I turn away from him, looking out at the crowd as I mutter back, “It was a lie.”
What a filthy liar I’m turning out to be. I am in no way ready to start to unpack the possessiveness I felt the moment Gabrielle tried to place her hand on Sin. So, instead of trying to make sense of it, I blame Cassandra’s memories and shove the thought away where it won’t distract me tonight.
Mercifully, Sin lets the subject drop when we spot yet another group of emissaries, whom we have yet to speak to, waving at us.
I sigh, “Can I take a small break? Just to collect myself?”
I’ve had more small talk tonight than most of my life. My social batteries are running dangerously low, and I know that if I don’t take a breather, I’m going to crash hard.
Sin eyes me, almost looking concerned, before he motions to Rosie, who is flitting between tables not far away, to come over. “Don’t move from this spot. Understood? Rosie, apparate her away if danger comes,” he orders, not leaving room for argument.
“Of course,” Rosie chirps, and the faint sound of alarm bells carries with her voice.
Sin looks back at me, and there’s a warning in his expression. “Stay out of trouble,” he grumbles.
I frown at him, mildly insulted. “I don’t get in trouble.”
Sin rolls his eyes and pulls me to him, kissing my forehead before striding away.
“You know, you guys are really convincing as a couple,” Rosie notes as she stands beside me at the table.
I huff at her words, “We’re acting. Sin and I don’t even like each other,” I add, using the automatic answer I keep telling myself.
Rosie just grins, and I turn away from her to stare at the small, empty plate in front of me. “Huh, I guess the castle enchantment doesn’t come out this far.”
“What castle enchantment?” Rosie asks, confused.
I motion to the plate. “The enchantment on the castle. You know, the one that makes all the food and automatically fills our plates.”
I’ve rarely bothered lifting the serving spoon, deciding I trust the castle’s enchantment to make better dietary choices than me. So far, it has yet to disappoint.
Rosie purses her lips in response, looking like she’s trying her best not to laugh at me.
I frown at her. “What?”
“Vivian, there is no food enchantment. One of us apparates in the food from the Shadow Realm cities. And someone else has been filling your plate for you when you’re not looking.” Rosie looks like she’s having the time of her life, watching me figure this out.
There went my goal to be more aware of my surroundings. I thought I was doing so well, too.Which now begs the question. Who would bother to fill my plate and do it without me noticing them?
The moment I ask myself, I already know the answer. Rosie wouldn’t have bothered to try and hide the fact that she was feeding me.
Still, I ask, “Who?”
I hope I’m wrong.
“Sin, of course. It’s kind of sweet how you both try to act like you don’t like each other,” Rosie answers, winking at me.
I’m speechless.
My plate filled with food, even before Sin and I found a way to coexist. He was feeding me, even when he thought the worst of me.
That makes no sense at all.
Why?
I turn to ask Rosie but am shocked to see her slumping back, eyes rolling behind her head. My stomach drops, but a hard voice stops me cold before I can shout out. “Make a single sound, mortal, and your friend dies.”
Artorix is behind her, a dagger pressed against Rosie’s side.
