I’d won this round. I’d need to train for five hours to shake off the lust, but I’d won.
Carmine glanced back to inspect me through a cooled gaze. Just one whisper from ice. “There is. Our intention ceremony will move forward to the evening after Tiers.”
I crossed my arms. Like hell it would. “The deal is off.”
“Complete the next ritual, or I will drag you to the dungeons to watch your sister die.”
My stomach didn’t pulse a warning, but I’d proceed with caution. The dungeons were the last place I wanted him to drag me. “Without her alive, I’ll never agree to more rituals with you.”
Carmine turned back. “Correct as usual, my cunning mate. I should torture her instead. That is what you will watch each time you seek to deny our mating.”
I said nothing.You can assume that I’m trapped for now.
Athira was right when she said the dungeons were Carmine’s weakness. He remained afraid of them. If I could ever feel sure of my power over him,thatwas where I’d lock him for the rest of his days.
Though I’d never be so stupid.
Carmine had to die.
I smiled, imagining decapitating him. “I look forward to our joining, Mate-Intended.”
His gaze narrowed, but he bowed in response. “As do I, enamai. I will leave you in peace.”
He must mean “in pieces.”
When Carmine had turned to leave, I called, “While you’re here, I do have a matter to speak with you about.”
If I discussed this with him now, I wouldn’t need to see him later. A girl could dream.
Though he’d paused, he hadn’t faced me.
I said, “The red in Tiers. He has agreed to meet an easy death by my hand if I can secure some protection for his widow and son after he is gone. His parents didn’t like their mating, and they have hounded the young family since in petty revenge.”
“Why don’t you just tell the red you’ll do so, then forget the matter?”
I wrinkled my nose. “Do you know what the word honor means, Carmine?”
“I do. I relinquished the notion long ago.”
Sometimes his voice gained this ancient echo—a weariness that spoke of deep scars.
“How long ago?” I asked despite myself.
He turned to consider me, then answered, “When I became king.”
“Your subjects must rejoice in such a king. But no matter, my honor is not relinquished, and anyway, the red no longer trusts me after I failed in my attempt to heal his son.”
“You wish to protect the mother and son.”
I licked my lips. “The son will not live long, but until his death, yes. He and his mother. They can protect themselves, but not against such targeted spite from powerful reds.”
Carmine’s interest piqued at that. “What powerful reds?”
“The wardens at the outskirts of the realm,” I answered. Owu and his mother were in hiding. Tomorrow or the day after, Owu would “die,” and his mother would return to their home to go on. I had to set things in motion now, especially if Carmine soon discovered Tempest’s escape.
Carmine entered the room. He sat on the bed beside me, and tension flooded my body. The action felt too familiar. And half of my mind was fixed on five minutes prior when I’d spread my legs. My underwear was on the floor.
“Syera, do you have any personal experience with these wardens?”
