I wonder if it was when I flipped him off when I was dancing with Grayson that was completely out of character. It had to have been then, or it’ll mean that everything before that…wasn’t for my sister, it was for me.
My heart thuds furiously as I await his response.
“Before we got down the stairs,” Ender says.
Dread creeps down my spine, coiling through my bones like vines. He has known theentirenight.
“How?” I demand.
That is impossible. Nobody ever knows.
“You talk too much,” he replies evenly. “And you’re mean.”
He’s not being honest with me. I was barely speaking then. I fold my arms over my chest, annoyed that he is withholding the truth from me. His gaze dips for just a fraction of a second to my breasts.
“Stop gawking at my breasts!”
His eyes return to mine.
“I wasn’t,” he says. An angry flush crawls up his cheekbones. “Did I mention how arrogant you are?”
“I could say the same,” I shoot back. “So what now?”
He studies me, head tilted, like he’s rearranging a game board in his mind. He’s figuring out exactly how he plans to control me.
“Do you want to return to the Forge as Mercy?”
“Of course.”
“From now on,” he says, “you will attend all public gatherings. Not your sister.You. Especially our wedding ceremony.”
My stomach drops.
“It will take place one month from now, at my family estate,” he continues. “Our vows will be true. You will be my wife in name and virtue.”
“Mercy will be a good wife,” I add quickly. “She’s kind. She’s patient and?—”
“One more word,” Ender interrupts, his tone sharpening, “and I’ll tell Warrick everything. The engagement will be dissolved. You’ll both return home disgraced and constantly under his watch.”
He steps closer again. I can see the flecks of silver in his eyes.
“The choice is yours,” he says. “Oh, and Warrick?”
“What?”
“This thing between you and Sullivan ends tonight,” Ender says, his voice dropping in warning. “If I find out otherwise, I will destroy him. Is that understood?”
“Gray is just a friend,” I say. “We haven’t kissed in mon?—”
“Do not brief me on the details,” he cuts me off. “Just end it.”
“Why does it even matter who you marry?” I whisper. “You don’t even like my sister or me.”
Ender reaches up and tucks a loose strand of hair behind my ear. His fingers brush my skin.
“I suppose,” he says softly, “that’s what makes it all the more fun.”
There is no real choice. Either Mercy is forced to return in my stead and face my enemies while I remain stuck here. Or he tells Warrick the truth.
