Page 30 of A Sin So Pure

Josie’s going to kill me.

“I’ve never been anything but honest about my intentions for my House or the Court when you’ve asked, Your Majesty,” I say, letting the words run slow and sweet like honey off my tongue.

And it is the truth.

One thing that was abundantly clear from my time shadowing Pride during his tenure with the Court is that you don’t lie to the king.

Half-truths and omissions are fair game, sure. But I’ve heard the stories of those who betrayed Silas’s trust—or at least tried to swindle him for their own benefit. Their lives didn’t last very long, and their deaths didn’t sound pleasant.

It’s like he can taste them in the air, the lies.

“And I believe you,” Silas murmurs, almost in annoyance. “Which is part of the problem,” he adds under his breath. “So, I ask again, why?”

“I want more power than all of them,” I say, jabbing a thumb at the other Sins. “And I see this as a perfect opportunity to take that. The fact that it’ll help the common folk and the upper echelon alike simply sweetens the deal.”

There’s a beat of silence where he searches my face.

“But there’s more,” he adds.

I huff a laugh.

Intuitive bastard.

“There’s always more,” I say.

Silas glances around the room, as if remembering that there are six other people listening to our conversation. He clears his throat.

“You aren’t allowed to bring any more across the Veil until your permits are fully approved.” He gathers the papers and neatly places them back into their folder. Relief sags my shoulders. “And theywillbe approved, provided that I have full access to your operations going forward.”

“Pardon?”

“I think we’ll be excellent business partners, Pride,” he says, that sly smile on his face once again. The man runs through expressions as quickly as Envy goes through girls. He nods to the door, dismissing all of us. “I think we’re done here.”

The room is a cacophony of chairs scratching against the floor as the Sins depart.

“And Pride,” Silas calls before I exit. “Do keep me updated.”

As soon as I step from the meeting room, the measly control I have on my emotions breaks, and rage pumps through my blood. I’m seething and spiraling, and I need toget away.

“Nora!”

My pace is rushed, my hands shake, and my boots clack sharply against the floor as I turn away from the exit and tread deeper into the palace. I know this feeling well, the overwhelm. It’s worse this time around, and I need to put distance between myself and Imogen before I say something cruel.

“Nora!”

Josie always says my words are punishing when I’m like this—when my heartbeat is in my ears and my chest is caving in. She says that I should try to walk away, get a clearer head, rather than fall prey to my anger.

But Imogen follows me still, and I fall into the red-tinged haze anyway.

“Nora,pleasewait.”

I whip around as we turn a corner, a growl ripping from my throat.

“What thefuckwas that?” I point over her shoulder.

She jolts back a step, mouth parted. I don’t think she’s ever heard such vitriol in my tone before. I tend to keep this side of myself far away from her.

There’s a reason for that.

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