Ysabel shook her head. “You’ll do fine without me. I saw how you handled that snooty nobleman at the coronation. You’ve grown up, baby sister.” She slapped my back. “That’s why I prepared a grown-up prize. I custom-ordered it just for you. Believe it or not, I was going to cheat to let you win, but you kicked my ass without me needing to.”
“Oh? What is it?” I was becoming curious.
As she pushed open her bedroom door, she smiled mysteriously. “That’s a secret—” Her eyes fell on my ankle, noticing the bandage there. “How did you hurt yourself? Who do I need to murder?”
I grinned and plopped down on a chair. “No one. I got a tattoo.” I tugged down my sock and peeled back the bandage to show her. “Do you like it?”
“I love it!” Ysabel clapped her hands. “Elegant and stylish. Mom is going to faint. Please let me watch through a linked book when you show it to her.”
“Crap, I don’t know how I’m going to explain my new position to our parents.” I’d already written to Benoni to tell him and apologizefor my earlier lies. I couldn’t let my own little brother find out from the news circulating around the kingdom. My parents were more difficult, because I couldn’t count on them to be happy for me. Dad would inevitably show up looking for money.
Ysabel snorted. “To be honest, I don’t understand why you still talk to either of them.” She hesitated. “Sorry if that was too blunt. It’s your choice.”
“Don’t be sorry. You’re right. Maybe it would be funnier if everyone back home found out through the town crier. I have guards now to keep people away. If our father tries to borrow money, I don’t even have to look at his face. Communications with Mom can travel through a linked book. If she comments on my appearance, I shut the book.”
“That’s my daringly villainous sister. I’m even more certain you’ll enjoy my gift.”
“Don’t keep me in suspense. What is it?”
Ysabel went to the dresser, removed a black leather box fastened with a padlock, and handed me a key. “Guard this carefully. I want you to know that all of these are new. I ordered them to be made shortly after I came to the city. Some things, even sisters shouldn’t share.”
Now she really had me wondering. I started to put the key into the lock.
Ysabel grabbed my wrist. “No! Not here. Open them with your lover.” She waggled her eyebrows.
“Ugh, you’re driving me insane with curiosity.”
Ysabel pushed me out the door. “Go back to your room first. No need to return to thank me when you see them. I know you’ll be otherwise occupied for quite a while.”
“Fine, be mysterious.” I laughed and let her shove me down the hallway.
Once back in my bedroom, I locked the doorandbarricaded it with a chair. I would not tolerate any interruptions this time. Ari already waited for me, sitting on the bed. He’d changed into male sleepwear.
“Ari?” I asked, just to be sure. I had a strong feeling, though. Not only the clothing, but also his posture and aura was different.
He nodded. “Your sister whispered something about a present for us if I met you here.”
I gestured at the box. “She’s been very mysterious about it. You hold the box, and I’ll open it.” I inserted the key and pulled back the lid. WHAT?!
The box contained several dildos of different sizes, a butt plug, padded handcuffs, and a blindfold. Oh dear. I knew my own sister—so I should have seen this coming. My mind went largely blank, only sororicide remaining. “I’m going to kill her.”
“Why, what is it?” Before I could stop him, Ari turned the box around and looked. “Oh. What is this stuff?” He picked up a harness with a dildo attached.
I winced. “I believe that’s, uh … something for me to use on you. Hypothetically speaking.”
“You’re right. It came with instructions.” Ari picked up the card. “How intriguing. Look, she included numerous sheathes and those new thinner condoms.”
From the heat on my face, I knew I’d turned bright red. “She’s dead. I’m going to become the oldest surviving child in our family the next time I see her. She won’t resist; she knows she has her murder coming. I saw that smirk on her lips. She even told me to open it with you!” Really, I already knew that Ysabel was shameless. I felt angrier at myself for not having the foresight to open the box alone. My outrage covered up a certain level of interest. I’d never seen such fancy toys before.
Ari grinned. “Actually, I think it was quite a thoughtful present. I find this rather intriguing.” He held up the harness.
“Oh? Do you want to try it?” My voice squeaked. I was embarrassed to admit how much the idea interested me too.
“Another time, absolutely.” Ari smiled in a toothy way. “But tonight I’m feeling a bit more dominant.”
While I was trying to think of a calm, reasonable, charming response, a moan escaped my lips.
Ari’s pupils dilated. He reached up to tuck a lock of hair behind my ear. Leaning close, he whispered, “I’d like to try the handcuffs.”
