Page 109 of The Duplicity of Thieves

“I've also had my own choices stolen from me.”

Bella nods slowly with understanding. “The Remnant don’t like outsiders.”

“They’re allowing you into their territory.” I look at her over my glass.

“I’ve worked for Stafford ever since I became a healer. I’ve earned that right. The Remnant would never accept you, even if they didn’t know who you are. Josie is…coveted by Stafford. You would be scrutinized. The moment anyone found out you were even a sympathizer of Hades, they would tear you apart and paint Josie as a traitor.”

“Even if she's spent years being used by them to do their dirty work? Doesn’t seem right.”

“I won’t disagree. Stafford put more on her than he should have. I often question his motivations, but that isn’t my call to make. It seems Josie has come to the same conclusion.” She studies Josie, who has her arms wrapped around Vivian’s waist. They embrace each other, the two sisters who have witnessed unspeakable horrors. “She will do a lot of good for the Remnant people here, even if they hate her for it.”

I never thought about the fact that Josie may be able to ease tensions between the crown and the Republic. As difficult as our union is going to be, she can give them a voice.

“I’ve known Josie for several years. She can make her own decisions. She will, and she won’t be quiet about it.” There’s warning in her voice. “Are you truly ready for that?”

“I have no intention of ignoring what she has to say. The kingdom will have no choice but to listen,” I agree.

Bella’s gaze lingers on me for a moment before she seems to accept the answer. “Good.”

“What about this boy who loved her?” I take a chance with the question. Might as well get it over with.

“Ah, him,” she sighs. “They say he saved her from the Lethe. Found her when she was drowning. Their relationship was complicated according to Vivian.”

“Complicated?” I try to sound like it doesn’t matter, but it does.

She tosses me a sideways glance. “The night they died was the night he told her he loved her and asked her to run away. Then everything went to shit.”

After mere moments of this boy declaring his love, Josie watched him die? That’s enough to send any sane person straight over the edge. Persephone was right. Josie has been alone all this time. As much as she probably tried, Vivian wouldn’t have been able to understand that type of mental torture. I’m unbelievably jealous of a dead man, but that’s just it. He’s dead, and she married me.

If he wasn’t dead, would I have ever met Josie again? I believe so. We've always been doomed to be together.

“When will you be leaving Asphodel?” I ask.

“In a few days. The full moon.”

The night of the gala. A plan forms in my mind. “Does Vivian have as much of an aversion to parties as her sister?"

A tricky smile spreads across Bella’s face. I’ll take that as a no.

Chapter twenty-one

Josephine

When Aedon told me about the gala I was horrified. More than horrified. I hate parties, and now that I’m technically a princess, it’s more than just a party. When he told me the theme, I practically rolled my eyes out of my head. Tartarian fucking Dynasty. The only saving grace was that he informed me Vivian would be in attendance with us. I think he knows I wouldn’t have gone otherwise.

Not only will we be at this gala, but it’s our first outing as a married pair. It feels like the other shoe is about to drop on this bubble we’ve created. For once I’m not destroying myself. I'm going to be letting everyone else do it for me.

Vivian and I spend half of the day lounging around and drinking champagne in the palace. Bella couldn’t come because of unknown obligations. Every time I ask, Vivian gets cagey. I’m just glad she’ll be there when we announce our marriage to the rest of the Underworld. I undoubtedly need her support. It’s the only reason I feel mildly sane.

“I could get used to this lifestyle,” Vivian sighs through her cucumber mask. “You’ll actually be living in this place sometime soon.”

“Not if I have anything to do with it.”

“I know this is very much not your thing but let me enjoy it, dammit.” A cucumber slides down her face revealing her glare. After taking a look at me, her face softens. “What’s bothering you? Is it all this princess stuff?”

I shake my head no.

“McFadden then?” she asks tentatively. “He was a traitor, Jo.”

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