Page 70 of Wicked Court

Axe nods, solemn. “Exactly. And it’s not just us at stake here. The Sovereigns, they have ways of making their displeasure known, reaching out far beyond just the one who disappoints them.”

“Not simply that,” Kaspian smoothly interjects, Cav glowering at him nearby. “They dangle this Heart in front of us as forgiveness. For the wrongs our families have caused in previous generations. We’re legacies, all four of us, automatically given titles within the Court. We still undergo initiation, and if we endure it without complaint, we’re guaranteed membership. These current Sovereigns, while they accepted our membership, they have very broken bones to pick with us. If we give them the Heart, those past sins will be forgiven.”

I shake my head, absorbing the information. “And you believe them? What do they want with the necklace?”

Cav shifts in his chair, his hands clenched into fists on the table.

“I think that’s enough for tonight,” he says.

He stands, looking toward me with no emotion, before he abruptly turns to exit the room without another glance back.

Kaspian simply smiles, pushing back his chair. The light of the chandelier above us glints off the frost in his eyes.

“Enjoy your meal,” he says with a coiled smile before disappearing into the hallway, too.

Axe raises his clouded gray eyes to mine. “Eat your soup, Elara. You’ll need your strength. Once you’re done, I’ll get you home.”

Before I can muster a response, Wilder stands abruptly from his chair. The sudden motion startles me, breaking my train of thought. His long fingers clasp the backrest of my chair.

“Good night, all. It’s been real.”

In the silence that ensues after Wilder’s departure, I’m left alone with Axe. He doesn’t speak. His gaze fixes on a point beyond my shoulder, lost in thought. Instead, Kaspian’s mockery and Cav’s venomous words clang around the inside of my skull, relentless.

As I spoon the last of my soup, Kaspian’s earlier words force themselves forward: We all have our chains.

Only then do I realize that despite their machismo and intimidation tactics, we’re not as different as it seems. They’re prisoners of their own circumstances just as much as I am.

Somehow knowing that makes me feel less alone.

I take a single sip of tepid tea, the honeyed sweetness a stark contrast to my experience with these men.

I am not in control here.

But maybe, just maybe, neither are they.

Chapter 22

Axe

The scent of sex clings to Elara as I lead her through the halls of Thornhaven, her slender form shrouded in a cloak, hood drawn over her face like a veil of privacy.

When we’d arrived with her, there was no one here. Since then, the manor has gotten more active, and we’ve made her appear like any other girl we bring to our private wing, invited in and escorted out completely obscured, including their eyes.

At the bottom of the immense staircase, the initiates on the first floor enjoy the privileges of the mansion, cloaks and masks tossed aside as they play billiards, take advantage of the unlimited bar, and splay out on the luxury sofas while musing over their choices of kneeling, blindfolded women lined up near the hearth.

The women made a willing choice to be here for Selection and signed non-disclosure agreements. Every one of them submits to the process of a mystery fuck with pleasure.

I notice Elara’s roommate, Sasha, in the middle, her lips lifted in a glossy, trembling smile.

Sneaking a glance at Elara who is obliviously facing forward, I wonder if she has any idea what her friend gets up to.

The ladies the four of us choose never go in a line-up, and we’ve never perused one. Our selections are deliberate, well researched and reserved only for those willing to do one night with no questions, period.

Which is why tonight’s activities with Elara were so unexpected. From any of us. Kaspian, Wilder, Cav and I aren’t known to share … until now.

“Where are we? Who do all these voices belong to?”

Elara’s voice is muffled, but the curiosity lacing her words is clear as the moon struggling to pierce the canopy above once we exit through the massive double doors.

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