Page 133 of Married to the Devil

“If you say so,” Kalos says, his voice softens. “I’d hate for anything to happen that you’d regret not being there.”

That sentiment makes my breath catch for a moment. Regret is an impossible subject.

“I won’t abandon my family,” I snap.

Kalos sighs, and I feel a pang that I’ve disappointed him.

“With how capable you’ve become, I forget how painfully young you are,” he says, but it’s not disappointment in his gaze. It’s understanding. “I know a thing or two about not getting attached. Are you planning on dissolving the bonds?”

I rear back at the question. “How did you know?”

“It was a guess. I do know you rather well.”

I duck my head at how obvious his ploy was and in guilt over what I just acknowledged.

“It was an accident,” I say.

“That’s not unheard of for your kind. Some would say it’s even a gift.” Kalos would say that. He’d been unable to bond since the deaths of his son and former mate centuries ago. “Do you think either of them would be upset by a bond?”

My blush deepens that he’s guessed that I’m bonded not just to Stella, but to Stoneheart as well. “It doesn’t matter. I don’t belong with them. My position is here.”

“Yet, you didn’t form bonds to anyone here, platonic or otherwise.”

“I’m hardly a demon?—”

“Nonsense. Being separated from your heritage doesn’t make you any less of a demon. The fact is, they are what instigated the change.”

And I miss them terribly, but this is the logical conclusion of what we were playing at. Better to have a clean cut now.

“We’re your family, and we want what is best for you.” Kalos looks wistful now. “And that means facing the fact that you’ve outgrown us.”

Anxiety clogs my throat. “Are you sending me away?”

“Of course not, but you’ll regret staying.”

“You don’t understand.” They don’t need me. I’m ancillary to their relationship. I could be deprived of everything if they sochoose. I have no claim, something that became painfully clear when I’d realized I’d fathered Stella’s child.

Kalos waits, but I have nothing left to say. I won’t cause the two that own my heart more trouble than I already have.

I’ll accept the pain of separation rather than risk them.

Kalos rolls his eyes. “Stay stubborn then. We’ll see what fate has in store for you.”

The words sound like a threat.

43

REMY

“Leave the door open,”I instruct Silas as our guests enter the library. I want what is said in this room to spread like wildfire. Maybe we’ll get lucky, and that Leonid chef will be delivering food at exactly the right time.

We’re due some luck.

If luck alludes us, my inner circle can spread gossip as well as the rest of them if given leave.

Silas stands next to the doorway, giving the esteemed visitors the illusion of privacy.

If it were real privacy, I may have given into the urge to strangle the smug look off Councilor McConnell’s face, but it wouldn’t do to attack someone on the Council.

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