Page 207 of Silenced

Perhaps she can sense my confusion about her home because she keeps scowling at me, even as she placed me at the head of the table earlier.

I begin to see where Cassiopeia got her contrary ways from—they’re inherited.

With narrowed eyes as she serves more tea, tea that I half expect to get tossed in my lap, Dema inquires, “Why isn’t she wearing your ring?”

“Because I had to kill him, first, and secondly, I needed your permission seeing as her father is no longer with us.”

“Smooth, very smooth.” Her mouth tightens as she lifts her teacup to take a sip of the incredibly strong brew.

If I hadn’t known she’d been married to a Russian, that alone would have confirmed it.

“She didn’t know who her father was but when did you find out?”

She eyes me over the cup. “A year after we married.”

“Do you mind if I ask how?”

“I got shot by one of his old… colleagues. Lost our first baby. I nearly left him.”

“He chose to tell you everything?”

“Almost everything. By that time, he’d retired from his work. My husband was a lot older than I was.” She studies me. “I already lost my daughter once to a bastard who tried to destroy her. Your rep makes Harvey look like a puppy dog.”

“I would never hurt her. I only want what’s best for her.”

The question is, how does she even know what my rep is?

“I’m sure Harvey would have said the same thing at one point.”

I concede that with a nod then pick up a blini. “I’m a murderer. I’ve killed hundreds, Dema. Will kill hundreds more before I die.” I hitch a shoulder as I use the mother-of-pearl spoon to drop beads of caviar onto the homemade pancake. “I’m not a good man but I’m better than Harvey. Her safety will always be my priority.”

“And what if she needs to be protected from you?”

“That will never happen.”

“If it does?” she persists.

Studying her, and seeing the intensity behind the question, I grace her with my full attention. “Do you know what an Oskalis?”

Her sniff is disparaging. “Of course I do.”

“I’ve seen your daughter around Rundel. I’ve seen her when she’s cornered—she reacts like prey. With me, she does not because she knows, deep in her being, that I will never hurt her. That she is safe with me. I can offer no assurance other than that.” I pause. “When I found her, he’d tied her to a bed and had drugged her. The moment I set eyes on her, I knew what she was to me.”

“What?”

“My little sun,” I say simply. “I lead a dark life, something you’re already aware of if you knowwho ‘Mute’ is andwhat‘Mute’ has done, but she brings light to those shadows.”

“Life is long. Marriage makes it seem even longer—”

“It will never be long enough. Not with her at my side.” I purse my lips. “How did Peshnya keep you safe after that first attack?”

Dema doesn’t blink at the change of subject, but neither does she pick it up. Instead, she requests, “I expect your vow that if Cassie—”

“Cassiopeia,” I correct.

“I call her Cassie. That name was her father’s idea. Not mine. Obsessed with the stars he was,” she says on a huff. “Anyway,if Cassieever wants to leave you, I want you to promise that you’ll let her go.”

“My word might mean nothing,” I point out.

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