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“You don’t need to,” I explain, but she’s already crossing the room.

“I need to get ready for work. Have fun with your warriors.” She’s gone with a laugh, the door shutting behind her.

“Thanks, I guess,” Corvin finally says, two seconds too late. He sidesteps Eve, who twists to keep watching him. Creepy.

Lian touches the awful wound on his chest and winces.

“You need to have that looked at,” I suggest, closing the distance between us. “It might be infected.”

But Lian shakes his head. “I’m fine. It’s just a scratch.”

“He’ll say he’s fine on his deathbed,” Corvin insists.

A loud knock comes from the door again, and he rolls his eyes. “What did Insy forget now?”

He wrenches it open, and we all freeze at the sight of the Gamemaster in his fancy purple coat, hair combed just right, and a glinting golden brooch of a flying bird on his lapel. Two guards flank him. And here we are, in barely any clothes and with bed-messed hair. Yet, neither Lian nor Corvin seems bothered.

“My lords,” the arrogant man begins, his lips curling up over perfectly white teeth. “How very domestic of you all. I honestly didn’t expect you both to be keeping company with the king’s most bothersome guest while you’re in our city.” The man glances my way, his gaze narrowing as he looks me over. “You haven’t changed, I see.”

I stiffen, really hating him.

“Is there something we can help you with?” Corvin demands, his voice sharp and clipped.

He lifts his chin, squaring his shoulders. “The king has announced that he’ll receive you this evening. You will be collected when the time comes. I strongly recommend you all dress appropriately. My lords.” He bows his head, then retreats down the hall, the guards close on his heels.

“What an arrogant prick,” I blurt out as Corvin flings the door shut. “But hopefully, that means Kazak can be freed.” Along with that thought comes one where Kazak and I might need to work out what our next move is.

Lian groans loudly, distracting me. “He’s such a drag.” Then he touches his wound again. “Well, anyway, it was fun. I’m going to shower. Do miss me.” He winks and is gone in a heartbeat. All right, that was strange.

I nibble on my lower lip, hating that when I stare at these two monsters, my stomach bursts with butterflies. Excitement flares through me, and that’s wrong. I’m wrong. They’re my enemies, and my head swims with confusion.

I notice Eve trailing after Corvin like a shadow. “Anything I can do for you today, my lord? And I mean anything. Do you need me to oil your body?”

A giggle escapes my lips because I can’t help myself. Did she pick up on some of the love craze over at Scratch’s place last night?

“No!” Corvin grunts under his breath, spins to face her, and points to the corner in the room. “Go stand there as you’re meant to until I call upon your assistance.”

She pouts, then walks to the corner, where she twists around and watches Corvin’s every move.

“This is going to kill me,” he mutters under his breath.

“Just trade her in and get a new one,” I suggest.

“Maybe I will.” He’s feet from me, reaching over to push hair from my face and tucking it behind my ear. “You’re unmistakably beautiful, even after just waking up. Care to join me in the shower?”

My cheeks flame. “You don’t need to be nice to me. Last night was a one-off thing, and I’ll never forget how incredible it was.” On cue, that sweet ache between my thighs returns, teasing me into leaning in closer to him. He draws something irresistible out of me, and I hate to admit how much more I’d like, but I also need to be realistic that whatever is going on here won’t last.

His hand lowers to my cheek, and I press against his warmth because I’m terrible. “Dawn, that’s not⁠—”

“I’m still your captive, and I don’t want to pretend it’s anything else. I also know I have nowhere to run for now without endangering myself, so I don’t want to lie to myself.”

Those piercing blue eyes never leave me. “We’re going to change that.”

“Oh, so if I say I don’t want to return to Grimvale, you’ll let me remain here?”

He blinks, doesn’t say a word. “I really think it’s for your benefit.”

“I don’t agree,” I answer and step back. “I’m fine with our flirting and fun, but let’s not act as if it’s anything else.” The words sting, but I also can’t start losing my mind around these monsters, which I have been doing lately.