Page 176 of Owned

“Don’t panic,” Bastian said. “We just have to make sure Lucian sees us before—”

His voice trailed away.

He couldn’t even say it.

Couldn’t say,before you marry our father.

He didn’t have to.

I couldn’t bear to look at the dark lace gown in the window or the way the moonlight sparkled off the black glass beads and gems sewn into the delicate material.

I didn’t have to.

“Oh—”

“Be careful,” Titus said. It was both an order and a plea.

“Be strong,” Valen added, though I had the sense the words were as much for him as they were for me.

“Be ours,” Bastian finished.

As if I had a choice in any of it.

I nodded, suddenly unable to speak past the lump in my throat.

They left the room one by one, but they didn’t look back. Not even Valen.

The door closes with a soft click, and I’m alone with the echoes of their voices and the feel of their touch still warm on my skin.

I gathered the sheets around me as I sat in the middle of the bed.

I’d never been more certain of what I had to do, and yet never more aware of the cost.

I had to do this.

Alone.

I was almost convinced of it.

The grimoire’s voice rose in my thoughts.“You’re right to doubt them.”

“Shut up,” I growled.

But its eerie malevolence was almost comforting.

They had left me before, and they were just leaving me again.

They hadn’t even kissed me goodbye.

I wrapped myself tighter in the sheets and let my eyes travel over the dress form, the gown, the gifts scattered on the floor.

I buried my head in my hands and let out a ragged sigh.

This wasn’t what I wanted, and the price was so fucking high.

“Let me help you—”the grimoire said.“The Council… they didn’t prepare you well enough.”

“I know the spell,” I muttered.

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