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Taking a sip, I’m about to reply when I stop myself.

I didn’t do anything wrong tonight. Castor was the one who forced himself upon me. And if I was as drunk as my head feels like I was, then there’s no way I could’ve stopped him.

I’ll tell Lux about this later. When I no longer feel so awful.

He’ll understand. And if he doesn’t, then he shouldn’t be allowed to marry me anyway.

“It’s nothing.” I shake my head as Lux hands me a cheese biscuit. “Thank you for the food.”

“You’re welcome.” Lux smiles, pulling me closer to him.

An hour passes, or maybe two… It’s so hard to say when every time Lux laughs I feel like my heart could burst into a thousand butterflies.

“And then she performed in front of Father wearing a tutu with a giant rip in the back.” I giggle. “Camellia hasn’t lived it down since. Every time she leaves her bedchamber, she has to check herself in the mirror to make sure her gown is still in one piece.”

“Your sisters sound like menaces.” Lux grins. “Especially Dahlia.”

“Dahlia is hard work sometimes.” I shake my head. “But I still love her, and I miss her so much now she’s with Lord Tauren. They’re on their honeymoon at the moment, sailing to Ilzabard.”

Lux’s eyes glint in the starlight. “That’s very far away.”

“Too far.” I hug my knees. “But she said as soon as she’s back she’ll host a party at her castle.” I smile at the thought.

Dahlia’s husband dotes on her more than the men from my favourite romance books. He’ll make sure her party is the best event of the year, not just for his wife but for all of her sisters.

“Perhaps you can come with me to the party.” I glance at Lux. “She was desperate to meet you.”

“I’d like that.” He smiles handsomely. “And I look forward to meeting her.”

A question pops into my mind, something I’ve wanted to ask for a while but never found the courage to. “Do you… do you think you’ll always live with Castor?” The leftover wine in me is enough to force it out.

Lux’s grin widens. “Why do you ask? Are you tired of him already?”

“No,” I start, before wincing. “Well… not tired exactly, but he’s just… a lot I suppose.”

Lux sighs. “Castor and I grew up together, so we’re very close.”

My heart sinks. Of course they are. If I shared a manor with my sisters, could I ever choose a prince over them?

“But…” He glances at me. “If I felt that he would be better suited living elsewhere, then I wouldn’t be opposed to showing him the door.” My eyes widen. “If my wife agreed, of course.” He winks.

“I see.” I try not to show how much those last words affect me. Clearing my throat, I take a sip of wine.

Lux laughs quietly. “Did I ever tell you that Castor and I share the same birthday?”

I shake my head.

“Midspring the 13th. It was the middle of the day,” he explains. “Mother birthed me in her bedchamber while Castor’s mother had been put in the guest suite next door. We were born at exactly the same moment. Cried in unison, apparently. Caused quite a hassle for the healer who was trying to tend to both of us and our mothers,” he chuckles.

“How strange,” I breathe.

“Yes. I suppose our… bond started then. We were always together after that. Even though Castor’s mother despised me. She despised us both, I suppose. I’ll admit I didn’t shed a single tear when that woman died.” He takes a sip from his goblet.

“Castor’s mother is dead?”

“Yes. It happened when we were children. A bad fever.” He finishes his drink. “But let’s not talk about her. Let’s talk about you.” He looks at me, his lashes lowering as I blush. “You look beautiful tonight, Eden. So beautiful that I feel I must ask you something very, very important.”

Suddenly, it’s quite hard for me to breathe. “What is it?”