Page 253 of Of Sins and Sacrifice

“What do you want, Kai? I’m not in the mood to argue.”

“I did not come to argue,” he states.

“Why did you come then?”

He turns, his eyes meeting mine.

“Are you…all right?”

My brows go up in shock.

“What…do you mean?”

“I’ve spoken with Father and he seems to favor a union with Cerenios. He thinks you’ve caught his eyes.”

“No,” I immediately reply. “That is to say he is mistaken.”

“Is he? He seemed quite sure. The Duchess of Sigmore even invited you personally to her banquet.”

“I think it’s a misunderstanding. What could Cerenios see in me?” I attempt a laugh.

He doesn’t share my amusement. His eyes are icy cold as he regards me intently.

“You would do well to stay away from Cerenios, Minerva. Theron is a good enough match for you.”

I blink in shock.

“Good enough? What is that supposed to mean?” I blurt out.

“You are misunderstanding me, Minerva.” He sighs.

“There is no misunderstanding. What, you think Cerenios is too good for me?” I step closer to him, folding my arms across my chest. “That the only male I’m worthy of is that pompous Theron?”

His lips flatten.

“Theron is safe,” he adds cryptically.

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“You should stay away from Cerenios, Minerva,” he starts but suddenly stops. “Knowing your nature, telling you to stay away from him will make it even more likely that you’ll do the opposite.”

“Damn right.”

His lips curl in a slight smile.

“Let us leave the rebellion for a moment and not antagonize every word I say. Think you can do that?”

“Depends on what you say.”

He curses under his breath.

“Cerenios is dangerous. The way he and Commander Azerius showed interest in you does not sit right with me. If he seeks you out, please try to avoid him, or only see him in a populated area so he cannot do anything.”

“By doing anything you mean…”

“I do not know yet. But something is strange and I do not like this sudden interest he has in you.”

I happen to know all too well what Cerenios wants, but to see my brother worried about me tells me the matter must be even more dire than I imagined.

---