Page 55 of Until the End of Ever
“Mad? Mad!” she repeated, becoming more incensed by the second. “Maybe because we fucked, Lucian Regis!”
As her voice had risen to a shout, and I had no doubt that Mother was lurking upstairs, trying to listen in, I wordlessly wove a privacy spell, containing the sounds within the room, and shut the door with a wave of my hand.
“You made me the other woman!” Kleos carried on at an octave higher than usual. “Do you know howhumiliatingthat is?”
“You’re the one taking suitors. Men who declare their formal intention to marry you, and ask the head of your house for their blessing,” I spelled out, in case the term itself wasn’t clear. “That’s ahellof a lot more binding that what I have going on.”
“I have zero intention of accepting any of them,” she raged, taking a step towards me in her anger.
That’s it, beautiful little witch. Come closer.
“You’reengaged. What we’re doing? That’s cheating.”
“Oh, please. ‘I’ll marry you if you’re single at thirty’ isn’t an engagement by any stretch of imagination. There is zero ink on any agreement. She doesn’t hold any Regis or Saltzin jewelry,” I added, pointedly staring at the spot under Kleos’s blouse where I knew she concealed Gertrude’s parure. “She doesn’t hold my attention.”
You have it.
“I thought your word was binding,” Kleos reminded me, eyes dangerously narrowed. “That a promise from you was as good as written and signed!”
“Indeed. And the wording of that pact was purposeful:ifwe’re both unattached, I’d wed her. As in, I could offer to date Ronan the day before her birthday, and thereby wiggle out of the deal.”
“So people ought to consult a lawyer regarding the phrasing of your oaths, then?” She pushed her index finger into my chest accusingly. “You said you’re bound by your words, and yet I find that you twist words like a fae for an out!”
She didn’t even know what she was pissed about by this point. My deal with Thea? My deal not being binding? The possibility of me making a deal with her that I could renege on? I hoped for the latter option, but at this point, I needed answers, not guesses.
“Thea’s aware of the deal, and of its constraints,” I assured her. “I made my intentions abundantly clear. Just like I would if I ever gave you my word.”
She huffed. “How many women do you plan to make deals with, exactly?”
I smirked, aware that the expression never failed to get under her skin. Kleos never quite trusted them, as though she was wondering whether I was joking with her or amused at her expense. “I have many deals, with many creatures, both male and female. There’s a hellhound I promised biscuits to so long as it let me pass, and a lost goddess without a temple who gets flowers from me every May Day. I swore to bring evergold seeds to Osiris, spelled to bloom even in his underworld, bargaining it for a soul I wanted back. I’ll certainly make more deals.”
She crossed her arms in front of her chest. “Whatever. None of my business.”
She was back to controlling her tongue, her expression, her posture. I couldn’t have that.
“Mm.” I leaned in, whispering. Conspiratorial. “Sounds to me like you’d like it to be.”
I wanted Kleos to lose enough control to show any feeling under the surface, the source of that jealousy. Was she truly just a proper young lady, ashamed of her role in what she saw as cheating, without good reason? I didn’t think so. But she ran Sunday. She was showing nothing but pride today. Maybe she truly didn’t care.
“Tell me. Are your feathers ruffled because you took a tumble with a man you have decided is committed, despite everyone else in the world knowing otherwise? Or are you out of sorts because you don’t want Thea to have any claim on what’s yours?”
“Yours?” she shrieked. “You can’t be mine if you agreed to marry some girl!”
“You take suitors,” I reminded her. “You flee at the mere mention of anything potentially serious, but you’re jealous of a stupidpact?”
“You gave her yourword. You could be married in seven years.”
“I could. And I likely will, in fact, if you’re uninterested. So I’m asking you yet again. Are you interested?”
As she remained silent, clinging to her composure, I decided to be direct, dropping the smile, and all hint of amusement. “I can also take a hint. If I’m completely mistaken, you don’t have to worry about my bringing it up again. We can go back to our budding friendship. I’ll keep my hands, my thoughts, and any intent to myself until you’re free from danger. Then you can return to your life, your suitors, your side of town, and we’ll pretend none of this ever happened.”
That could be what she wanted. Most of the time, her behavior said as much. Tonight was the first time I thought I saw something else. But contrary to popular belief, I wasn’t always right.
Blue eyes snapped to mine, something like panic in their shifting depths.
“I—” Kleos started, before lowering her gaze to her feet.
Breathe, I willed myself.Let her speak.
