Total pages in book: 119
Estimated words: 116875 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 584(@200wpm)___ 468(@250wpm)___ 390(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 116875 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 584(@200wpm)___ 468(@250wpm)___ 390(@300wpm)
She’s doing that thing again where she’s down on herself. I think maybe an ex-boyfriend was one of those shitty people who tear people down to feel strong. The thing is, he’s gone, but she still believes his lies. And apparently, none of the Fraternitas members ever took an interest in her, which I don’t believe, but what matters is that she’s making up stories of rejection and using them to beat herself up.
“Honey,” I say. “Listen to me carefully. You are the hottest person I’ve ever seen. If you were my type, I would fuck you in a heartbeat.”
“I think that’s a compliment,” Raine says dryly.
“Thank you.” Honey’s blushing again, which only makes her look more beautiful.
“Damn it. You want to know the worst thing about this arranged marriage? Kaiser is exactly my type.” I hold up Viking Thunder. “I’m such a cliche.”
“We can’t change who we’re attracted to,” Raine says glumly. “Even if we wish we could.”
“Maybe you’ll like being married to him,” Honey suggests with a wistful smile. She’s so sweet, of course, she’d wish for a happy ending for me.
“Whatever. I’ll think about it tomorrow. Right now, I have brownies and butter popcorn. I feel no pain.” I grab the brownie pan and make a selection.
“Should you be taking more edibles?” Raine asks.
“YOLO!” I cram the brownie into my mouth. “It doesn’t usually affect me, but let’s do makeup before it hits.”
We decamp to Honey’s glorious bathroom, where Honey sets me up on the counter and starts brushing stuff all over my face. I’m wired. Honey keeps having to ask me to hold still. I want to hear more about Kaiser.
“Did you ever talk to him?” I ask while she frowns at my face, holding up different makeup palettes to compare shades.
“I never got near him, but he always seemed like he was in a bad mood. Or when he was a little more chill, I always got the sense it was because he just murdered someone.”
I can’t help it. I let out a giggle. “That’s him.”
Raine calls from inside the clawfoot tub where she’s lying, eating popcorn. “Have you already…?”
“Done it?” I ask.
Honey laughs. “I swear, Bella, you say things people haven’t said in twenty years.”
“What should I say?”
“Made the beast with two backs,” Raine suggests.
“Okay, Shakespeare.” Honey’s getting more giggly. The weed’s hitting.
“Yeah,” I say. “Now who’s dropping references that are two hundred years old?”
“More like four hundred years. But it’s classic,” Raine throws popcorn at both of us.
“So you do like him,” Honey says.
“I like it when he touches me.”
“Awww,” Honey says as Raine hoots.
“I think I like it too much.” I frown at my reflection. “When I’m with him, I kind of lose my mind.”
“I’m not seeing a problem here,” Raine says.
“I get it.” Honey brushes blush onto my cheeks. “You want to be smart.”
“Yeah. He makes me dumb.”
“YOLO,” Raine says and tosses popcorn in the air to try and catch it in her mouth. It rains down on her, falling in her hair and bouncing off her face. “Oops.”
“Does he like you back?” Honey asks. “Do you know if he’s going to claim you?”
“Claim me?”
“Fraternitas has all sorts of rituals, and one of them is claiming an elita. Elita means ‘chosen one.’ It’s different from a marriage. For them, it’s more intense.”
“Kaiser hasn’t said anything about that.” My chest is tight. Will he claim me? Do I want him to? I feel disappointed that he hasn’t even mentioned it.
“I don’t know the exact details, but I do know when they claim a chosen one, it’s them claiming ownership and vowing to protect you with their life. It’s like their vow to Fraternitas. It’s all about loyalty.” She tells us about a few elitas she knew from the club. “Kaiser’s brother claimed my friend Elodie last fall. They have some sort of ceremony that’s secret, for Fraternitas only, but maybe once you’re married, she’ll tell you about it.”
“Okay.” This is overwhelming. I want to know more, but I’m also worried about what I’ll discover.
“You can also get Kaiser to take you to Pandemonium,” Honey says. “It’s a wild party at Club Empire, the sex club they run in New Rome. If there’s a claiming ceremony, it’ll be on that night. Then you can ask him about it.”
“Sex club?” Raine sits up, sending popcorn flying every which way. “I want to go.”
“Maybe we can all go,” I say. “I’ll get Kaiser to take me and see if you can come as guests.”
“We might have to sneak in,” Honey says. She glances at Raine.
“Three, two, one,” I count down and we all shout, “YOLO!”
* * *
Sleepover 8:12 pm
* * *
We watch the sunset from the tower, dressed in costumes we found in a closet.
“It’s so beautiful.” Honey eats a handful of popcorn and sniffles. She’s got on vivid mermaid makeup that actually looks amazing, except now it’s a little smeared. “I’m crying because I’m so happy.” She giggles through her tears.