And Then There Were Four (Lilith Carrie)

Chapter 183: Complications of the Heart

Cassie.

Fated mate?

The moment the dark hair, blue-eyed fae man with pointed ears stepped in front of me proclaiming I was his fated, I found myself completely in shock. Laughter immediately erupted from my lips, and I knew that wasn’t the first impression you wanted someone to have of you, but I couldn't fucking help it. "Oh, wow, man... that's a good one. I think I need a drink."

When I said I needed a drink, it wasn't a glass of water. Pushing past the man, I made my way straight towards the bar area where Odin had many alcoholic beverages on display and grabbed the nearest one that happened to be purple with a tart taste to follow.

At this point, I didn’t care what anyone had to say to me. The moment I downed one glass, I was reaching another until a firm grip on my wrist stopped me, and once again, I looked up into the Fae man's eyes which were narrowed in my direction. "I don’t think you should be drinking that so fast, little one."

Little one? Was he fucking kidding me right now. "Excuse me, I don't even know you.'

Taken aback by my response, he let go of my wrist and chuckled. "You are exactly how he painted you. Feisty, ill-mannered, and yet quite enjoyable."

"Ill-mannered?" I muttered, trying to process his words as I snatched the glass of whatever I was drinking from the table before he could stop me and downed it as well. "I'm not ill-mannered, for your information, and honestly, I don’t know how you approach women in your world, but I have been through too much shit lately to have some random fucking man I don't know come up to me claiming that I'm his fated... get the fuck out of here with that shit. I'm not a prize to be won."

Not bothering to listen to whatever this man had to say, I stormed past him, looking for a way to escape all the men who were longing to have a moment alone with me. I didn' t understand what they expected to happen by having a private conversation with me, but it sure as hell wasn't going to be me letting them sweep me off my feet or whatever the hell they imagined doing.

I was a strong independent woman... or so I kept telling myself.

'Cassie, where the hell are you going?" Stopping in my tracks, I turned to face Trixie, who stared at me with an edge of concern in her gaze. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah," I replied quickly, forcing a smile to my lips. "I just can't be in there anymore. It's been hours now, and all the faces and guys touching me is too much. None of them is the face I wanted to see, and I'm still coming to terms with that."

Nodding her head, she listened to everything I had to say about the various men I was forced to entertain in the ballroom, and at the end, she furrowed her brows with I told her about the Fae man with eyes the same color as mine.

"Uh, Cassie... did this man happen to be wearing a black suit with a blue and purple sash?-

"Blue and purple sash? I don't know, why that matter?" I asked with confusion.

humor me,

maybe. Actually, yeah, I think he did..." I replied, trying to remember hard what exactly he looked like. The only problem was I couldn't get past the way he called me his fated... and those

I met Trixie's gaze again and saw the ashen look on her face adorned with wide eyes and parted

"Trixie... what's wrong?"

took a deep breath. "Oh, Cassie... that was the fucking Prince of the Fae realm... and you just snubbed him. What the

of me, and as I watched her cover her mouth with her hand and she started to pace in the hallway, I realized it was worse than I

to face me, she paused for a moment opening and closing her mouth. ‘Well, I mean, it could go one of two ways. One, he could be really pissed and offended and complain to Odin, and it could cause war-like issues that result in you begging on your

going to happen. You're out of your damn mind," I snapped quickly, causing her to

crept across her face. "He has been known to like a good game of cat and mouse in which he would blow your mind by making you beg for him. He has

of people this evening, but the two people I wanted to see tonight weren't there. At least not that I

tomorrow." I muttered with irritation. "I can't be out

to your room. I'll let everyone know

Odin said it

with a knowing glance, "that's where people start using their intelligence to

meant, Trixie didn't stay around long enough to explain as I watched her swish her way back toward the ballroom, leaving me standing in the hallway alone. Defeated by everything, I sagged my shoulders

had hoped to avoid this man at all costs tonight,

lips formed into a smirk. "I thought I'd miss my chance to have a moment alone with

sister, and yet fate hated me so much it forced me right into his path. "Unfortunately, I'm not available tonight. Perhaps

ever allow that

say something like that, but honesty..." he sighs, making

"You're fucking insane. There is no way in hell I will ever marry you. Unfortunately, I’m not into that kind of

means and dressed up right now in this three- piece suit, I had no doubt most women drooled over him. He was very good-looking. The problem was he was my cousin, and the intimate position in which he had

I snapped at him, struggling in

made my heart race as he leaned closer to me. "What are you going to

him again, he held me down tighter, a cry leaving my lips as his fingers dug into my arms, "you will pay for this shit. Wait until

It's not like you're a virgin. Cassie. We all know that, and honestly, the reputation you have with men already makes you

wasn't going to end well. Mani was trying to make a point, and I was alone with him in the hallway, far away from