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“No, Kasimir!” Eden cries. “If you hurt them, I’ll never forgive you.”

“I can live with that,” he huffs.

Amaryllis steps forward, gesturing for Eden to come to her. “Eden, listen to me. Those princes are monsters. Meera told me what they did to her. They might not have hurt you yet, but they will⁠—”

“They won’t,” I seethe. “Eden is our mate. We would kill to keep her safe.”

“You would kill regardless,” Meera growls. “I heard you torture others while I was locked up. I wasn’t the only victim you kept in that house, you sick fucks.”

Eden looks back at us, horror on her face. Shit.

“She’s telling the truth,” Castor tells her. “That’s why the manor was emptied for our father’s arrival. He brings prisoners for us and we interrogate them to get the information Nem needs. It’s our job, sweet princess. And I’m sorry to say I don’t hate it.”

Eden’s lower lip wobbles as I continue, “I took my first life when I was ten years old. Castor’s mother,” I speak casually. I don’t regret it. Not one bit. The day I realised that the bruises on his back weren’t from climbing trees was the same day I realised people die pretty quickly when you force gallons of water into their lungs. “I don’t hate it either.” I glance at my brother. “If that makes us monsters, then that’s what we are.”

Eden swallows, but eventually turns back to her sister. “The princes would never hurt me. But if they do, you can be the first one to punish them for it.”

My gaze meets Castor’s. If either of us hurt Eden, we’d kill each other long before Amaryllis gets the chance to ‘punish’ us for it. And I know he feels the same.

“Eden, come here,” Kasimir orders.

“No. I won’t let you hurt them.”

“Eden, please!” Amaryllis yells. “They’re monsters!”

Bored of this, I step forward to take Eden’s hand. “Her monsters. Now get behind us, sweetheart, so we can give these idiots the fight they’re so desperate for.”

“No!” She twists against my grip, but I hold her firm. “Let go of me, Lux!”

“Just do as I ask for once, damn it! I told you to get behind—” Pain slams into my shoulder, forcing all the air from my lungs.

46

EDEN

“Let go of my sister!” Fern yells as I scream. I didn’t even know she was here. And yet here she is, a dagger clutched in her palm as she drives the blade into Lux’s shoulder.

Chaos falls over us. Castor yanks Fern back, the dagger coming out with her, while Kasimir dives towards him. Someone, maybe Amaryllis, tries to drag me away, but I’m stuck to Lux’s side, tumbling with him to the ground.

“No, no, no.” My palms shake over his wound.

“Fuck.” He sucks in a breath. “It’s alright, Eden. Don’t cry.” When he tries to cup my cheek, he just hisses in pain.

“Don’t try to move,” I tell him, panting. “I’ll send for a healer.”

“No. Don’t go. I can’t lose you.” His voice is heartbreakingly weak.

“Shh.” I clutch his hand for both our sakes. “Fern, you have to call for a healer.” A sob lodges in my throat. I can’t even look at my sister.

“Eden, I’m so sorry. Meera told us what they did to her, then I saw Lux grab you and I just panicked!”

“Go and get a healer,” I manage through tears. “If the father of my child dies today, I will never forgive you.”

She gasps. “Eden, are you preg⁠—”

“GO AND GET A HEALER!”

Thankfully she picks herself up and hurries down the stairs. I was serious about what I said. If Lux dies here…