Page 45 of The Alien's Vicious Starflash Manor

“No more threats. No more using those ribbons to control Lara.”

“Absolutely not. Otherwise, there’s nothing to stop you from reneging on your agreement.”

The ribbons pulse with power and Lara’s wrists jerk slightly before I force the magic back under control.

“Okay, then. Kila stays with us. In our rooms.”

“The raya can visit. But it sleeps in the kitchen.”

The sisters turn and stare at each other wordlessly for a long moment, and I’m briefly convinced they’ll make more demands.

Goddess. I can’t stay in here much longer. Lara’s scent permeates everything, and it’s all I can do not to drag her across the hallway and into my room.

Into my bed.

“Deal.” Izzy holds out her hand like I’ve seen humans do in business transactions.

I stare at it for a moment before taking it. Her skin feels blazing hot against my perpetual cold. Like Lara’s.

Like the fire that burns through my veins whenever I’m near her sister.

Speaking of which...

Lara steps closer, and my entire body tenses in response. “I have a condition, too.”

“Oh?” I try for casual disinterest, but my voice emerges rougher than intended.

“No more lies.” She tilts her head, studying me. “If you want us to help you, you tell us everything. No more hidden agendas.”

My chest constricts at her words. If she knew my true plans...knew what I intend to do with their blood...

“I’ll tell you what you need to know.” It’s the best I can offer without destroying everything.

She holds my gaze for a long moment before nodding slowly. “I suppose that’s the best we can expect from the Ice Court.”

The bitterness in her tone cuts deeper than it should. I step back, trying to rebuild my walls of cold distance. “As I said, Lady Uanna’s personal seamstress, Madame Evangeny, will arrive to begin creating your wardrobes shortly.”

“New clothes?” Lara glances down at her robe, again drawing my attention to the way her breasts push against the silky fabric. I close my eyes briefly, fighting the urge to go to her, to pull her into my arms and?—

Cursing under my breath, I turn away, sweeping out of the room before I can do something foolish like kiss her.

The door closes behind me with a decisive click, and I lean against it for a moment, letting the cold seep back into my bones.

Through the wood, I hear the sisters begin to argue in hushed voices.

I push away from the door and stride down the hall, frost trailing in my wake.

In less than a ten-day, they’ll be presented at court. In less than a ten-day, everything changes.

I just pray I can maintain my distance until then.

CHAPTER 13

LARA

Less than a full hour after Ivrael leaves, a round Icecaix woman with graying blonde hair artfully piled atop her head swoops into the room.

She’s wearing white lace gloves and a frilly pink dress, despite looking like she’s in her sixties, and is followed by several young women weighed down with supplies. They continue streaming in after her, carrying bolts of fabric, baskets brimming with sewing supplies, a tiny round dais, and several standing mirrors.

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