Queen of Ruin

pping of Jasper’s shoe against the black-and-white checkered floor

ropped to Teddy’s reflection. “Will you go drag your sister down here

is hand from his pocket and pointed his finger gun at his

dles of the staircase kept time with his shoes sliding

ss and shook out her dark, curly hair. “Hell’s Bells! I’ll be do

gged nervously on her pearl necklace. “This is my party; I’m supposed to make a gr

a prepared herself for the first forma

their children, hoping for them to find their someday mates, or at

t promised to be interesting because a new family recently

eaned against the doorway and s

he tilted his head to the side as he appreciated his reflection. “We’re

l day long dripped from her fingertips as she shook out her hands and turned

t her. His sister never turned down an opportunity to complain, and he never wasted t

o matter the outcome of tonight’s party, she would be unimpressed by any specimen pre

gh her mother was a regal, graceful woman born of royal blood, Tessa inherited her father’s quick temper

oes, she flipped him the middle finger. “I can’t believe I’m going throu

mself, he straightened the bow ti

concerns. “Don’t go working yourself up into a tizzy over it yet, Tess; it’s only a party. No one s

ievances about her over-privileged lot in life. “I wish I wer

while he did his best to calm her down. “Yes, that’s true, but they often pick poorly. Your mate is hand-

r as he opened the front door. “What a load of shit! No one’s going to tell me how I’m going to l

row herself down them in an attempt to avoid tonight’s obligation. “Whether or not you believe in the old gods, they sure

she dared Fate to test her. “Well, now would be a perfect time, you so

street, Jasper wrapped his arm around her shoulder as

t him as she shook her head no. “Absolutely not! This is so sick. These coti

the comparison. “I just want to introduce you to some people. After tha

to show off my number one girl. All those guys brag on their pathetic dau

em. “You’re going to run this whole show one day; believe me when I tell you that this world

e nines, and he lowered his head in respect of his lea

p-flop sensation in her chest. A slow, steamy breath blew f

zzed, and the little beast’s eyes darted around, searc

faces that melted into nothing as her mind tr

and away as he gave her his disapproving squint. “Don’t you show them any weakness, Tessa Mason. These people ar

as he slid his hand on her cheek. “Sometimes I have to remind myself that you’re a kid because you two just

e gave him a sweet smile and nodded. “I know that, Daddy. You d

beamed with pride at his most treasured work of art. “These folks are only spe

me last words of wisdom. “Burn the entire world down and kill them all if you have to, but you make them understand you’re no

though the rest of the world tried to hold her back, only her father truly understood her na

on, Jasper lifted his chin at th