Chapter 7 - Sharpen Your Horns

(Alicia)

When I say nothing more Darren clears his throat, looking uncomfortable.

“What is it? I know that look, just spill!” I say, not wanting to deal with his dramatics today.

“Alicia, there’s something you need to know about this bride swap. Something disturbing,” he starts and I cock an eyebrow at him as a prompt to continue. He shifts uncomfortably on his chair and starts playing with the cocktail umbrella.

“Throughout history, it’s never really ended well for any of the couples. Especially not when there was a werewolf-elf matchup.”

Great, just bloody great. Why am I not surprised. Daddy dearest has obviously found the perfect way to finally get rid of me.

I rub at my eyes, my elbows resting on the table. “What am I going to do, Darren? How do I get out of this?”

He looks at me as if the answer is simple and I’m too stupid to spot it.

“Just say no. Easy as that. When have you ever done anything that man asks of you, anyway? Unless you want the hunky Alpha King, of course.” His eyebrows wiggle suggestively, and I stare at him with horror in my eyes.

“I can’t say no. I’m being blackmailed into it. He’s threatening to harm Luka if I don’t comply like a good little daughter.”

Darren gasps at that, horrified. “What? That bastard! That manipulative elven dick goblin—”

The look on my face tells him I’m not lying, but I can see he is genuinely shocked. He is the only other person on this planet who knew what my father did to me to blackmail my grandfather. Apart from the nobles who were calling political shots at the time, of course.

He clears his throat, the shock not quite leaving his eyes yet. “Uhm, what if we abduct Luka and make a run for it? I’ve got access to all kinds of safe houses, you know.”

He is half-serious, half-joking; I want to hug him for it.

“You’re a good friend, Darren. I’ve already thought about that. Where in this realm do you think we could possibly hide and get away with it? But thanks for the offer.”

He falls silent. Then he shuffles his own cocktail over to me. “Maybe you do need more alcohol.”

I laugh, a hollow one but nonetheless a throaty sound resembling a laugh, and push the drink back to him.

“No, seriously I don’t. I can’t deal with another night of ruining other people’s sex lives. Not twice in one week!”

He sits up straight. “That’s it! Why don’t you just spill the beans to daddy dearest? If he knows your secret, he won’t hand you over to the horny hounds! It’ll be to hand them a weapon they can actually use!”

I snort. Nope. No way. This remains my secret until I’m good and ready to use it properly.

Darren looks at me sideways. I know that look. There’s an idea brewing in that brilliant mind of his.

“You know what, darling? Maybe, just maybe, joining the wolves could be the best move of your life, the moment that will change everything.”

I frown. What is he on about? I just want to go on with my anonymous little life among the humans. That’s what I want, what I’ve always wanted.

He leans forward eagerly, a glint in his eyes.

“Alicia. You have been doubly blessed by the gods — no one, not even your perfect sister, is that lucky. You are the best warrior that no one knows about or will see coming, and the key to every sensual or fertility dream in this realm. That’s more than one weapon in your arsenal. And handing that over to the enemy, to the one group of supernaturals most hated by the father who has always shunned you… Isn’t that an opportunity?”

I stare at him as if he’s lost his mind.

“You could be hung for less! Shh! And besides, how exactly do you weaponize that?”

He scoffs at me, rolling his eyes and shaking his head. “Sometimes I can’t believe that you were blessed by both the goddesses of love and of war. Think, Alicia! You have a tactical war brain like none other. Use it!”

I huff as I lean back into my chair and fold my arms over my chest defensively. He has a point. Why have I been unable to apply my big tactical brain powers to this situation and come up with a perfectly masterful solution? Are my father’s manipulative Loki powers somehow overpowering my own abilities?

That’s very likely. It is, after all, the only one of my powers that he is aware of. And that’s why he must be countering it somehow. What I need is distance. More than the four-hour drive I currently maintain between myself and the palace. But with the threat to Luka and the constant wedding appointments with the Devil, I’m not likely to find that distance anytime soon. I will find it when I’m deep in werewolf territory though.

I mull over Darren’s very traitorous idea that this marriage farce might just be exactly what I need to free myself from the clutches of dearest daddy and his blessings from Loki. But I would have to sacrifice a lot in the process. Who am I kidding, I’m going to have to make sacrifices regardless, so I might as well put my gifts to work in the process and orchestrate something worthwhile.

Darren leans in, voice low. “Screw your father and whatever plans he has. Don’t die. Scheme. Use that blessing, that brain, that body. Make them fall for you. Gain power. Flip the script.”

I blink at him. “You want me to… seduce the enemy into obedience?”

“I want you to survive, Alicia. And maybe… win.”

I lean back slowly, staring up at the ceiling. A bitter laugh escapes me.

“Fine,” I say. “If I’m the sacrificial lamb, I might as well sharpen my horns.”

Darren watches me with that look he gets when he’s equal parts proud and terrified. “I’ve created a monster,” he mutters.

“No,” I correct him. “You’ve reminded one who the hell she is.”