Page 11 of The Call of Crimson
“Oh, so watching is fine, but sharing is off limits?” Ophelia tosses in.
My eyes dart between them. “Neither of you is helping the situation.”
“No,” Elijah chimes in with a grin, “but theyaremaking it more entertaining.”
“I hate you all,” I sigh. “Every one of you.”
“Liar,” Aurelius challenges, eyebrow cocked.
I ignore him and fix my gaze on Ayden. “Since we’re all here—how exactly are you and Aurelius brothers, and no one knew?”
“I should clarify,” Ayden says smoothly. “We’re half-brothers. We share a father, but my mother will undoubtedly despise you now that she knows.”
My eyes cut to Aurelius, hurt clear in my tone as I ask, “And you’ve keptthatto yourself for how long, exactly?”
His glare snaps to Ayden. “I’ve known exactly as long as you have, Princess.”
“Like I’d believeanythingyou say after everything else you’ve kept from me.”
Ayden steps in, voice softening slightly. “Easy there, darling. He didn’t know. Not about this. He didn’t know he was the bastard prince of Prudia. Outside of this room, only a handful of people know the truth.”
My anger deflates. Slightly.
So he hadn’t lied about that. He was just as in the dark as I’d been.
“Well, I can see keeping secrets is a family trait.”
Ayden chuckles darkly. “Oh, you have no idea.”
“So, who is his mother?” Ophelia asks.
Ayden’s face hardens, his lips forming a thin line. “That’s a story for another time, I’m afraid.”
Sensing we weren’t going to get much more from him on the topic, I pivot. “Fine, tell me more about the marriage contract you signed with my father.”
“I was wondering when you’d get around to that.” Ayden’s lips tilt in a mischievous smirk. “Honestly, I’m surprised you didn’t ask Aurelius—he was there for the entire negotiation.”
A low growl emanates from Aurelius as I level a glare at Ayden. I had already known that, but he was clearly up to something. “I’m not sure which one of us you’re trying to rile now, but stop it.”
“Such a perceptive female, you are,” Ayden purrs. “I do admire that.”
Shadows form in my palm, dark tendrils shaping into a dagger. “I’m about to be a violent female.”
Out of the corner of my eye, I see Aurelius’s expression shift—his eyes brighten, lips curling into a smug smile.
I narrow my gaze at both of them. “Unbelievable.”
Ayden sighs, mumbling something about how I’m no fun. Finally, Aurelius speaks.
“Your father came to me just over a year ago and told me he wanted peace between Prudia and Rimor. I didn’t know he planned to offer your hand to Ayden to achieve that peace.”
Ayden looks like he has something to say, but wisely keeps his mouth shut.
“Not that you would have cared,” I bite out.
“That’s not fair, Princess.”
“Life isn’t fair, Aurelius. For any of us.” I turn my attention back to Ayden. “Keep talking.”
