Page 16 of Reign

Chapter 4

Elena

Dinner is almost bearable.

Almost.

Clara, my brother’s chef, brings out dessert, and everyone shifts into that strange, softened version of themselves that only happens after food and wine and the temporary illusion that no one at this table has ever ordered a man killed.

Angelo sits at the head like he was carved into the position. Adriana is tucked beside him, her body angled toward his like it belongs there now.

It still catches me sometimes.

She’s beautiful and sharp and warm in a way I didn’t expect. She looks at Angelo like she sees beneath all the Don bullshit and still wants what’s underneath. That alone should make me like her.

Maybe one day it will.

Tonight, it makes something sour twist beneath my ribs.

Because Angelo has Adriana.

Santo has Vasilisa.

And neither relationship began as a love story.

They were arrangements. Contracts. Alliances dressed in vows and rings and family duty. Men like my brothers deciding which woman belongs where, which marriage buys peace, which bride strengthens an empire.

I don’t hate them for falling in love. I don’t think Vasilisa is weak or Adriana surrendered. They’re strong. Clever. Dangerous in their own ways.

And still, this world took their choices first.

Love came after.

Maybe I’m supposed to look at them and see hope. Maybe if my brothers turn my name into an alliance and a stranger slides a ring onto my finger, I’m supposed to believe I could survive it too. Love him, even.

God, that thought makes me want to laugh.

Or scream.

Maybe both.

Elena Amato. A daughter. A sister. A bargaining chip with a pulse.

Collateral.

And what will I get when it is my turn?

A stranger. A treaty. A ring that feels like a shackle.

My gaze slips to Riot beside me.

For a moment, my brain offers him up like an escape route.

But Riot brings no alliance. No territory. No empire my brothers can fold into theirs.

He’s only Riot.

I look away before anyone catches me and thinks there’s more than there is.