Page 45 of Her Dark Promise

Soren was confused by his brother’s actions.

“No need for dramatics, yet. If you both are useful to me, obey me, then there’s no need for torture.”

Chapter nine

It was well past noon by the time we left the tower. I had them following me down the halls, and into the dining hall to get something to eat. I knew that Bastian would have his mouth watering in no time once the smell of fresh food hit his nose.

No one said a word as we walked, but I could tell that Soren was staring at everything before muttering absentmindedly, “Did you know that this castle was constructed in 817 AD? And look at her.. Still standing after all these years.”

“Ren…” Bastian said tersely.

“Oh! And did you know that the labor to construct these walls was so rigorous that people were said to have died right on the spot?” He placed his hands on the cold walls as if he could hear the past. “It’s rumored that they were buried within the walls because they didn’t want to take the time to bury them in the ground. I suppose there were too many bodies to worry about.”

“Why do you always jest in the worst situations?” Bastian questioned. Soren shrugged and Bastian walked up to him and slapped the back of his head. “Say another word about the stupid castle and I will bury you within these walls myself!”

“Okay, sorry,” He said, rubbing the back of his head.

We entered the dining hall. “The seat to my left belongs to Emilia. She is the only other female that resides in this castle. Callum’s seat is directly to my right. You both can sit next to him, I don’t care which seat you occupy.” We were walking toward the table as I finished explaining where everyone’s place was. “Sit.”

I had assumed that they would want to sit as far away from me as possible, but Soren went to sit next to Callum. Bastian intervened at the last moment and sidestepped around him, forcing Soren to sit three seats away from me.

Callum entered with a couple of trays full of food.

“Hunter, be a doll and help Callum fetch the rest.”

He stood and left with Callum without another word.

Now, it was just Soren and I, and he didn’t waste a single moment before asking, “Are there any other people living here?”

“No, just the three of us. And you two.” I leaned back into my chair. His tone and demeanor reminded me of a child. What other questions would he ask? My head was already starting to pound.

Callum set the rest of the platters down and took his seat.

“Is Emilia going to be joining us?” Soren asked.

I didn’t want to give it another thought, but she should have been down by now. I didn’t know where she went after I left, and I hadn’t sent Callum to get her because I had never needed to in the past. Maybe she just needed a little more time to come to terms with Bastian. Though, I would have to have a conversation with her right after lunch.

It didn’t go well the last time, and now with the addition of Soren… I shook the thought away. I could already see her face pinched together with distaste.

“She will join if she wishes. However, you are not to approach her unless she approaches you first. Is that understood?” They both nodded.

I reached forward and took a few blackberries from the platter, giving them the cue to dig in. They all filled their plates as I sat back and slowly plopped the berries into my mouth, staring at the two newcomers.

I could see Bastian doing his best to ignore me, only side-eyeing me occasionally. But not his brother. Once he realized that I was looking at him, he stared right back. His gaze was intense, so intense that I almost looked away.

I cleared my throat and said, “Let’s get introductions out of the way. These two are Soren and Bastian, my new pets.” I pointed a sharp nail at Callum. “And this is Callum, my consort.”

“Consort?” Bastian questioned bluntly, but then seemed to swallow his tongue.

I was about to continue when I saw a look cross both of their faces that made me pause.

“Do you have a problem with a woman using a man for sex?” They both looked away from me, and I continued, “Or is it because I am not a male that I should think higher of myself and not fuck anyone other than my husband?”

Bastian spoke up, “It is just not something that is talked about so openly.”

“Spin your judgment however you like; you are still looking down upon us for enjoying each other sexually. You will learn that within these walls, we fuck whenever we want and wherever we want. There are no rules here, no standards. We’re just…us.”

The idea perplexed Bastian enough to stare off for a long few seconds, considering the idea.

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