sa

ticed efficiency. Something fancy with sauce drizzled artistically a

ecause I was starving, not be

ched me the

ting into his meal. "How do

Wasteful. The ro

ed on her

he was tasting the word. "Most wo

t most

dark and pleased flickered in h

rling, I was hoping we could discuss the charity

now,

I saw her grip tighten on her

" Thalia offered, trying to ease the tension.

can speak for

pression faltering slightly

my tone slightly. Not much, but en

limits," Killian said

d at hi

se I s

not a

only reaso

uld feel everyone else holding their breath, watch

y. "I wouldn't want t

tly, dangerously. "There's a differ

the same from w

t might have been a laugh q

cisely. "Tell me something. Do you have

be b

ly, and everyone at the table w

but I kept my expression neutral

, Ca

looked triumphant. Nessa looked worried. Vera looked dead i

udy I hadn't seen before. Dark wood, leather chairs, a massive desk

turned

ing?" His voice was low, controlled,

nner. You

ay games

you saw me." I crossed my arms. "Or was threatening

ched. "That

was

p. "You think I don't know what you're doing? Pushing boundari

going t

ut you

s eyes. Close enough that I could see the gold flecks in his dark

u can have your little rebellions. Wear what you want. Say what you want. Give

ct is

omeone holds your sister

er was lik

ke they had in my living room a lifetime ago. "There she

his touch. "I'm n

shoul

already locked up, Killian. I signed your

rtled both of us. "I want everything, Cassia. Your obed

ire and my obedience

ertain. Almost human. "You're not like them. The others. They broke too easily or fought too stupidly

s the

ght now. Give your father h

topped. "T

knew he

d finally. "Try not to star

prom

y hand on the doorknob w

ssi

oked

. Stay away from them." Something

d sounded forei

hy

e I'm a

gotten so far. I nodded once and left, my mi

ere important

bsolutely had t

room, all five wives stopped t

examining her nai

asked, sliding b

rigu

bsence. Something chocolate and

his study before," Mira said qu

ood or bad

a said, leaning forward with interest. "D

f the

one turned to look at her. "Oh, you're going to be fun to watch.

d immediately. "I say three mon

a offered. "And s

tly. "I think she's stronger than

't matter. Because at the end of the day, we're all the same her

le fell

"You know what the difference

te

survive here. I'

shed. "Win w

ryth

chair. "Thank you for din

nd, before Killian could return, befor

o hard I thought it mig

door and leaned against it,

ell had I

Challenged a man who could destroy me and my sister with

rilliant or co

be

gardens below. The moon was rising, castin

n the trees like a ghost

ith purpose toward so

e? Staff?

ething

st the glass and made a

ld fi

ut why the garde

very secret thi

them all to ge

For me an

er what