Tarnished Embers: A Dark Stepbrother Fairytale Retelling (Dark Retellings)

“Prince, darling. A word.”

My son, the only one of them who is my blood, pauses. Then with a knot in the back of his jaw, he ushers the others out before closing the door behind them. I see the flash of a scowl on his handsome face when he turns to face me, a face that’s served me and the rest of our ragtag family well so many times before. I’ve been lucky that all my stepchildren, even the newest, are all fantastic-looking.

“Yes, Odette?” His tone is wary, his beautiful face now a blank mask, and it irks me.Belonging © NôvelDram/a.Org.

I sigh. “Why do you never call me mother? I gave birth to you after all.” The lines around his eyes tighten, his upper lip curling ever so slightly, and I smile at the loss of control. He rarely lets me see this much, which just shows that my plan of using the girl is working. She’s making him, and the others if I’m not mistaken, feel much more than they have in years. I’d noticed how they’d just shut off in recent years, not to mention the restlessness I felt from all of them. I needed a means of control, and that pretty little bitch is proving to do nicely.

“We both know that you gave up the right to that title long ago, Odette.” His words are meant to cut, but I stopped feeling pain around the time that his father walked out on us, leaving me to care for a small child with no money or a way to provide for him, but I managed. I always do.

“You understand that this means we will need to host a party soon. You’ll need to get the others ready.” My pulse quickens, the idea of what I can make in one night leaving me a little breathless. Especially if my delightful stepdaughter gets involved.

His jaw works, and I raise a brow. “We won’t do it. Not now that we’re with Ember.”

“Oh really? And does she know about the number of men and women you’ve all slept with? About the parties and how you all took part with very little prompting, desperate to get your dicks wet?” His nostrils flare, his fists clenching, but it’s all the answer I need. “I didn’t think so. Plus, I would have thought that you’d prefer it to be you boys as the chief attraction.”

His eyes narrow, and I bite the inside of my cheek to stop the smile from spreading across my lips. This has worked better than I ever dared hope.

“What the fuck do you mean?” he seethes, taking a step closer as if to intimidate me. It doesn’t work though. I’ve got too much on him and his brothers to comprehend fear around them.

“Such foul language, son. I know that the women you take like you to mistreat them, but I am not among them, so I’d appreciate it if you watched your tongue.” His posture is stiff, his muscles rigid, and the heady rush of power I feel at having him, having them all at my command is enough to brighten my day.

“Apologies, Odette.” He takes an inhale, slowly pushing the breath out through his nostrils. He doesn’t mean it, I know he doesn’t, but frankly, I don’t care as long as he does as he’s told, just like always. “What do you mean by us being the chief attraction?”

“Oh, that.” I wave my hand like it’s of no consequence. “Well, people will pay handsomely for a young filly. Especially if she’s unwilling.” His face drains of colour, and this time I let some of my smile show through. “I’m so glad we understand each other. It benefits all of us after all. You wouldn’t want your dear little sister to give up her dreams of art college to work in McDonald’s, would you? Never mind the trauma that the other experience might have on her.”

He’s silent, his fists clenched so tightly by his sides that his knuckles have gone white.

“I’ll tell them.” His words are barely audible, but I hear them all the same, and the rush I get from his acquiescence is one I’ve not experienced for a while.

“Good. Now run along, I have some business to attend to.” I look down at the papers strewn on the desk, dismissing him.

The door closes behind him and I smile fully, knowing that I have given myself more time to work out this shitshow. Taking the paper from the desk drawer, my fingers wrinkle it as rage fills my veins.

My dear departed husband left everything, the entirety of his estate and fortune to his darling daughter. Oh sure, he left me enough to get by, but that was not what I signed up for, but then, he’s a man, and they never fulfil the promises they make, I know that more than most.

I had to think quickly when I received his last Will and Testament, but as with most things in life, anything can be sorted with a little money to smooth the way. Employing my solicitor to read a Will of my making wasn’t difficult, and once I’ve destroyed this one, I doubt anyone will ever discover the true contents.

Now, to work out how to get the money and estate. I could marry her off to Prince, but he’s a stubborn bastard and that would finally give him the power to leave me, just like his father all those years ago. He told me I was too clingy, too demanding. I just wanted what was best for us, but he couldn’t see it, couldn’t handle my ambition.

Prince is so like his father; dark, handsome, and so damn broody. He was the only thing left of the man I gave my heart to, the only man I ever loved. I could never let Prince go, but just like his father, he’d leave me if he could, and I can’t have that.

No, I need to think of something else. Something that will ensure I get what I’m owed, and I am owed. I’ve found in life that you have to take what you want, by any means necessary.