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But when I saw Eden’s portrait, I wasn’t thinking about revenge.
Nor was I thinking about her father when I met her at the ball, or when I finally made her mine officially.
I clear my throat, already hating the words I am about to say. “I will tell him that I have stolen you from him. That you are pregnant, and that I intend to keep you as my personal plaything. That I have tortured you and I don’t intend to stop.” I adjust uncomfortably in my seat. “Then, I will have you kneel by me, and I will treat you poorly in front of him. Of course, once we all return home you will be rewarded considerably for your part in the deception. I love you, Eden, and I need you to remember that, despite what I say to your father tomorrow.” I meet her wide-eyed stare. “We are on the same side, my love.”
“So you wish for me to lie to my father?” she mutters. “What about my sisters?”
I roll my shoulders. “I would prefer it if you could tell them that I have been cruel to you. You do not have to go into detail.”
“I suppose I don’t really have to lie to them anyway.” She frowns. “The truth is bad enough already.”
I wince. “Eden—”
Two keys jangle between us, cutting me off. “Our room awaits.” Castor grins before pocketing them. “Your friend decided to sleep in the servants’ dorm,” he says to Eden. “Although before leaving she made sure I understood that if she came to regret that decision, I would one day wake up cuffed in iron and surrounded by an entire assassins’ guild,” he chuckles. “Delightful woman.”
Eden’s lips twitch.
40
LUX
The room is just as cosy as the lobby, with floral wallpaper, soft rugs on the floor, and one large bed covered with quilts. One.
“I see you couldn’t charm your way to a twin room.” I frown at Castor. If we had to share a room, I hoped it would at least involve Castor sleeping in his own bed across the room while Eden and I shared ours together. This, on the other hand…
I scoff when Castor throws himself onto the bed, settling against the pillows. “It’s perfectly comfortable.” He crosses his ankles. “And it’ll be warm too once we’re all in it.”
I don’t miss Eden’s little flinch before she disappears into the bathroom.
“You’ve frightened her off now.” Kicking off my boots, I hang my cloak over the back of an armchair.
“Perhaps she ought to be frightened.” His dark eyes glint. “Because I know a little game that we can play. Something to pass the time until dinner.”
“Dare I ask if this ‘game’ is something from your club?” I drop into the chair, leaning back with a sigh.
“It may have been inspired by activities I have witnessed at my club.”
“Of course,” I groan, staring up at the wooden beams on the ceiling. I’ll hear him out because I’m curious. Nothing else. “Go on,” I say when Eden emerges from the bathroom.
“It’s like trivia,” Castor explains while Eden glances nervously between us. “The player who starts will ask a question about themselves to the group. Whoever gets the answer first wins, and they get to ask the questioner something personal or dare them to do something.”
“Are we playing a game?” Eden asks.
“No, Castor is telling us about a game.” I curl my fingers to encourage her to my side. When she obeys, I pull her into my lap before she can change her mind. “Nobody has to play anything they’re not comfortable with.” I kiss her ear.
“Maybe I want to play.” She won’t meet my gaze as Castor chuckles.
“You do?” I ask.
“I’ll play your game.” She lifts her chin. “And I’ll lie in front of Father tomorrow. I’ll put on a big show and make it out like I hate you both, just like you wanted,” my brow shoots up, “if you let me stay with my sisters until I decide it’s time to go.”
“And what if you never want to come home with us?” Castor asks before I can.
Her lips thin. Nice try, little minx. “Well, you’ll just have to trust me.”
“Until you decide or Winterfeast, whichever comes first,” I counter.
Her gaze narrows.
