about the All Plane’s wealth are true—it’s unending, if this is just one of many sky ships they own.

I barely feel the machine rumble as it catapults us into the sky, and my heart leaps into my throat as I watch our assent from the floor-to-ceiling windows. My beautiful, obsidian ocean shrinks the higher we climb, until it is nothing but a thin, sparkling line of black beneath us.

            Something pricks my chest, a sharp twinge of regret as my home disappears. My father offered me no warm goodbyes, not that I expected him to. Gessi, my one friend and handmaiden, shared tears with me the night before when we said our goodbyes. I will miss her most of all, and the pit in my stomach is telling me I’ll never see her or my beloved ocean again.

As the vessel takes us higher, a cerulean blue sky filled with white fluffy clouds replaces the view of my Shattered Isle. I’ve never ventured past our island’s borders, and now I’m being flown away toward the opposite side of the sea where the other elemental realms rest.

I turn away from the massive windows, my flowing gown of red silk dusting the sleek floors. My husbands are still in their armor, two of them not even bothering to glance back as they hurry down an adjoining hallway.

The other lingers at my right side. I can only make out a pair of full lips since he still wears his helmet, and he parts them—

“The dining hall is prepped,” a male voice says, drawing my attention. A thin, younger male wearing the All Plane crest on simple clothes stands at attention. This must be one of many staff onboard the sky ship. “Shall I escort you?”

“That won’t be necessary,” my new husband answers, his voice strong but calm and respectful as he addresses his staff. “Thank you, though, Cansil.”

The younger male bows, then disappears down the hallway.

“Come,” he says, extending his arm for me.

I swallow hard, but take his arm, the muscles rippling beneath my touch as he leads me down the hallway. Apprehension climbs up my spine as I follow him. Sure, the staff member said the dining hall was ready, but who’s to say they haven’t prepped it for my torture? My father had told me countless stories about how much the princes excel at torturing their enemies. What if that’s what they have in mind for our honeymoon—

“Steel,” he says, his voice lowered almost to a whisper between us. He removes his helmet with his free hand, gripping it by his side as he looks down at me.

My heart stutters as his sapphire blue eyes lock with mine. His hair is golden, like the sun he worships, and is carefully styled in a short, elegant cut. He’s cleanshaven, showing off a strong jaw, and those full lips curve into a genuine smile. He arches a brow. “Steel,” he says again.

I furrow my brow, wondering if he’s warning me not to steal anything aboard this ship. Does he truly think so little of Shattered Islers that he’d think I would start pocketing the cutlery at dinner?

His smile deepens as we walk, and I hate that butterflies flap in my stomach at the sight. 

“This is the part where you tell me your name,” he says, turning another corner.

I huff a laugh, unable to contain it. “Your name is Steel?” I ask. It wasn’t like the high priestess had listed our proper names at the ceremony. Such things were considered unnecessary in the eyes of the bonding. Steel nods. “Cari,” I say.

“Cah-ree,” he draws out my name, testing it on his tongue, and warm shivers burst over my skin. “Beautiful name.”

He turns into a large room with golden lights hanging from the ceiling, casting a dozen rich wooden tables in a warm glow. One male sits at the head of the centermost table, hair as black as night with a goatee to match, his eyes nearly as dark and menacing as he refuses to look up at our entry. Another male is sitting on the other side of the table, his hair golden like Steel’s but sheered against the sides of his head and longer on the top, and he has two lightning bolt tattoos inked down the right side of his neck.

“I did ask your father to permit a pre-bonding-ceremony meeting, so we could at least learn each other’s names, but he refused,” Steel says as he leads us to the table. It’s topped with roasted meats and veggies, greens and soups, and enough bread and cheese to feed half my island.

            “Would it have made a difference?” I ask as he pulls out a chair for me, settling me into it. My heart is racing as I eye the other two brothers—my new husbands. The dark-haired one is looking at me with the disgust I expected from all of them while the other has nothing but pure curiosity and challenge in his eyes.

            “It would’ve been nice to at least know each other’s names before we were bonded for life,” Steel says, choosing the chair to my right. “Wouldn’t it?”

            I shrug, but can’t help the relieved sigh that leaves my lips as he starts filling my plate with food. At least, for now, it doesn’t seem like torture is on the menu, but I don’t dare let my guard drop.

            “What were you afraid of, little wife?” the one with the lightning bolts along his neck asks me before tearing off a hunk of meat from some animal leg. He smirks, his light blue eyes trailing the lines of my face.

            “I wasn’t—”

            He points that animal leg at me. “Don’t deny it,” he says. “I saw you practically shudder with relief at the sight of this table. Now, you were either afraid and relieved with what you found, or you haven’t been fed properly in days.” He licks his lips, eyes churning with fire. “Seeing your delectable curves under all that silk, I’m betting on the first.”

            Heat floods my cheeks and I press my lips together. I could leap over this table right now, draw on my power, and end him before he could finish his meal. But the other two would have my head before I got the chance to finish them too.

            Patience.

            First, I have to earn their trust.

            Then, when their guard is down, I’ll strike at them one at a time.

            “Tor,” Steel chides as he piles food onto his fork. “It’s her first night with us, can you take it easy—”

            “I am taking it easy,” Tor says, cocking a brow at his brother. He leans back in his seat, the leathers he wears under his arm stretching tight over tons of muscle. They must’ve changed right before coming here. Steel still dons his wedding clothes, having skipped his chance to change in order to guide me here. “I’m trying to get to know her.”

            Steel sighs, continuing with his food.

            I take small bites, trying not to look to the head of the table. I can practically feel the weight of the hateful stare from the dark-haired one. It matches the hate I feel in my heart, but I’m much better at hiding it.

            Tor leans his elbows on the table, drawing himself closer to the middle, eyes on me. “Tell me,” he says, his voice rough, low. “Did you think we were going to stretch you out along this table and use you for our own personal feast?”

            My lips part at his words, tendrils of heat shooting up my spine.

            Tor smirks as he eyes my neck. “Is that what had your pulse racing when you sat down?”

            Words tangle in my throat. No one speaks to me like that. Ever.

            And my body reacts to the image he paints.

The idea of all three of their hands on me at once…I can barely imagine it.

As princess of the Shattered Isle, any suitable partner had always been too afraid of my father’s wrath to ask for my hand in courtship, and those who were brave enough to steal a few intimate moments with me under the blanket of darkness were always too afraid they’d break me.

The only true pleasure I’ve experienced has been by my own hand, but looking at my new husbands? I have no doubts the things they could do to me. Especially if they saw me as anything other than the delicate, defenseless princess the world viewed me as—the mask my father ensured our people and those across the sea saw.

            Not the weapon I truly am.

            “Tor,” Steel chides again, and I blink out of my mental spiraling. Steel turns to me, his features apologetic, which almost surprises me more than what Tor had said. “Forgive him, wife, he’s—”

            “Don’t,” the dark-haired one says, his harsh tone jolting my senses. “Don’t call her that.”

            “Talon,” Steel warns, and my eyes dart from him to Talon and back again. I dip my head slightly, just enough to cast the role of the wounded, docile princess. “She is our wife and as such is now an All Plane princess.

            Tor pauses his eating, cocking a brow at Steel’s tone toward Talon. Not a silent order to stop, but an intrigued look that has high hopes for a good brawl.

Talon grips his knife and fork so hard, I’m surprised he hasn’t launched across that table and jabbed one in my eye already.

He could try, but he’d be sorely disappointed when I removed his hand for him.

“She is a princess of the Shattered Isle,” Talon spits. “Raised by our enemy, which makes her our enemy.”

I flinch, the move not totally for show. Talon’s tone is harsh, rough, and raw, like the hurts of the past between our peoples have cut him deeply. In this, we’re the same. He’s just on the wrong side of it.

“Careful,” Steel warns, and my lungs tighten at the new tone from the previously gentle voice. “Father decreed this union. A high priestess blessed and bonded us by our powers. You don’t have to like it, brother, but Cari is now ours.”

           Lava soars through my veins at the verbal claiming, and I try my best to shove the sensation away. With the way he’s defending me, Steel’s trust may be the easiest to earn out of the three.

“She does look rather fun,” Tor says, leaning back in his chair and cleaning his nails with a dagger, his plate clear and wine goblet half-empty.

I admire the weapon from where I sit, noting the rubies laid into the hilt that flicker in the light. I wonder if each ruby represents a kill for him, and then just as quickly wonder if those kills were my people or those from other warring lands.

“Not at all what I pictured when Father said we had to marry a Shattered Isler.” Tor continues, almost as if he’s trying to change the subject between Steel and Talon.

I tilt my head, wondering what he’d been expecting? I certainly hadn’t dreamed the All Plane princes would look like descendants of sun gods—all golden skin over tons of corded muscle, each of them radiating unmatched power—but I suppose I should’ve. They are prized warriors, after all, and indeed look the part.

Talon rubs his hands over his face, shaking his head. “I will not stand by and watch her tear us apart from the inside out.” His tone is low, almost a growl. A wave of exhaustion rolls over me at the idea of winning his trust. It will be nearly impossible. He glares at me, a twisted grin on his lips. “And the high priestess bonded you to each of the All Plane princes,” he says. “You do know what that means, don’t you?”

Ice skates down my spine. The fourth brother.

The mere thought of that prince kept me up tossing and turning for days this past week. The fourth prince, exiled from his homeland because of one nefarious action or another. Rumors say he’s been on the run from the All Plane’s warriors for over a year. If they catch him? He’ll be my husband too, by law—already is, technically.

The All Plane warriors are renowned for their abilities to imprison traitors and dispense justice, but he’s thwarted their every attempt at capture. If he ever surfaces, he would prove an actual threat to my mission.

Talon’s dark eyes damn near twinkle as he watches me put the pieces together. “Maybe we’ll finally find Lock and give you to him. You wouldn’t survive the night—”

“Brother,” Tor says, sliding his dagger into a sheath at his side. “Steel is right. She is our wife. Our mate. It is now our duty to protect and accept—”

“No,” Talon cuts him off, shoving away from the table. “The priestess might’ve said the words, but we all know the bond isn’t recognized by our powers or those above until we consummate the union.” He curls his lips at me. “And I have zero interest in that.” He spins on his heels, hurrying out of the room as if I’d set fire to the table.

The blow hits dead center in my chest, anger gathering there to soothe the hurt. He acts as if I’m this hideous creature with razor-sharp teeth and bloody-tipped claws, not some princess in a flowing dress that doesn’t even show off my breasts.

“Forgive him,” Steel says, his tone switching back to that soft-as-silk tenor. I turn to look at him. His firm jaw is taut, showing his frustration, but the rest of his body is relaxed as he sits close to me. “This is new to him. To all of us. I’m sure you have reservations about us as well.”

My eyebrows raise at that, shock flowing through me. I didn’t think any of the All Plane warriors would spare half a second thinking about what I thought of any of this.

Steel offers me a genuine smile, one that lights up his eyes. Night damn my body, I can’t help but react to the kind warrior. He’s clearly the heart of these princes, showing more compassion in the last five minutes than other two showed in the last few hours.

            “And don’t let Talon’s threats of using Lock against you frighten you,” Steel continues. “We haven’t seen our brother in…” He rolls up his eyes, as if he’s calculating the number in his mind.

            “A year,” Tor offers, a hint of sadness and longing in his voice.

            I wonder how their brother has managed to escape them for an entire year, but Steel draws my attention again.

            “Yes, a year,” Steel says. “Lock is the least of our worries right now.” He motions to my barely touched plate. “You should eat, wife,” he says.

            I do as he says, mostly because I have no idea what to say to either of them. This isn’t at all what I expected. I expected torture or isolation from my enemies, not feasts and kind words and teasing. Even Talon, with his threats and open hostility, left me to dine with his brothers instead of throwing me in some cage to be dealt with later.

            And when I realize what will likely come after dining, I slow down even more. I savor each bite, my nerves coiling inside me. Tonight, they’ll expect me to consummate the bond with one of them, or each of them. I’m not exactly sure.

The visual of all three of them claiming me at the same time fills my mind again—a purely hedonistic scene with an endless supply of muscles and mouths, tongues and teeth. Warm tendrils tremble in my core, followed by a heavy dose of shame. How can I possibly imagine such things? I force the fantasy away, and do my best to remember what I’m here for.

Tor pushes away from the table, and a smirk shapes his lips as he stops to look down at me. I have to tip my head back to meet his gaze, he’s that damn tall. They all are. His light blue eyes rake down my body with a searing gaze, lust flickering over them as if he can see through the eons of fabric covering my body. I feel his look like a brand, hot and heady, but somehow manage to not look away.

“As much as I’d love to keep watching you eat, little wife,” he says, his voice like liquid velvet, “I have matters to attend to on the sixth floor.”

“Of course,” Steel says, tensing briefly. He quickly shakes it off, smiling down at me. “We’re fine without you, Tor. We don’t need a chaperone.”

Tor doesn’t move at Steel’s obvious dismissal. He seems content to stand there and stare at me.

“What are you looking at, husband?” I say, letting the new title roll off my tongue in the same seductive tone he’d given me seconds before.

That mischievous smile returns. “The before picture,” he says. I swallow hard as he cuts a playful gaze to Steel. “Don’t break her too quickly, brother,” he says, and winks at me.