“Is that true, dear sister?” Adrian asked, dropping his voice. “Because somehow, in a matter of a few days, you married someone I didn’t approve ofandcame back with guards that I know would rather have me dead.”
I could feel her panic. Her anger. I wanted to squash him for what he was doing to her.
“Let’s not start a war we cannot finish,” Cedar whispered.
“Well put,” Adrian said, having heard her. “Sister?”
Her anger spiked.
“I am prepared to show my loyalty to you,” she vowed. “In any way you deem fit.”
Adrian smiled cruelly at her, his fangs shimmering in the dim lighting ahead.
“And if I ask you to birth an heir for your husband? Or ask you to rent yourself out to royal family heads? Better yet, let’s arrange it. I know the Solei family is dying to get their revenge. What do you say?”
Disgust rolled through the three of us. Another growl spilled from my lips.
I almost attacked.
“Don’t try to scare me with that bullshit,” Aurelia hissed and pushed him away from her. “You need me for things far more important than that.”
“Oh?” He raised a brow. Red flickered in his eyes.
But Aurelia wasn’t fazed. In fact, she brushed invisible dust off her shoulder.
“They’re whispering about you,” she said with a sigh. “Saying you’re too unstable to lead.Crazy. Not just families here and there, but people in the council.”
What is she doing? Why is she goading him?
“You think I care about that? Try again, sister.”
She looked at her nails. “What if I told you one of those damaging your reputation is a traitor, hiding in your mists and feeding intelligence to the council?”
That got to him, just like she said it would.
“No one would dare,” he spat.
She shrugged. “Okay, guess I’m not needed for anything. I’m going to Caspian for some heir-making?—”
“Damn, you really know how to be fucking annoying.”
She turned to him with a smile.
“Runs in the family.”
He let out a growl, not bothering to hide his anger.
“Get me their head by the end of the week.”
Satisfaction rolled through the bond.
“I’ll do you one better. Tomorrow, at the Blood Rites. Let’s make an example out of them.”
His expression changed for the first time, awareness evident on his face, but curiosity was the overwhelming emotion.
Apples from the same tree.Back in the day, this trick would have worked on Aurelia as well.
“Don't make promises you can't deliver.”
