Page 137 of A Sin So Pure

“I have some business to tend to today, but I hope that we can catch up during the ball tomorrow, Silas.”

His voice has a deep and luring timbre, the male counterpart to Queen Oonagh’s siren lilt. It’s the kind of voice that sucks you in, only to drown you.

“And I hope you will spare me a moment, Pride. Your reputation precedes you,” Patience says.

“I can’t promise I’ll live up to your expectations,” Nora says.

“Not many do,” he says. His attention then turns to me, piercing green eyes spearing my gut. My jaw tightens under his scrutiny. A slow smile spreads across his face, revealing teeth far too straight and far too white. “And Lust, youarethe spitting image of your mother.”

My cheeks ache from holding my own smile in place. “That I’ve been told.”

The five of us lapse into silence; the air grows thick as the elder Seelie studies us.

“Tomorrow then,” Patience says with a quick nod. He claps Benevolence on the back. “Stay out of trouble, son.”

Patience strides from the room with as much self-importance as the Seelie Queen, and when the double doors close behind him, the room breathes a sigh of relief.

“My father is a bit intense,” Benevolence says. His nose scrunches with boyish charm as he palms the back of his neck. “I don’t plan on doing an ounce of work until the Solstice is over. I’d love to continue our conversation from last night if you’re open, Pride. You can introduce me to your Second, who I’ve also heard lots about.”

“I hope she is less of a cautionary tale than I am in the rumor mills?” Nora asks.

“I’d say she’s just as scary to the Seelie younglings.” He wriggles his fingers beside his head. “Mind control and all.”

Nora mutters something about mind control not being possible, meanwhile I quirk a brow at her. I’m sure that she can read my silentwhat the fuck?

She shakes her head. “Later,” she whispers.

Silas clears his throat, leveling Nora and me with a sharp glare.

“While I’d love to continue this littlehangout, Wrath and I have business to tend to before the revelry tonight. Until then, explore, mingle, fuck—so long as it’s not him,” Silas says, pausing to jab a thumb at Benevolence. “I don’t really care. Only that you make smart choices.”

Then he’s off, striding through the double doors to our side of the castle.

“He always like that?” Benevolence says.

“Overbearing and rude?” I murmur.

“He’s got a lot of opinions and isn’t afraid to share them,” Nora says, a more politically correct answer.

“Right,” Benevolence drawls. “I’m going to grab a drink and some food, but after, we can play cards in the courtyard?” The sentence trails off, the traces of hope palpable in his tone.

Nora shrugs. “Why not?”

“Great.”

As Benevolence walks away, Nora places a firm hand on my waist. She leads me back to Leo and Josie, who wait patiently at a high table with a mountain of food in front of them.

“How do you already know one of them?” I whisper.

“My explorations last night led me to our new friend.”

“And you want to hang out with Patience’s son because…?”

“He intrigues me.”

“Nora,” I huff.

“I need to know if he is as guilty as Patience is.” Her hand tightens on my waist, fingers digging into my flesh. “If he is, then he’s going to be joining his father in an early grave.”

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