Page 129

I pause as Lux’s collar clatters against the floor.

“What is it?” Castor asks.

“Nothing,” I mutter. “Just a silly thought.” Is it, though? If it is, then why do I so desperately want to go back to their manor?

“Tell us please,” Lux says softly while I work on Castor’s collar. “You know, you do not have to come back home with us.”

“What?” both Castor and I blurt in unison.

“I love you, Eden, but I know I haven’t been the Prince Charming that you dreamed of,” Lux says seriously. “I was so determined to make your father hurt, that I didn’t realise I was hurting the one woman worth being a better prince for.”

When I don’t know what to say, he gathers my face in his hands. “I’m so sorry for everything I put you through, and if you do decide to come home with us, I promise I’ll give you the happily ever after you deserve.”

“We both will,” Castor adds.

Lux glances at him. There’s still tension in his gaze, but it’s less than before. It makes my heart soar.

“You’d really let me stay here with my sisters?” I ask, uncertain.

Lux sucks in a breath. “With the bond between us, it would be difficult, but we can find a way around it. There are also ways to…” he frowns, “remove it, if you decide that you don’t⁠—”

I’ve heard enough. “I want to go home with you.”

“You do?” Castor gasps as Lux cries, “Thank fuck.”

“Yes,” I giggle. “I love my sisters, but I think I’ve seen enough of my family for at least the rest of the year.” Turning back to Castor, I finish unlocking his collar. “And besides, our manor isn’t far.”

“Our manor,” Lux echoes smugly as Castor’s collar falls to the floor. “I like the sound of that.”

“The two of you must become friends again though,” I add. “I don’t like it when you fight.”

Lux exhales. “I suppose we could come to some kind of arrangement.”

“How about she switches rooms every week? One week in your bed, then one week in mine?” Castor laughs at how Lux tenses.

“We’ll talk about it later,” he grumbles while I giggle. I suspect they’ll need a lot of whisky for this conversation, but I don’t mind. As long as it happens at home while I’m curled up beside them.

Beside both of my princes.

47

CASTOR

One month later…

“Good morning, beautiful.” Eden melts like butter into my kiss. I press her against the wall, running my hands over her silk nightgown. “Is Lux awake yet? Did he see you leaving his bed?”

“No,” she giggles sneakily. “He’s still fast asleep and even last night he didn’t suspect a thing. He has no idea we’re here.”

“Perfect.” I grin at her. It’s pitch black in our living room, not even the servants are awake to light the candles yet.

The perfect time for something like this.

“Take this nightgown off, my darling, and spread those pretty thighs for me. I’m going to try my hardest not to fuck you while I wrap you with all this ribbon, but I can’t make any promises. You’re my gift too, you know?”

“Wouldn’t change it for the realm.” She presses her lips against mine before I growl and deepen the kiss.

Damn it, if it weren’t Winterfeast morning I’d forget about all my plans and spend the entire day fucking her under the tree. But alas, my brother exists, and we have to try our best to share.