Page 42 of The Heir's Bargain

"You're serious about this then?" Terin asked.

I bit my cheek as I met my brother's gaze and lied. "Yes."

In truth, it wasn't a complete lie. I cared about Dani, so I was serious about doing whatever I could to make this arrangement work.

"Then you better not fuck it up," Terin said and shoved back against the dirt.

"Come on, Ter," I said, a smirk rising to the surface. "Let's be honest, I'm pretty good at fucking things."

"By the gods, Fynn! She's practically family." Terin groaned, rubbing the palms of his hands over his head, his lip curling in disgust.

"Hey, I never said anything about her and I, but if you're curious?—"

"Stop," Terin said, shaking his head and standing, kicking dirt into my hair. "You can never take anything seriously, can you?"

I shrugged, and Terin shook his head.

"If you do—if you have," Terin gagged as he spoke, "I don't want to know any details."

Even though Dani and I would never cross that boundary, I forced a coy smirk onto my face because that's what my brother expected of me. How many mornings had I spent relaying details of my escapades with women to him? How many nights had I come home after climbing out of manors and houses after spending it with someone I probably shouldn't have? If I acted as if Dani and I sleeping together wasn't a possibility, he would know something was wrong.

Terin shifted on his feet, his gaze fixed on the ground. After a moment, he peered at me and asked so quietly I almost didn't hear him, "Have you?"

I scratched the back of my head as I looked toward the castle. "We're. . .taking things slow."

Terin snorted. "You? Taking things slow? I didn't know that was even a possibility for you."

I laughed, but it was short-lived because as his words hit me, I finally understood the consequence of this deal.

I would have to be celibate for the next several months.

I stared down at my hand.

Shit.

Chapter 11

DANI

"As some of you might have heard, I will be retiring in a little over four months."

Gasps echoed across the lines of soldiers. While I had known this was coming, hearing the words from the general increased the weight pressing down on my shoulders. As excited as I was about the opening Walen's retirement created, it also sent a prickle spiraling down my spine. I couldn't help but think about how we were now losing two of our top generals to retirement within the same year.

Change was often good, but sometimes, it meant something was coming—something the older gentlemen did not wish to be a part of or risk their lives for.

I tilted my chin up.

Whatever it was, I would be prepared.

Walen continued, "I won't get into the sappy nonsense today, but know I will be leaving with a heavy heart." He cleared his throat, then saluted. "That is all for today. You're released."

The soldiers all fell out of formation, relaxing their stances and walking out of their lines. Whispers immediately passed between soldiers as they discussed the general's announcement.

Someone tugged my arm. When I spun around, I found Sylvia staring at me with a raised brow.

"Tell me the rumors are just rumors."

"What do you mean?" I asked. "The general admitted?—"

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