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“If I accept your bond, I want to see them this week.”

He shakes his head. “This week is too soon. It would be like the bride leaving early during her honeymoon.”

Speaking of honeymoon… “Sooner,” I say again. “And you have to marry me. Properly, and in the human way,” I add before he can argue that our faerie bond is good enough.

But Lux doesn’t seem like he wants to argue at all. “Of course I’ll marry you.” His grin lights up his entire face. “That was always my plan, little butterfly. We shall have the most beautiful wedding. With flowers, musicians, and good food, and you can invite all your sisters.”

A smile crosses my face before I push it away along with the silly wedding bells in my head. We’re not finished yet. “I want to go home this week, then I’ll come back after a few days if I must.” And if you can get me away from my sisters, I want to add, but I don’t.

I’d like to see Lux and Castor go up against my eleven sisters. Or I suppose ten, considering that Dahlia is probably still away on her honeymoon.

Still, Blossom could use her mind magic to make them walk off the nearest cliff.

When Dahlia’s home, she could set a pack of wolves on them.

And Fern could sneak up behind them and stab them in the back without them ever noticing.

My eyes widen. Where did that come from?

Lux’s hand is on my thigh before I can wonder if perhaps I’m becoming just as wicked as him. “Final offer, little butterfly,” he murmurs. “You accept the bond and I’ll marry you in the spring, and you can see your sisters for Winterfeast.”

I chew my lip in thought. Winterfeast isn’t so far away…

“Next week,” I counter.

“Winterfeast,” he says darkly, “or I’ll fuck you right here until your needy body can’t take it anymore and you accept our bond without realising.”

I shudder. He wouldn’t… But the way his hand is gripping my thigh is saying otherwise. “Fine. Winterfeast it is.”

He exhales, and any darkness on his face is replaced by a smile so charming I can’t help but blush. “I’m so glad we could come to an agreement, my love,” he chuckles, scooping me up from the ground.

Lux doesn’t put me down until we reach his bedchamber, and even then he doesn’t take his hands off me, while Castor follows us like a shadow all the way here.

I thought Lux might send him away when we reached his room, but he said nothing as his brother held the door open for us. Even as Castor took a seat in the armchair facing the bed, Lux kept his focus on me, placing me gently against his pillows.

“This is pretty.” Using one hand to untie my cloak, he keeps the other on my hip. “Is it new?”

My blush deepens as the cloak slides from my shoulders. “It’s… umm…”

“She made it for you,” Castor answers for me.

Lux stills. “What?”

“That’s why she was out in the garden. She wanted to give it to you.” He winks at me, crossing his boot over his thigh.

“You made me a cloak? Really? ” Lux’s eyes sparkle. It’s easy to forget how psychotic he can be when he smiles like that.

“I… I was just bored last night… It’s really nothing special⁠—”

“This is the most spectacular cloak I’ve ever seen.” He brings it to his face to study the embroidery. “My wife is the most talented seamstress in the entire realm.” Lowering the cloak, he crushes his lips against mine.

“I’m not your wife yet,” I breathe against him.

“You will be,” he growls. “Soon.” He reaches for my corset when another awful rush of coldness shoots through me.

Whimpering, I grip his shirt.

“Eden.” His brow dips.