The Sweetest Burn (Broken Destiny #2)(78)

Part of me couldn't believe that this was really about to happen, yet the rest of me wasn't the least surprised. So many momentous events in my life had been thrown at me with nary a warning of catch! that this seemed par for the course. Yes, it was a destiny-altering tethering that would bind us together in ways I still didn't really understand. Yes, we still had to figure out a way to find the staff before more realms started clobbering this world, and yes, a permanent, soul-binding ritual kinda meant that I'd end up with a demon for a father-in-law, so...it was a lot to take in.

This was my life, however, and although we didn't have a lot of wiggle room on our to-do list, if I'd learned anything over the past several months, it was that we had to live every moment to the fullest because any one of them could be our last. Put in that light, it would be foolish not to make the most of our soul-tethering ritual. As Adrian had said, it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

"So tell me, where do you want to go to say goodbye to your days as a single former demon prince?" I asked with a grin.

Adrian kissed me with such passion that I almost forgot what we were talking about. "Get showered and dressed, and I'll show you," he murmured against my lips.

Then he spun around, saying to Zach, "Stay here with Ivy. I'll be right back."





  CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

IN A HIGH-END hotel like this, I expected the bathroom to be stocked with toiletries, and I was right. After I showered to get all of the nasty river water, dirt and blood off me, then blow-dried my hair, I left the black-and-white marble bathroom to find a gorgeous new dress laid out on the king-size bed.

The duvet on the bed was royal blue, which made the pearlescent dress stand out more vividly against the dark fabric. I touched the bottom of the dress, which flared out mermaid-style against the fitted body, and the material slipped like raindrops through my fingers. I'd say that it was silk, except that it was diaphanous, and the color was the most beautiful blend of white, pink and pale gray. If I had to name the blend of colors, I'd call it ashes of dawn, and the dress was so beautiful, I was almost afraid to put it on.

Of course I did, and then spun around just to see the fabric billow around my legs. It was strapless except for the single thin swath of fabric over my left shoulder, so I wouldn't be able to wear my bra. At least with the snug, square cut and the thicker, opaque material across the chest, I didn't need one.

I did need shoes, though, and I was glad to see a pair of heels by the bottom of the bed. They fit, although like the dress, they were a little too small. Still, I was amazed that Adrian had managed to find anything this nice, let alone close to my size. The clock showed a quarter to five in the morning, so no shops would be open. Guess the same hotel store that Adrian had gotten our other clothes at had fancier attire, as well. And as the hotel owner, Adrian must have unlimited access.



       
         
       
        

I ran a hand through my hair, wishing I could style it into something prettier, but my hair spray and curling iron were back in the bus. So was my makeup bag, not that I could have done a great job of primping without being able to look at myself. All the mirrors in this suite had either been broken or removed. Adrian's friend, the manager, must have had employees scurrying like mad to do that during our fruitless drive to Long Island.

"No need to be concerned," a voice said from behind me. "Your appearance is quite pleasant."

I swung around, stunned more by his words than by how Zach had snuck up on me. "Was that a compliment?"

His expression remained serious even as the faintest smile pulled at his mouth. "Compliments cater to vanity. This was merely my stating an observation."

"Bullshit," I said with an amused snort. "You just gave me a compliment. Be a big Archon and own it."

"Are you ready, Ivy?" Adrian asked from the other room.

I gave my hair a final swipe before letting the dark brown waves settle naturally around my shoulders. "Yes."

Adrian walked in, having showered in the bathroom adjoining the suite's other, smaller bedroom. It had been less than an hour since I'd seen him, and in that time, he'd not only managed to get me a beautiful new dress; he'd also found an elegant black suit for himself. His dark gold hair was slightly tousled, as if he'd been running around after his shower, which he must have been, considering all he'd done. His jaw was smooth from a fresh shave, and his silver-rimmed, deep blue eyes had never resembled sapphires more than they did now as he stared at me.