Page 148 of Ruthless Scoundrel
“It wasn’t for you. I just want her to be happy,” I say.
She bobs her head. “Good.”
We stand in silence as we watch the others chatting around the table. More people have arrived to introduce themselves. Gareth, Zane’s right hand, and Cecillia, the woman who helped Scarlett’s ascension to lord. A potion master named Adrik who chats with Kazimir in a language I’m not familiar with, and a brown-haired man that’s silenced the air around he and Lily as they tell jokes. Their laughter still vibrates the floorboards.
“You going to marry her?” Scarlett asks suddenly. “For real?”
“Yes,” I say, without hesitation. “I love her.”
“Have anything interesting planned for the wedding? We’ve had a lot of good ones around here and I’m sure she’d like to show us up.”
“What do you mean?” I ask, scowling at her.
“Well, Lily rode into her marriage wearing pants on a giant demon horse, and Zane and I beheaded our rivals as we kissed, so…” She trails off.
“And Alyse?” I ask.
Scarlett sighs. “They say they don’tneedto be married. That what they have is perfect the way it is. But they did fuck while flying, so that’s something.”
I choke on my spit. “I see where she gets it.”
“Gets what?”
“Her fire. You four are so alike,” I say, the ale having warmed my stomach and loosened my tongue.
“I’m glad she has it.” Scarlett looks at Reina, her expression growing concerned. “She’s going to need it.”
“We all are,” I say.
Scarlett clinks my cup with hers. “Cheers to that.”
We drink and the fizzy, sour apple ale pushes away darker thoughts for just another moment.
“So, wedding plans?” Scarlett asks again.
“I see where she gets her relentlessness, too.” I chuckle. “But I do have an idea.”
It’s completely depraved, vulgar, and bastard-like, but if all the sisters have had ridiculous, jaw-dropping weddings, I want Reina to have one, too.
She turns to me with a conspiratorial grin. “Do tell.”
“We’re going to need some of your Spiders.” I can’t hide my smile. “And a pair of enchanted copper shackles.”
Her grin widens as her eye flicks over to Reina then back to me. “Oh, you’re going to fit in here just fine.”
Chapter forty-six
Reina
Finally, I manage to catch a moment with Lily alone.
Mostly alone.
Alastair hovers close to Lily—not as close as Kazimir keeps to Alyse—but I’m not worried about Alastair hearing my plans. In fact, he might be able to help.
“You said you can do permanent body modifications now. Does that include…modifications on others?” I ask.
Lily’s rosy cheeks bunch up in round circles. “Did he not come as well-endowed as you were hoping?”
