“Don’t worry, we’re leaving, Titus,” Selene announces. “Sable feels more at home surrounded by discarded waste and trash.” She glances around the room at the burnt vines strewn across the floor. “Isn’t that right, Sable?”
“I will kill you,” Sable confirms, voice like pure death.
“Upset your leash was shortened?” Selene crosses her arms. “I’d tell you to go run to Father, but you burned that bridge a long time ago. Yet again, your feet stand in ashes. One might think it’s a most fitting end for you, to be left alone, surrounded by ash and dust until you wither away and join it.”
“You might’ve had Everett’s favor, but he would have traded it, killed you himself, to have what I do.” Sable’s golden skin practically glows.
Selene’s posture relaxes, as if this back-and-forth were as serene as birds chirping. Maybe it is for them; as for me, I feel the need to purge my ears. “You have nothing but favors that will eventually run out.” Selene’s exhale is a ship that survived a storm, steady and calm.
Sable’s brows raise slowly, like a feline pulling back her lips to expose sharp teeth. “It’s funny how quickly nothing can turn intosomething. Value is like worth. It all depends on how you market it, and I, dear sister, have something that will bring you to your knees.”
Selene rebuts as if this is a practiced game she’s an expert in. “It will be an interesting and new viewpoint since I haven’t sunk to my knees in order to find that worth you talk about.”
Shit! Selene is good. Wicked but good.
A warm hand slips into mine. “Come, Titus, I have lots to show you if you are to make a good personal guard.”
“Personal guard?” Sable’s lip twitches. A rare sign she is caught off guard. Noted.
“Yes.”
“I know what you are doing.” Sable crosses her arms. “You’re trying to make Galen think this is not a punishment. No matter what you do, it will be. Trapped with the man who killed your precious Everett. What did Galen leverage over your head to keep Titus alive? Is it your pretty neck? You kill Titus, his war hero, and he kills you.”
“Maybe it was you?”
Sable hesitates for a fraction of a second. “No, he’d be dead already.”
“Would he be?” Selene steals that sly smile off her twin’s face and wears it. “Wasn’t it you who mentioned, just hours ago, thatI would be the one to kill you, only to bring you back? Maybe I am biding my time until I can kill two birds,” Selene looks at me, then at Sable, “with one stone.”
How can I keep up with the debauchery of the threats they sling at each other?
“Now, if you'll excuse me.” Selene raises her chin. “I have a crown I need to put on my head.” She shoves her shoulder into Sable’s as she passes.“Come along, Titus, you can polish it while I brush my hair,” Selene purrs, gracefully walking over the rubble and exiting her room.
Don’t look. Why did you look? My eyes find Sable. Did I put my trust in the wrong twin? Each requires a mage to mend their twisted minds.
Sable’s lips part. “Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
Is that another threat or words of wisdom I should heed?
Chapter
Thirteen
Selene
You’re almost there! Almost free of her.
I rush into the room, part my lips, but where is my breath?
Breathing feels too hard an act to do.
I stumble further into the living room, where I usually eat my breakfast. It’s large and grand, littered with chairs and couches, a fireplace, and a game table—a stupid place where I am meant to entertain nobles’ wives.
I never have.
I’m not fake as fuck.
You want to gossip over tea and crumpets? Find someone else to bother.
