Driven by instinct, my gaze darts across the room, catching Xavier’s just as he turns at the disturbance. His expression shifts from confusion to fury in an instant, his body tensing as if to rush forward. I want to warn him off, to discourage him from breaking rank and getting in trouble. But I can’t let his father discover my feelings for his son, so I stand still, my expression neutral.
Xavier watches me, his jaw clenched tightly, muscles rippling along his neck as he fights against the invisible chains of loyalty that bind him to his place in line. To the Order. His hands, balled into fists at his sides, reveal the battle raging within him, a storm of anger and helplessness that reflects what I’m experiencing.
The council member leans down, his proximity making my stomach churn with nausea. “‘A bride represents a recruit’sstanding within the ranks, as well as the victories he’s earned through prowess, cunning, and strength.’” His words from the night of the Bride Hunt wrap around me like a hand to the throat.
He continues, every syllable a reminder. And a threat. “Howyouact reflects on your recruit. So, what are you going to do, bride? Call for my son’s help? Or behave and come along quietly?”
I can feel the blood drain from my face. Xavier’s eyes, still locked onto mine, convey a new torrent of emotions. There’s still anger, yes, a fierce, protective rage that seems to make the very air around him simmer. But beneath that, there’s also fear, a stark terror at the idea that he can’t intervene and save me from his father.
Just like I’ve never heard Xavier beg, I’ve never seen him afraid.
I turn back to the reflection, meeting the eyes of the man who holds me captive. “I’ll come with you.”
The words are like acid in my mouth, but I won’t do anything that will get Xavier hurt. Not when he’s done so much to protect me. The scar on my stomach, once a source of conflict between me and my recruit, is now a reminder of his willingness to keep me safe.
Xavier’s father leads me briskly away from the ballroom, his grip firm and unyielding on my arm. I quicken my steps to keep up, using my free hand to grip my skirts and keep them from getting tangled in my feet. As we walk, the opulent corridors of the castle give way to more austere and functional areas. Each step takes us further from the grandeur where the evening began and deeper into the strategic heart of the castle.
As we enter a large, dimly lit room, I’m immediately struck by the array of screens and equipment that fills the space. It’s a big contrast to the historic charm of the rest of the castle. Thisroom is modern, clinical, designed for surveillance and control. A large table takes up the center of the room, surrounded by twelve chairs, each place set with a legal pad and a pen. Aside from that, there are desks along the wall that support several monitors. They display live feeds from various cameras positioned throughout the castle, particularly focusing on a collection of dungeon cells.
Is that where the recruits are being taken?
The council member releases my arm, allowing me a moment to rub the sore spot where his fingers dug in too tightly. He moves to the center of the room, gesturing broadly at the screens. The other men, younger and less important crows, operate the stations, keeping their gazes from me and on the computers.
“Here they come,” the older man begins, his voice eerily calm, almost proud. “This is where we’ll watch and evaluate the second Trial. Every moment, every decision—it’ll all be observed and analyzed here. As my guest, you’ll be allowed to watch.”
I follow his gesture, scanning the monitors. I catch glimpses of the recruits being ushered into the cells, the small figures pacing or sitting in sparse, stone rooms. The only thing in the space is a wooden table, the surface full of chemistry equipment. My heart clenches as I search for Xavier among the men, my fear and concern for him gnawing at me incessantly.
The council member smirks at me. “Looking for Xavier, are you? Don’t worry, he’s here.” He taps on a screen to bring up a clearer image of a cell where Xavier stands alone, his expression tense and alert. “Your effect on my son has been...interestingto watch,” he continues, turning back to face me. “Xavier has never been one to show emotion. Yet with you, he seems to forget himself. It’s quite fascinating.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I say, waving my hand in a nonchalant manner. “He just likes to fuck me. And I like expensive shit. That’s all. So why am I here, Mr. Donovan?”
“Call me Edward.”
“I’ll stick to D-bag, thanks.” When he narrows his eyes, I say, “D for Donovan, you know?”
He walks up to me, his gaze probing mine so fiercely that I step back. “I almost believe you,” he says, “but I know my son better than you ever will. I’m the one who trained him, the one who made him the man he is today. The cold and unfeeling bastard that everyone fears and respects. You can drop the act and I’ll give you what you want.”
I tilt my head. “What I want?”
“Freedom, of course. If you tell me the truth about my son’s feelings toward you, I’ll guarantee that you’ll be given financial security and the opportunity to live a life where you won’t have to worry about being a prisoner of the Order. But if not… who knows what will happen to you.”
I stare at him, absorbing the gravity of his words. Despite my playacting, this deranged man is fully aware of my lack of finances and my desire to be rid of the Order. It could be chalked up to common sense, but that doesn’t stop tendrils of vulnerability from snaking around me, constricting and inducing panic. I don’t want to betray Xavier, but his father might not give me a choice.
Am I willing to die for Xavier?
Chapter 25
DELILAH
“What do you want me to say?” I ask. “That Xavier loves me and can’t live without me? If you know your son as well as you say you do, then you know that’s bullshit.”
Edward lifts his chin in disdain. “Given his recent behavior, I suspect that he cares about you, which means he can be broken. I want you to prove that to me, bride. Prove that he has a weakness, that he can be defeated.”
“Why do you want to hurt him?”
“It’s about ensuring the stability and the future of the Order. Everything I do serves a greater purpose, even if it requires sacrifices. If he’s a liability to this society, he must be destroyed.”
My eyes widen. “Even if he’s your son?”
