“No.” Nadi shook her head. And it was clear Lana already knew that from her spies, anyway. “Somewhere else. A property owned by Ivan, I think. I honestly don’t know. I wasn’t reallyawake when we got there or when we left. Everything has been a bit hazy.”
Mael’s massive hand settled on her shoulder, surprisingly gentle. “You poor thing. My brother has a habit of letting others suffer for his mistakes.” His golden eyes searched hers. “You understand now, don’t you? What I was trying to warn you about?”
Nadi allowed herself to lean into his touch, just slightly. Just enough to suggest vulnerability. “He did save me,” she whispered, the half-truth easier to deliver than she expected. “He could have left me to die there.”
“But at what cost?” Lana snarled with shocking vitriol. “What did he demand in return for thissalvation?”
Nadi flinched, the reaction not entirely feigned. The memory of Raziel’s fangs at her throat, of her life draining away, was still too fresh. “I…I don’t know. But I feel myself being sucked in deeper and I don’t know if I can ever escape.” That was the moons’ honest truth, wasn’t it?
Lana looked like her heart broke in half. The woman took Nadi into her arms and held her in an embrace that feltreal.Slowly, the blonde released her, but her pink eyes lingered on hers, searching for something. “I am so sorry.”
Mael’s expression darkened. “My brother never does anything without calculating the potential benefits for himself.” His thumb stroked her shoulder in what was clearly meant to be a comforting gesture. “Did he hurt you, Monica? You can tell us.”
The question hung in the air between them, weighted with implications. Nadi could see what they wanted—confirmation of Raziel’s cruelty, evidence they could use against him. And part of her, the part that still burned with the need for vengeance, whispered that she should give it to them. Use their hatred of their brother to her advantage.
But the truth was, Raziel hadn’t hurt her. Not deliberately. He had been lost in blood starvation, barely conscious of his actions. And she had offered herself willingly. And he had stopped himself from killing her.
She wondered what Mael would think if he knew the truth—that she had chosen to save Raziel’s life at nearly the cost of her own. That in that moment of decision, her hatred had been overcome by something far more complicated and dangerous.
“Monica?” Mael prompted, his voice gentle but insistent.
Nadi let tears fill her eyes. Ones that weren’t entirely fabricated. She was so tired of weaving lies within lies, of keeping track of which version of herself she was supposed to be in each moment. “I’m sorry. I can’t…”
The pain wasn’t feigned. The exhaustion was real. She was just carefully directing it toward the narrative they wanted to hear.
“It’s all right.” It was Mael’s turn to pull her into an embrace, his massive frame enveloping her completely. “You don’t have to say it. We understand. Believe us, we understand.”
Over his shoulder, Nadi caught Lana’s expression—a mixture of satisfaction and calculation that sent a chill down her spine. Whatever game the Sweetheart Mistress was playing, she wasn’t motivated by concern for Monica’s well-being.
“The important thing,” Lana’s tone was suddenly soft with manufactured sympathy, “is that you survived. And now you have choices, Monica. Real choices.”
Mael released her, though his hands remained on her shoulders. “Remember what I told you. When the time comes, I can protect you from him. Fromallof this.”
“We both can,” Lana added. “After the wedding, everything will change. The question is, where will you stand when it does?”
The implication was clear. Their offers still stood—betrayal for protection. Raziel’s life in exchange for a place in the family. The question was,what were they planning?
Nadi lowered her gaze, playing the part of the conflicted victim once more. “I don’t know what to do,” she whispered. “I’m afraid.”
“Fear is wise in this family,” Mael said grimly. “But you don’t have to decide anything now. Just…keep your eyes open. And remember that you have allies.”
“Does your mother suspect anything?” Nadi asked, deliberately changing the subject. “About…about us taking so long to return?”
Lana’s laugh was brittle. “Mother suspects everything and everyone. It’s how she’s survived this long.” She touched Nadi’s arm lightly. “But don’t worry about her. Focus on keeping yourself alive until the wedding.”
“And after?” She allowed herself once more to let real fear and vulnerability play on her voice. “Once you’ve…made whatever move it is you’re making?”
“After,” Mael replied, his golden eyes meeting hers with disturbing intensity, “you’ll need to make your choice. And quickly. You’ll know when the moment comes.”
Lana glanced toward the door. “You should return to Raziel before he becomes suspicious. Remember—say nothing of our conversation.”
Nadi nodded, straightening her posture and carefully reassembling the mask over the mask over the mask she wore every day to survive this stupid political nonsense. “Thank you. Both of you.”
As she turned to leave, Mael caught her hand. “One more thing. Where is Raziel keeping the ledger from Braen’s club? The one with the trafficking records?”
The question caught her off guard. She hadn’t expected them to know about that. “I honestly don’t know. He didn’t tell me.” She paused. “But I think I could get it.”
Mael studied her face for a long moment, then released her hand. “Of course he didn’t. My brother trusts no one, not even those closest to him. But if youcouldget it, Monica, that would be very valuable.”
