Page 161 of The Dark Lord's Guide to Dating

She responded with a predatory tilt of her head. “But she’s so responsive. I can’t help being curious about her strengths... or weaknesses.”

I leaned in, refusing to look away from her challenging gaze. “If it was only about power, Kazimir could’ve pursued it elsewhere. I assume certain paths proved short-lived?”

Her bright red nails tapped the table. Kazimir’s posture stiffened enough to signal he was done entertaining that line of talk, and Garrick took the opening.

“We’ve sensed changes running far deeper here,” Garrick said, voice scratchy as a coffin’s hinge. “Magic straining under an ancient hunger. It feels as if something latched onto this citadel, feeding.”

My stomach turned cold, but I kept my shock off my face.

“My wife’s bloodline resonates strongly with my dominion magic,” Kazimir said. “It’s produced interesting consequences.”

“And potential hazards,” Lord Gilt muttered, tapping jeweled fingertips on his goblet. “That concerns the Syndicate.”

Kazimir’s shadows loomed a fraction darker along the walls. “If I’ve threatened the Syndicate, it’s news to me. Our goals remain aligned.”

“But your methods do not,” Baron Revek said. Something mechanical whirred from his chest.

Garrick’s gaze settled across the table at me. “You two share power. That threatens the balance we rely on.”

I forced my spine to remain straight. “Does the Syndicate oppose innovation? Isn’t experimentation part of your core?”

The Alchemist let out a delighted laugh. “She certainly has a point.”

Kazimir used that moment to propose ending the dinner, claiming our guests had traveled far and needed rest. After a subtly charged exchange of glances, Lady Vespera agreed. One by one, servants led the Syndicate members to their guest suites.Lady Zaraiah paused by me on her way out, leaning in so I caught a potent whiff of her spicy perfume.

She whispered for my ears alone, “Kazimir collects power like trophies—beautiful at first, then replaced once he finds something better.” She gave a soft, knowing smile. “Don’t mistake your present seat for permanence.”

I couldn’t resist a low murmur, though she was already turning away. “Did he discard your power, or did you simply fail to keep him interested?”

Her step hesitated, shoulders tensing just slightly under that gorgeous crimson gown, but she walked on without a word.

Meanwhile, Kaz was giving orders to a servant in a low voice. By the time I excused myself, he caught up to me in the hallway with a fleeting grim look that softened once our eyes met.

“I keep repeating this,” he said quietly, “but you were brilliant.”

I crossed my arms over the gown’s low neckline. “Apparently, your ex-lovers are more dangerous than your enemies. Should I be taking notes or hiring a guard?”

His mouth twitched. “Jealous, are we?”

“Try concerned,” I hissed. “Zaraiah seemed to know you awfully well.”

He brushed a stray lock of hair away from my face, and a faint tingle burst along my skin at the small gesture. “Not as well as she believes,” he said. “She wanted power more than she wanted me. ButIrefusedher.”

“Does she plan to orchestrate your downfall now?”

He gave a humorless snort. “Most likely. She’s more trouble than Morana, but less cunning. Trust me.”

His gaze dropped to my mouth. Even in the midst of political chaos, a pulse of heat flared between us. “You do have a habit of making your lovers into enemies,” I quipped softly.

“Then maybe I did it in the correct order with you.”

“Enemy first, lover second? Truly romantic.”

He stepped closer. “It’s a foundation built on truth, even if it’s a twisted one.”

“Speaking of twisted,” I said with a glare. “What in the hell were you doing with your shadows during dinner?”

“You looked tense,” he murmured, reaching up to brush his thumb across my collarbone. Amusement and desire warred in his eyes. “I thought a little... distraction might help.”

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