My face burns. He’s bluffing. Only my sister knows the truth about me. “I have full control over all my magic. Including what your father bound.”
“We both know you’re lying. You think I wouldn’t research where you came from? The truth about you and your sister? Don’t try me, Brevan. If I have to, I will turn her against you. Then I’ll make you watch while I take my time killing her. And you’ll live. You’ll live through all of it. Because we both know, it’s not yet your time. Your sister might occasionally make mistakes,but she’s never changed her prediction about how andwhereyou die.”
“She’ll never want you,” I tell him.
“We’ll see about that.” He opens the door. “I don’t care how you do it. Break her heart if you have to, but fucking end it.” He slams the door behind him.
Twenty-Five
Sabina
There’s a whole stack of books in front of me, but I can’t focus enough to read any of them. I’m vaguely aware of the conversations happening around me, but they’re somewhere far away. It’s like I’m not here.
I’m in Brevan’s arms. In his bed. Our legs entwined, our hands exploring, our mouths…
“Your Majesty?”
Antonia elbows me, and I look up with a start. My whole body lights up at the sight of him, and I don’t try to mask my smile.
“Enforcer, what can we do for you?” Antonia says, her tone reminding me of my place.
Charlotte giggles, then buries her face into the crook of her elbow to silence herself. I hurry to fix my expression. Just because my ladies figured it out, doesn’t mean I need to make it obvious for anyone else.
Besides, as far as anyone knows, I’m a perfectly loyal married woman. Even if my husband is finding his pleasure elsewhere.
“Can I speak to you for a moment? There’re a few things we need to discuss before the emperor and I leave,” he says.
“Oh, of course.” I leave my chair and follow him into the hall. Nate, who’s been standing nearby watching us in the library, moves so he can see us but doesn’t join us in the hall.
“You’re leaving soon?” I ask.
“Yes. They’re already preparing the horses.”
“I hope your journey is safe and that your sister is well. Will you check on Anya for me? I don’t know if he’ll allow her back, but the things he said about your sister…”
“I will see what I can do about Anya. I’m sure she’s fine. But I don’t have a lot of time.”
“Of course. What did you need to tell me?” My chest is so full of fluttering that it might explode. Even if I can’t touch him, can’t tell him what I really want to say, knowing he’s mine again means everything.
He retrieves a pouch from his pocket and hands it to me. My brow furrows. “What is this?”
“Herbs. They told me you might be a little nauseous, but otherwise it should eliminate the uh…the…”
I hold the bag out to him. “Don’t worry. My courses returned this morning. I’m not pregnant.”
He lets out a long breath, then returns the bag to his pocket. “Good.”
“Was that it? Was that what you wanted to tell me?” I want there to be more, but I know how dangerous it is already for us to be talking like this.
“No. There’s something else.” His expression suddenly hardens, his body tenses.
I take a step back automatically, and the flutters turn to twisting anxiety. Something is wrong. “What is it?”
“I was wrong. Last night was a mistake.”
“You’ve said that before,” I tease.
“Yes, because it’s the right call. You showed up, and I was craving company. You offered release, I took it.” His words are cold and impersonal.
