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“Calm yourself,” his stepfather replies. “I merely came to check if the poor dear was alright.”

I want to argue, but there’s no point. I can’t speak through the pain anyway.

“Come here, little butterfly.” My body melts as I’m pulled against him. “You should’ve told me you were in pain.” His words are strained. “I never would’ve left you alone last night if you did.” A warm hand cups my cheek, stroking my face. “Breathe for me, sweetheart. I’m here. I’m not going anywhere. Breathe.”

I can’t help but do what he says. As I exhale, the pain softens, trickling down my body like water.

“Breathe, Eden. You’re safe. I’ve got you.” His other hand strokes my arm while I take deep breaths with him.

When my eyes finally open, I’m surprised to see that their father has gone, and in his place is Castor, crouching beside me with a murderous glare.

A glare aimed straight at me.

“What?” I rasp. “What did I do?”

“Accept the bond,” he says gruffly. “Stop torturing yourself.”

“I can’t. This isn’t right.” I attempt to wriggle out of Lux’s hold, but cold seeps into my bones the second he’s no longer touching me. I make it barely a foot before I fall back against him, gasping.

The pain softens as he embraces me again. “Castor is right,” Lux says. “Accept the bond and you’ll never have to feel this way again. You’ll never have to feel any pain. Ever. I’ll protect you, my love.”

“Stop it.” I ignore my fluttering heart.

“Just accept it already,” Castor growls. “You’ll have to eventually. The pain will only get worse until it’s unbearable.”

“No!”

“You felt cold until I touched you, right?” Lux asks as I reluctantly nod. “That’s how it starts. Pretty soon, even with me touching you, you’ll feel cold.”

“When will it end?” I whimper.

“When you accept it,” both princes speak in unison.

I take a steadying breath. “I meant how long do I have to live with this until the bond breaks on its own?”

“Don’t even think about that,” Castor scoffs. “This has gone far enough, Eden. If you do not accept it now, we will make you.”

“Stop it. She’s in pain.” Lux’s voice is as lethal as his brother’s, and I can’t help but be reminded of how he spoke to Phillion all those weeks ago. How he drowned him before Castor burned him alive.

The memory is enough to make my belly twist.

I’m trapped in the arms of one killer while the other takes my hand and presses a kiss to my fingers. “Eden, listen to me.” There’s still anger in Castor’s tone, but it’s softer now. “You won’t be able to take it when the pain gets worse. Believe me, I’ve seen men who wouldn’t flinch during the worst kind of torture reduced to tears because of a bond rejection. Don’t put yourself through that.”

“I can’t accept it,” I sob. “I’ll never forgive myself.”

“Why not?” Lux turns my head towards him, swiping away my tears. “What could possibly be so bad about falling in love with me?”

My shoulders sag. “It’s not that simple.”

Lux sighs against my forehead. “How about this… accept the bond and I will make sure you’re able to visit home in the spring.”

I don’t miss the way Castor tenses, but my heart is racing too much to care.

This is negotiation. And with eleven sisters, I’ve had all the practice I’ll ever need.

“Sooner,” I say.

Lux’s eyes narrow.