Page 61 of House of Demons and Bones

I held my tongue—his resentment toward Killian and their constant pissing contests proved he cared plenty. Still, I got it. The final truth of being the chaos king’s bastard and Killian’s half-brother would wreck him.

He’d also lose his popularity, hand his sister leverage to challenge his heir status, and lose his court’s backing. Even if he won the duel, being outed as illegitimate would strip him of everything.

Royals and their dirty laundry.

“Thatwas unfortunate,” Cade said, threading his hand through his wine-colored hair.

“Enough,” Silas snarled, jabbing a finger at Louis. “Your turn—bet you’ve got darker secrets.”

Louis sighed. “Not like you lot.”

“Share, bloodsucker! You swore the oath too!” Silas shouted, taking his frustration out on his long-time nemesis.

“Don’t get your boxers twisted, dog. I’m talking,” Louis said. “Sorry to disappoint, but I’m no bastard. And my mother’s bloodrage isn’t a secret. She hasn’t been allowed to leave the court for decades. Most nights, she’s confined to the tower. Dad never had other heirs, so no one contests my position. But his expectations crush me. He wants me to find my fated mate and produce the prophesied One.” That explained his orgies during my stay in the vampire house. “No dirty secrets, just my darkest fear: failing to find my fated mate and disappointing the entire kingdom.” His eyes locked on me longingly. “As you know, for vampires, the only way to confirm their true mate is to claim and drink from her at the same time.”

Killian bared his teeth, Tyson’s fire streaming from his mouth. “Take Barbie off that fuck list.”

“It’s not a fuck list,” Louis snapped. “It helps me find a mate.”

Cade pressed his palm to his forehead. “Not this shit again.”

“Your turn, but I doubt you have any secrets or fears.” Rowan gestured at Cade. “Everyone knows your parents are perfect, and you always look happy and carefree. You don’t have our scars.”

The fae prince couldn’t be more wrong, but only I knew about Cade’s pain.

Cade, the kindest heir who got along with everyone, stared into the distance, his face darkening with each passing second.

“I’m cursed,” he said heavily. “Or being punished.”

“Are you serious?” Silas asked.

“I can never have a mate,” Cade said. “Can’t have love. My kiss freezes anyone to death, so forget about intimacy.” His eyes flicked to me. “There’s only one exception, but she’s different.”

“Who’s she?” Louis asked.

“I won’t expose her,” Cade said.

Rowan frowned. “You took the blood oath.”

I waved a hand and shrugged. “It was me. I kissed him.”

Killian’s fiery gaze landed on me. I stared back. I didn’t back down from a challenge, not even from my fated mate. No one got to control or dominate me, no matter the situation.

The heirs’ eyes bounced between us three.

Killian turned his lethal stare on Cade—his closest ally.

“How dare you?” Killian’s soft voice carried death. “I thought you were my brother.”

“Cade didn’t kiss me,” I said. “I stole his kiss.”

“Why, little scorpion?” Killian demanded. “Why would you kiss another man?”

“For a good reason,” I said, my fingers curling into fists at my sides. “And look at yourself, Killian. I saw how you were with my replica—all whispered conversations.”

“So that was your revenge?” Killian growled, his storm-blue eyes flashing. “I wasn’t cozy with anyone. I kept them distracted so they’d leave you alone.”

“Sure, that worked brilliantly,” I sneered, ignoring the way my heart raced at his proximity and my body hummed at his heat.

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