CURSE TREE FABLE

DEEP IN THE HEART OF BLOODWOOD FOREST LIES A TREE PLANTED BY THE CRONE HERSELF. IT IS SAID, AMONG OTHER FAVORS, THE TREE WILL CONSIDER HEXING A SWORN ENEMY IF THE DESIRE TO CURSE THEM IS TRUE.

TO REQUEST THE CRONE’S CURSE: CARVE THEIR TRUE NAME IN THE TREE, WRITE YOUR WISH ON A LEAF PLUCKED FROM ITS BRANCHES, THEN OFFER THE TREE A DROP OF BLOOD. TAKE THE LEAF HOME AND PLACE IT BENEATH YOUR PILLOW. IF IT IS GONE WHEN YOU ARISE, THE CRONE ACCEPTED YOUR OFFER AND HAS GRANTED YOUR WISH. SHE IS THE MOTHER OF THE UNDERWORLD—BEWARE OF HER BLESSING.

Envy’s skin prickled. He drifted closer to the tree, picking his way over the rotted roots littering the ground, making forward movement trickier. The roots looked like broken bones jutting up from the earth in a failed attempt to free themselves from this cursed forest.

Mist slithered around his boots, wrapped around his legs. Whether drawing him closer to the tree or trying to push him away, it didn’t matter. He could have sworn he’d seen something carved into it that made his pulse quicken.

He crunched over brittle leaves that had fallen, pausing at the wide trunk, then swore.

LEVIAETHAN

Not many guessed the correct spelling of Envy’s true name; it was one of the most highly guarded secrets a demon prince could keep. The princes were always known by the sin they ruled over, keeping their true name from anyone who’d attempt to bind them.

That his name was carved into the Curse Tree was highly troubling.

He scanned the area, noticing fresh sawdust blanketing the frost-kissed leaves near the carving. Whoever had carved his true name had done so recently. Probably within minutes.

He thought of the gossip column, of the rumored player who was seen heading to this very forest. There were no coincidences while the game was underway.

He pulled his House dagger from its sheath, canting his head to listen. Bugs chirped and buzzed, the sound drowning out any footsteps.

But the player was close. Envy sensed it now. Swore he felt the air holding its breath along with whoever dared to curse him. As if he weren’t already cursed enough.

He circled the wide tree trunk, listening. Watching.

The fog and mist played with his senses, like smoke and mirrors, causing shadows to flicker around his peripheral vision. The player was using it to their advantage.

Or so they foolishly thought.

Envy was the predator in these woods. And he enjoyed a good hunt every now and then.

He moved like a shadow, senses reaching out.

There.

Crouched behind an evergreen bush.

The coward ducked his head to his knees, keeping his face turned away.

Envy raised his blade, his intent clear.

A twig snapped behind him.

Envy stiffened.

“Don’t touch him.”

The voice was familiar, and unwelcome.

The Goddess of Death had arrived.

“He’s mine.”

Vittoria appeared as if from nowhere and drifted over to the player, running her hands through his hair. Assured he was still living, she then tugged him to his feet.

He did as she commanded.

Envy recoiled. The player was Fae. Not human. His elongated ears were pierced several times, the little suns signaling the Seelie Court. Vittoria leaned in and kissed him, completely unfazed by the demon blade Envy still held.

Envy gritted his teeth. “He’s part of the game. He belongs to Lennox.”

Vittoria ignored him, stepping back.

“I know. But he came to me.” She gave the Fae an appreciative look. “He was very persuasive with asking for my help in his little game.”

Envy drew in a deep breath. It didn’t take his annoyance away.

“You gave him my true name.”

She finally glanced over her shoulder, lavender gaze raking over Envy. “Not outright. He had to work hard for it. I gave him a nearly impossible task. He won.”

Envy sensed she wanted him to ask about the bargain she’d struck but refused to do so. It didn’t matter. The end result was all he cared about.

Predictably, Vittoria’s frustration grew. She turned on her Fae. “Show him.”

The male had the good sense to look scared.

The Goddess of Death was not known to be merciful. When she wanted something, she got it. If someone refused, she made them regret it. She was one of the few beings in the Underworld who could kill an immortal with True Death. Not that Envy wanted to think about that.

“Now,” she said, eyes glowing as her power churned.

The Fae spared one last look at Envy, then… his glamour fell over him.

Envy stared at a mirror image of himself.

“Your obsession with me is getting sad,” he drawled. “Fucking someone wearing my face still isn’t the same thing, darling.”

Vittoria’s demonic hand darkened at the fingertips, death charring her own skin. Soon, Envy knew, her fingers would lengthen and end in talons. The better to pluck out hearts with.

“It has nothing to do with you,” she said, voice pitched low. “Only what bedding you can do for my purposes.”

“You know just what to say to make a male feel wanted.”

“Would you rather I stroke your ego?” she asked, her voice a purr. “Tell you no male will ever please me like you? I think you hear that enough.”

“Only when warranted.”

“Maybe I wanted to let the fantasy of it ride me again and again in my dreams.”

“It wasn’t the fantasy or dreams, darling, but the Fae riding you.”

She gave him a withering look.

“Our joining is inevitable. You cannot deny me for eternity.”

He knew exactly why she wanted him. Only to see whether his brother Pride would become jealous. Her games were never-ending but held no appeal for Envy, unlike Camilla.

She motioned to the Fae wearing Envy’s skin. “Go on. Pull his cock out and see how it compares to yours.” Her smile grew wicked. “And then I want you to worship it.”

The Fae dropped to his knees, hand already on Envy’s trousers.

Envy halted the Fae’s movements.

“While I appreciate the artful way of telling me to go fuck myself,” he said, “I’m bored. I have a game to win. Aside from riding me, I’m sure we can find something else you want.”

Vittoria’s attention roved over him again, he could practically see her scheme. She’d known all along it would come to this. She whispered a spell that put the Fae in a trance.

“Your heart for his death. Before you open that troublesome mouth of yours, know it’s my only counteroffer. Accept and he dies, or decline, and I escort him safely from these woods.” She motioned toward the silver tree behind them. “Less you forget, he already carved your name. If he lives, you yourself will be cursed.”

Lennox must have spies in the Seven Circles, ones who were well aware of his last run-in with the Goddess of Death. It was one more twist of the knife, quite literally.

Vittoria had removed Envy’s heart recently, and it had significantly weakened him while it slowly grew back. His power was already slipping, thanks to the ward he had to keep up around his House of Sin. He didn’t have the energy needed to regenerate a heart in the middle of the game.

But if the player left these woods now, placed that leaf under his pillow before he slept tonight, Envy would have another set of unknown troubles to watch out for.

It was a gamble he couldn’t risk. The Fae had to die.

He kept his emotions locked away, mind reaching for any other solution. He didn’t want to be the cause of another death, but his court was at stake and he’d do anything to save them.

Vittoria’s gaze shimmered with dark victory. She knew he’d take the deal.

Hearts were one of her favorite sources of power.

Seeing no alternative, Envy gave a slight jerk of his chin.

“What was that?” Vittoria asked sweetly. As if she didn’t damn well know. “You accept?”

He allowed every last drop of hatred he felt for her to shine through in his expression.