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I try to push him away, but there’s little point. “He hasn’t. But I wouldn’t want him to anymore.”

“Really?” he chuckles. “So you wouldn’t mind if I told you that I saw him, after you left, dancing with another woman.”

“What? Who?” I growl.

“You really are just as obsessed as him.” He laughs wickedly. “I cannot wait until he lets me share you.”

I want to tell him that that’s ridiculous, but then he nuzzles into my neck and I sigh with pleasure.

“You’re fucking adorable, princess,” he murmurs. “Our princess.” My hands tangle in his soft hair. “I like the sound of that.”

“Stop!” I come to my senses as thankfully he draws back. The second Lux proposes, I’ll ask him to make Castor leave.

No. Lux won’t be proposing. And if he does, I’ll say no.

Groaning, I dig my palms into my eyes.

“You need more bliss, I think,” Castor teases. “You can let me bring you another goblet or I’m taking you back to Lux so he can convince you to forgive him. Those are your options.”

“I don’t want either. I want to go home.” The ache at my core has settled a little. I’ll still need a moment to deal with it in my bedchamber before I go, but it’s tolerable enough to walk now.

“That’s not an option, sweetheart.” He pries me from the wall.

“Castor, no! Get off me.” I thrash my arms at him.

With another sigh, he leans forward and throws me over his shoulder, just like he did on my first night here.

“Stop!” I scream, but the prince ignores me, carrying me out of the room like I weigh nothing at all.

13

EDEN

Castor places me onto something soft before I hear his heavy footsteps receding and a door clicking shut. The room I’m in is pitch black. The only light I can see is the thin golden band under the door Castor just left through.

As I struggle to sit up, the scent of cinnamon wafts past me. That, and an earthy, rain-like scent that makes my stomach burst with butterflies even after the way he spoke to me on the balcony.

Soft, silky sheets slide against my fingers. Bed sheets. When my cheek brushes a pillow, his sweet yet addicting scent overwhelms me.

This is Lux’s bed... I’m in his bedchamber.

I startle as someone strikes a match only a few feet away.

“Oh! Forgive me, miss,” a woman squeaks. Her servant’s gown is now lit up by the flickering candle on Lux’s nightstand. I look past her to see another few servants striking matches around the room. Slowly, the bedchamber that once only existed in my daydreams is brought to life right in front of me.

The tall bookshelves he spoke about in his letters are full of old fairy tales just like he said. Painted waves decorate the wall, crashing behind his four poster bed. White gauze swoops over the frame, creating the airy canopy he told me he’d one day kiss me under. Soft, seafoam-coloured rugs have been spread over the floor while a familiar white cat lounges lazily in the corner of the room on a pink cat bed.

“Maxine!” I smile at her.

Chirping, she rises from the bed and slinks towards me, making sure to stop for a long stretch before she jumps into my lap.

Kissing her head, I take in the rest of the room. Somehow, it looks just like I imagined it and yet completely different at the same time.

Perhaps it’s just the discomfort churning inside me. As pretty as this room is, I shouldn’t be in here.

As the servants hurry out, I kiss Maxine’s head one more time before placing her gently onto the bed. She meows in protest when I leave her.

“Sorry, girl.” I wince, tickling her under her chin. “I wish I could cuddle you more, but I have to go before⁠—”