Because the night he’d turned, he’d come to the castle and killed the very man who would have saved Agripa.
“And he trusted you that readily?” Thalia pushed aside the emotions clogging her throat, the rage that was as dark as the room.
“I couldn’t stay in the human realm after it happened. I think the prince realized I had nothing left to lose.”
Because even if he hadn’t committed such a heinous crime, he didn’t have any family left. He had nothing left in Agripa, except her. She’d thought she was his family. She and Marcus and Reina.
But apparently the gods had decided the sentiment was a joke. Because her true family would never have done what he did. Would never have betrayed her so readily.
She still couldn’t stomach asking him how it happened, how he’d even come upon a Vampyr in Agripa and gotten turned. Instead, she said, “Is that couch comfortable?”
Cassius grunted. “No. It’s like sleeping on a hard plank.”
Thalia couldn’t help the smile that quirked her lips. “A shame we’re still bound and you have to sleep in here.”
“A shame considering I still have two weeks on this thing.”
“The prince won’t return sooner?”
“I haven’t gotten word that he will. Trust me, as soon as he’s back, this will all be over.”
Thalia picked at her nails under the covers, her mind churning and churning. The prince wouldn’t return anytime soon. Which left her with nothing. No way to figure out how to get closer to the very creatures who mistrusted her as much as she mistrusted them. And how could she destroy the courts if she couldn’t get close to them? Unless …
A terrible, twisted, partially selfish plan began to form in her mind. One that might just allow her to learn more about this world and complete her mission—to stir up discourse and cause the Vampyrs to turn on one another.
“Well, two weeks on a plank doesn’t seem like it’s going to do anyone any favors,” she finally said.
“What do you mean?”
Thalia rolled her eyes, even though he couldn’t see her. “You sleeping so poorly explains a lot. It’s no wonder you’ve been such a prick.”
“I’vebeen a prick?”
“Yes you have.”
“Then I apologize, Princess. I’ll try to be less of a prick while sleeping on this bed of nails.”
More shuffling ensued, as if Cassius was trying to get comfortable. Thalia took a deep breath, then blurted out. “You can sleep here.”
The silence felt too deafening, and she suddenly wished she hadn’t even suggested it. Shit, this was a terrible plan.
“Sleep with you?” Cassius’s voice echoed.
“We’re stuck together for two weeks. I’d rather deal with a rested, happy Cassius than a prick. Besides, it’s not like proxies don’t share a bed. In fact, I think it’s encouraged, considering the binding oath we’ve taken.”
More silence followed, and Thalia thought Cassius would simply refuse her until soft footsteps padded toward her.
She didn’t move, didn’t turn to watch as he slid into the bed beside her, the mattress dipping slightly.
“Still sleeping on the right side,” Cassius said after he’d settled beside her.
Thalia’s heart rate climbed at his nearness, the scent of him enveloping her, as did the heat of his body. Fuck, she’d forgotten he’d gone to bed shirtless.
“Still being a prick,” she snapped.
Cassius chuckled low. “My apologies, Princess.”
Thalia swallowed, the sound audible. Carefully, she hedged, “What else is going on with the Houses? What other sort of issues does the prince need to know about but can’t since he isn’t here?”
