Page 8 of House of Demons and Bones

“Why the fuck should I go first?” Rowan challenged. “Why should I even trust you after you tried to kill me?”

“Tried and failed, unfortunately,” Killian said. “Are you going to hold it over my head forever? And let’s be honest—I wasn’t fighting at full strength.”

“Neither was I, asshole,” Rowan said, running a hand over his fine silver hair. “I’ll do this, but you’re starting. Go ahead. Share your dirty secret.”

“Nothing but truth now,” Killian said.

I set down my fork, heart beating in my throat.

Three pairs of eyes stared at the chaos prince—Rowan’s and mine and Sy’s watching through the same face.

“I fucked Barbie,” Killian said. “Many times.”

3

Sy

Barbie’s heart tripped, her two-toned eyes going wide. Her greedy hand froze halfway to another cake.

She stared at the chaos prince, stunned. “What?”

“I fucked you and I loved every second of it,” he said.

“Why would you say things like that?” she hissed.

Dumbass,I sighed.He’s not trying to shock you—he’s making a commitment. After watching me fuck all these years, you still don’t get it.

Some things just couldn’t be taught. While I rolled with changes, Barbie dug her heels in against them. The world wasn’t going to wait for her.

The chaos prince’s eyes blazed into hers—ours—and damn if I didn’t feel that heat. I would’ve melted right there if my sugar Rowan wasn’t anchoring me. His gaze stayed fixed on our face too. He wasn’t looking at Barbie—he was seeing straight through to me.

“Still denying what’s between us, little scorpion?” Killian purred.

“But—” Barbie stumbled, lost for words before her jaw set. “What’s between us? Huh? Last I checked, you were tangled up with your betrothed and her ward.”

“Never tangled with them like you imagined,” he said. “And today you’ll get the whole truth. No tricks. No lies. I’m laying it all out with Rowan as our witness. I wish Cade were here, but we can’t risk telling my other brothers. Ready for the hard facts, little scorpion?”

Rowan glanced between Barbie and Killian, unfazed.

“I saw you kiss her in the CrimsonTide dungeon,” he said. “It didn’t surprise me that she could get around your bond with Queen Lilith, as no spells stick to Barbie. It’s none of my business if you want her more than your betrothed. I’ll keep quiet. But you came at me, ready to kill, when you thought I fucked her. I’ve never seen you lose your shit over anyone else. So, ask yourself, will you do everything in your power to keep her? How will you handle your powerful betrothed? She can’t be humiliated, and Barbie won’t settle for being your fucking side piece. She deserves better, and I’ll back her, for Sy’s sake.”

My man is a rock.I grinned.He’s got our backs.

Killian swallowed, a riot of emotions flashing through his storm-blue eyes. “Barbie can override my forced bond with Lilith, but not because she can nullify spells. She’smyfated mate. Never thought it’d happen, but my true mate found me.”

Barbie blinked so hard it hurt our eyes. I wasn’t shocked, but Barbie froze, gaping at Killian.

“Say that again?” she croaked.

I already told you he’s your mate.I groaned.

You also told me to fuck Cade,she shot back.

Yeah, if you couldn’t fuck Killian, then Cade would do,I said.I just wanted to cushion your fall.

Rowan stared at the chaos prince, shock finally cracking his cool.

“Are you fucking kidding me?” he asked.

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