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“I see.” I pause for a while, the rolling wheels of the carriage filling the silence. “How old were you both when she passed?”

Lux’s smile drops. “Seven. I still remember the morning I found her body.”

“You found her?” I breathe. So young…

“I went in with the servants to bring her breakfast. We used to eat together. Most mornings. The servants saw the blood as soon as they entered, but I was so little, I didn’t see it until I climbed onto her bed.”

My fingers cover my gasp.

“He was still there when Father and I heard the news and came for her,” Castor adds, my heart sinking. “When I realised what happened, I tried to pull Lux off her, but he wouldn’t let go⁠—”

“I do not wish to speak of this anymore.” Lux stares out of the window.

“I’m so sorry.” I brush his arm. To be that young and to find your mother like that? It must’ve been awful for him. The pain it must’ve caused…

“This isn’t your fault.” He keeps his gaze fixed on the trees outside. “This is your father’s doing, and he’s paying for it now.”

“Because you have me?” I ask breathlessly.

He’s quiet for a moment. “Yes.” Taking my hand, he brushes his thumb over my wrist before kissing it softly. “Because I have you now.” Sadness touches his face, but it’s gone as quickly as it came, replaced by a wicked grin. “And no one can take you away from me.”

Before I can protest, I’m pulled into his lap. I squeak as his hands curl around my rear and slide me closer to him.

“Are you warm enough yet?” He squeezes me. “Or do you need help warming up, sweetheart?”

My body melts under his touch, but my mind doesn’t. “Stop.”

Lux ignores me, nipping at my neck with his teeth.

My head tilts back as I moan, “Lux, stop.”

Behind me, Castor clears his throat. “That’s not your safeword, princess…” I feel his fingers playing with my hair.

“I…” What was it again? My mind feels empty as Lux’s hand pushes up my skirt, his thumb brushing my thigh. Another moan threatens to escape me, but before it can, I yelp, “Twelve!”

Lux freezes, dropping his head against my shoulder. All too soon, he lifts me off his lap and places me gently beside him. When his hands leave my skin, I hate how badly I miss them.

“You should rest,” he sighs, reaching for a blanket and placing it over me.

The carriage seats are comfortable enough. I probably could sleep if it weren’t for the pulsing between my thighs. My once-comfortable gown now feels far too hot.

If I dealt with the throbbing in my core, I wonder if the princes would notice?

Curling up against the plush wall, I force the silly idea away. Of course they’d notice. But Lux is staring out of the window, and Castor has just pulled a book from his pocket.

Need burns inside me as I clench my thighs. Need I should just ignore.

But I can’t.

And I’m also not sure if I want to.

Rolling over, I push my skirt up slowly beneath the blanket.

39

LUX

“I’m so sorry, Your Highness, but because of the storm we only have one room available.”