Page 11 of Owned

“My sons, I have grown tired of this loneliness,” Lucian said with a deep sigh, as though he had been alone for centuries—

As though we hadn’t just laid Avril’s mother on a cold marble slab in the family tomb. Lucian’s eyes raked over us, and I couldn’t risk a glance at Avril.

“It is time to celebrate this union,” Lucian continued. “I feel, very strongly, that my beloved Julia would have wanted the bond that Avril and I share to be celebrated.”

How could he say such a thing?

My skin crawled at the innuendo in his voice.

We’d made a mistake in throwing Avril at his feet after we’d ruined her. We’d thought that it would dim his lust for her or cast her aside—but it seemed to have only made him want her more.

Lecherous monster.

But a thought struck me—what if it was something else?

Elder Craster… What was it that the old man’s shade had tried to tell me?

The memory was faint, even though it shouldn’t have been.

Elder Craster’s shade had told me that Dario Velez had given something to his daughter before he died…But what?

Across from me, Lucian shifted slightly in his chair and I pushed the thought, and the memory of the shade’s frightful manifestation, away.

“As Valen was so astute in pointing out,” Lucian continued, “the members of the Black Council are, indeed, very invested in this union… This marriage will solidify the power of the Romano name. And our hold over Messana.”

There was no way to ignore what hadn’t been said.

This marriage would solidifyhispower.

Not ours.

“Has anyone asked about the Elder’s disappearance?” Titus asked.

Lucian’s eyes narrowed at the abrupt change of subject.

“In springtime the garden will be alive with color—” Lucian said as though his eldest son hadn’t spoken. His voice softened, as if he were suggesting a pleasant outing rather than a binding contract. “What do you think, Avril?”

Our eyes turned to her.

Avril’s throat worked as she tried to swallow.

“So soon?”

Her voice was choked.

“Do you not think we have waited long enough?” Lucian demanded. He gripped her hand and held it tight, and I tensed as Avril’s mouth twisted in pain as his fingers tightened.

“I—”

Avril’s hazel eyes were wide, her expression desperate and pleading. But we couldn’t move.

“Look at me,” Lucian demanded.

I hoped Avril hadn’t actually believed that Lucian had loved her mother.

If she had, any shred of it should have vanished with this display.

He had thrown my mother aside just as easily.

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