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“I need to start by saying that everything I said regarding the way I feel about you was true. I love you, Eden.” Her eyes widen at me. “I have loved you since the moment we met.”

Probably even earlier than that. When I first saw her portrait, her huge blue eyes were all I could think about for days.

“You can’t just say that,” she stammers.

“I can, because I mean it.” I kiss her hand. There’s no lie there. “I love you, and because of that, this past week has been very difficult for me.” That’s a partial lie. Having her here hasn’t been difficult at all. Forcing my brother on her though…

Clearing my throat, I explain. “Castor is not usually so cruel to women. He’s a good man and would never touch a lady without their permission.”

“Unless they ask me nicely enough.” He winks at Eden, who looks close to fainting.

Castor didn’t approve of my plan initially. That’s why he was so vicious to Eden at Blossom’s birthday ball. It was like he was trying to warn her.

Thankfully, I was able to rescue her before he pushed her too far, and it ended up working in my favour.

If Eden hadn’t fallen in love with me, Castor’s punishment would’ve been far harsher than being forced to close his society for a week.

“Before you arrived, Eden, I requested something of my brother,” I go on. “I asked him to tease you while you were here.”

“You asked him to tease me?”

“Yes, little butterfly.” I squeeze her hand. “But I had my reasons, I promise. You must trust me on this.”

“What reasons?” she cries.

I wish I could tell her not to worry herself over this. But I know my mate. Her anxiety would kill her.

So I give her some of the truth. “I needed you to love me.”

“What?” she panics.

“Good luck explaining your way out of this,” Castor chuckles under his breath, but I ignore him.

“Listen to me, sweetheart.” I swipe a tear from her cheek. “I’ve been yours since the moment I saw your portrait, and all I asked Castor to do was to help me make sure you became mine as much as I am yours.”

“By forcing himself upon me?” she squeaks as Castor scoffs.

“I needed you to see me as your protector, because that’s what I am, what I always will be,” I explain. “After he grabbed you on your first morning here, you were supposed to come to me for help.” I try to hide how much it hurts me that she didn’t.

“So you manipulated me?” she rasps.

“I just wanted to show you how much you need me.”

“And you,” she turns to Castor, “you just went along with this?”

I meet his gaze with darkened eyes.

“Lux is the smartest person I know.” He shrugs. “When he gives you an order, life will be far easier for you if you follow it.”

Good answer.

“But why would you do this?” Eden turns back to me. “I liked you anyway. You didn’t need to make your brother do any of that to me!”

“I could ask you why you didn’t just tell me what he did.” I tilt my head. “Why did you say it was only your cycle that was upsetting you back in Maple’s shop? Why were you protecting him?”

Back then, I wasn’t sure if Castor had touched her yet or not. I was certain that if he had, then she’d tell me when we were alone in the shop.

She knew Castor was back at the manor. He couldn’t have hurt her there.