Page 81 of Castle of Nevers and Nightmares

He notices. “Don’t get shy on me now, love.”

“Have some respect for your House,” I shoot back. “This is an important appearance.”

His gaze narrows. Silence at the table makes me realize I’ve just tried to protect their reputation.

“What happened that morning?” Legion asks, eyes darting between us. “Besides the exchange of tempers and... attires.”

“Tell them,” Fox dares me. “Tell them how you plunged your knife into my heart.”

Chapter

Twenty-Nine

WILLOW

Hurt flashes in Fox’s eyes, but then the rogue is back.

“Really?” My brow arches.“I’m expected to explain why I stabbed you when they remember nothing of who you really are?”

“Try it.”He leans forward expectantly.“Taste my suffering for the past five years.”

Gritting my teeth, I face Bodin and Legion and declare, “I’m going to kill you all for ruining my life.”

They blink, astounded. For a moment, my hope soars, which is stupid. Even if they recall what they did, I still can’t kill them. I don’t know how.

Legion calmly answers, “Assassinating us for taking you in is a tad overdramatic.”

Bodin folds his arms, grumbling, “And unladylike.”

I flip up my middle finger at them. Bodin throws his head back and laughs, drawing the attention of everyone downstairs. And me.

I can’t take my eyes off the thick column of his throat. What is it about a male when he puts his neck on display like that? What exactly about it causes heat to bloom in my lower abdomen? The strength? The distended veins? The Adam’s apple? I have tolook away. But staring at Legion is no better. He hides his smirk behind another sip of wine.

They took my promise of death and fit it into Titania’s narrative.

Fox sits back in his chair, cruel satisfaction twisting his pretty lips, then stares at Legion. Their prolonged silence makes me think they’re conversing mind-to-mind.

“I’m hungry,” I protest. And considerably outgunned.

Legion’s gaze swings to me. He gestures for the waiter, who arrives promptly with steaming food I don’t remember ordering. The plate is full of meat and delicious smells my wolfish side craves. The instant I dig into the food, Fox’s antagonistic mood dampens.

The three talk quietly amongst themselves in a short, direct exchange. Legion mentions my drama with the House of Embers leader. Bodin mentions my near-death experience—or rather, Dahlia’s experience—and Fox stares at me when they mention I’ve worn his clothing daily instead of the Nexus uniform.

Their conversation turns to the trouble brewing in the regions, and my ears prick up.

With all the dragon-bonded Radiants here for the Gentle Interlude, hidden Nightmares are coming out of the woodwork to wreak havoc around the Commonwealth. Apparently, it’s standard behavior for this period and likely another reason why the House of Shadow has never participated in the Solstice exhibition. They’re far too busy protecting the realm to play war games.

Legion again asks Fox to explain the trail of bodies with dark hair.

He replies offhandedly, “I didn’t appreciate how the mortals looked at me.”

Instead of another reprimand, Legion intones, “Keepers watch us from downstairs.”

Where Legion and Bodin seem unruffled, Fox stills. He stares at a space above his glass for a beat, then turns around to look. Downstairs, two robed druids sit by the city-side window. Their hoods are up, concealing their faces, but I catch a hint of wooden mask. No plates or glasses are set before them. It’s obvious they’re not here for the revelry.

Fox explains to Legion, “I was... fractious. My hunt was purely for sport, no harvesting. They can’t tie it to us.”

“Regardless,” Legion replies. “Such recklessness is courting the Cabinet. One of us there is enough.”

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