Page 25 of Created in Chaos

“So…back to stuff that matters from last night—your cultish island.”

“That isn’t what matters from last night,” Lucian disagrees. I do too, but I’m smart enough not to voice it.

“Why did we have to walk down seventeen hundred stairs if there were elevators?” She makes a disgruntled face.

“Tradition,” I answer. “It’s bullshit.”

“Yeah, my knees hurt.”

“Are you sure you can blame the stairs?” Lucian remarks.

Nova ignores Lucian. “What do you think the whole point of that meeting was? It’s not like anything was accomplished.”

“They claimed you,” I remind her.

“While also casting unveiled suspicion on us, as if we were behind the attack,” Lucian adds.

“Can you really blame them for thinking that?” Nova sends a droll stare in my brother’s direction.

He shrugs indifferently. “No, they are idiots.”

Nova lets out a heavy sigh. “It’s not like you gave them reason or anything by treating me like the scum of the earth when I first arrived.”

Lucian leans forward so he’s closer to Nova. “Did you run back and tell them I was a meanie who hurt your feelings, lamb?”

“No, but it’s not like you were only a jerk when no one was around. I’m sure Alden told them everything. Speaking of him, is he really your cousin or not?”

We answer in unison.

“Yes.”

“No.”

“His entire family was disowned years ago,” Lucian explains.

“He is still our blood,” I argue.

“Why was he disowned?” Nova’s voice is just above a whisper, as if she’s not sure she should be asking.

“His father was caught fucking an Umbra.” Lucian loves to go for shock value.

I watch Nova’s eyes widen as the implications of his words sink in, and she realizes what could happen to her if anyone finds out what happened between the three of us.

“You—”

I cut her off. “It was more than them fucking.” I give my twin a warning look. “He broke the covenant of his marriage and divulged family secrets. You don’t need to worry about being disowned, Nova. There’s nothing you could do that would get the Umbras to renounce you. You’re their last hope.”

“I wasn’t worried about me. I don’t care about being disowned. It’s you two who could get in trouble.” She dismisses my assumption with a little rancor.

“There’s my sweet little lamb with the barbed tongue,” Lucian purrs with adoration. Nova averts her eyes, as if she just admitted a weakness and is ashamed of it. “Don’t worry, pet.” He palms her cheek and urges her to look at him. “I love how soft you are on the inside.” Lucian slips his thumb into her mouth suggestively.

It’s my twin’s version of a tender declaration, even if the words and visual seem debasing. Nova’s lids lower, and I see her jaw move slightly. My cock takes notice too. When Lucian hisses then grins like a madman, I figure she probably showed him more than her barbed tongue and bit him. He’s never been one for pain, but I see the way his eyes darken with lust when she promises retribution. I have no idea how they can be at such odds but fit together so perfectly at the same time.

It gives me hope that she can embrace my dual nature too. Last night, when she seemed to see right inside me and not care about the void that threatens to consume me, I didn’t know if I was grateful or terrified, but I do now. She accepts our flaws and faults.

She has no chance of ever escaping us.

NOVA

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