Page 708 of Coal Hearts

“I...” Henri licked his bloodied lips. “I don’t care what you think. Just...” He groaned and almost passed out again. “Let her go.”

“I’m more inclined to continue with my little experiment.”

“Wh-What experiment?”

“Judging the power of love over evil, of course.”

Henri coughed and winced. It took a while for him to get his breath back.

Victor smiled dotingly. “Do you admit you’re in love with her, mon ami? No lies this time. My patience is at an end.”

Henri hung his head. He took forever to answer but finally, his shoulders sagged. “I do.”

“Are you aware that while you two were playing your little game against me, I was playing one against you?”

I froze.

Peter shot me a look.

But Henri merely sighed. “You’re saying our friendship...that...was—” He swallowed hard and jerked with pain. “The game?”

“It was.” Victor smiled broadly. “I watched what Ilyana did to earn your trust and...copied her.” He prowled around the altar, trailing his finger along Henri’s bloody body. “She gave you companionship, so I gave you companionship. She talked to you in the shower and beneath your blankets, so I talked to you about my businesses.” Stopping before Henri, he grabbed his chin and snarled, “Every secret I gave you, every story I shared was given in good faith. A direct retaliation for whatever secret she gave you and whatever story she shared. Each time I did my best to be your friend, you fucked me off whenever you’d look at her instead of me. How could a silly little girl compete with what I offered you? How could you let your dick control your future when I offered you one of untold wealth and power?”

Letting Henri go, Victor sneered. “I was willing to forget every lie you ever told me. I was willing to trust you even when you gave me nothing to trust. She might’ve opened her heart to you, Mercer, but...so did I.”

Pressing a fist to his chest, Victor smeared his knuckles in the cut Henri had managed to give him. “I played the same game she did and in her eyes. In your eyes...I lost. But...” He slowly lowered his hand and cocked his head. “The thing is, Henri, I don’t lose. Ever. I’ve played your little game, but now, you’re going to play one of mine. You were never going to leave my island. Everything I told you will die with you. You only have two options left and you should be lucky I’m even offering you that.”

Henri spat another mouthful of blood. “What are...my options?”

“Die. Here and now. It wouldn’t take much. You’re already mostly there.”

“Or?” He trembled on the altar.

“Or you finish the Diamond Kiss. Kill Ilyana and this all ends.”

“If you know me—” Henri cut himself off, his breath catching. It took another long moment for him to work through his agony and finish. “—as well as you think...you do.” He swiped at blood trickling down his temple. “You know that’s...not possible.”

“I thought you’d say that.” Victor huffed. “And I will admit, it irks me.”

“Then kill me and—” he grunted and grabbed his beaten ribs “—get it over with.”

Tapping his fingers against his bottom lip, Victor paused. He looked between me and Henri, his eyes shadowed with malice.

“What would you give me if I agreed to let Ily live?” He chuckled. “For now, at least.”

Henri tipped forward, a rush of unconsciousness sending him plummeting to the floor.

Three guards shot forward and kept him on the altar.

Victor tapped his cheek, rousing him again. “Go on. What will you give me after I’ve given you so much? If I’m the bigger man and forgive you for stabbing me. What would you give me in return?”

Henri blinked and met Victor’s gloating eyes.

They held a stare forever before Henri let out a disbelieving huff. His gaze widened as if seeing a truth he hadn’t wanted to acknowledge. “You...you want me.”

Victor’s lips twitched. “I’ve been honest about that from the start. I want a friend. A companion—”

“No.” Henri sat a little taller, finding strength from nowhere. “You...want me.”