Page 59 of The Call of Crimson
“That’s what I said.” She shoots me an impish grin. “But I enjoy interesting.”
“You have the same skill for stirring up trouble as your brother.”
“Runs in the family, I suppose,” she confirms.
Rowina falls into step beside me as we head for the dining room. She’s dressed in a deep purple gown that’s understated but beautiful. It complements her hair and eyes perfectly.
Breyla would look devastating in that shade of purple. It wasn’t one I had seen her wear, but there weren’t many things that didn’t look good on her—myself included.
Her gilded eyes narrow at me. “Why are you exuding lust right now,brother?”
Nearly all the Gifts of the Mordet line were mental strengths rather than physical. Apparently, I had forgotten she was an empath. “I was thinking of what Breyla would look like in that color,” I reply, seeing no point in hiding it from her.
“Oh, thank the gods,” she sighs in relief. “But by the gods, try to keep those thoughts contained.”
“No promises.” My brow quirks as we turn a corner. “Why did the queen send you to escort me to breakfast when she could have easily sent one of the staff?”
“Oh, that’s really quite fun,” she replies, a smirk forming on her lips. “Mother didn’t send me. She actually doesn’t care if you’re there or not. Ayden sent me to fetch you. He doesn’t trust you won’t… get lost on your way to the table.”
“Smart bastard.” I chuckle darkly at her astute observation. “And what about you, little sister? Do you trust me?”
Her lips quirk as she mulls over my question. “I think that is a tricky question. Do I trust you implicitly? Absolutely not. I think anyone who trusts another soul implicitly is either foolish or arrogant.”
I nod at her assessment, but she isn’t finished.
“Do I trust you not to harm me or mine? I think so, as long as no one threatens what you care for. Do I trust you not to touch our brother’s betrothed?” She laughs loudly before finishing, “You’d be an idiot to, but fuck no.”
“You forget that before she was your brother’s betrothed, she wasmybrother’s daughter. That didn’t stop me, so why would this?”
The question has her stopping in her tracks. Her previously jovial voice takes on a sharp edge as she replies, “Because there is much more at stake here than getting your dick wet, brother.”
“Breyla is much more than a way to wet my dick.” I meet her piercing eyes head-on, “I made a vow to destroy anything that tries to take her from me.”
“And what if your lies are the thing taking her from you?”
“I stand by my vow,” I say calmly. “If that makes me her villain, then so be it. At least I’m in the right kingdom. This family reeks of deceit.”
Something flickers across Rowina’s face. “You know nothing of this family,” she whispers so quietly I nearly miss it, and we walk the rest of the way to breakfast in silence.
The breakfast table is large enough for the entire Mordet family, plus Charlotte, Breyla, and me. Queen Josephina sits at the head of the table, politely waiting for everyone to be present. To her right sits Ayden, and to her left is Rowina. I take my place next to Rowina, Charlie on my other side. Breyla sits directly across from me on Ayden’s right.
Breyla fidgets, constantly readjusting her dress. The gold gown lifts her breasts as if they are a dish being offered for sampling—and gods, would I love to sample—but it clearly makes her uncomfortable.
My lust is dampened by sadness as I take in the color. Truth be told, it looks horrendous on her. Gold suited Genevieve, but Breyla belongs in dark colors. This is nothing more than a gilded cage meant to soften her edges.
Seeing her like this guts me in a way I didn’t expect. It’s like looking at a ghost—and for a moment, it’s not Breyla I see, but Gen.
The words slip out before I can stop them. “You look like your mother in that dress, Princess.”
Hurt and sorrow flash in her eyes as they hold mine. She says nothing, turning her gaze away from me to speak to Ayden.
I’ve said the wrong thing, and my gut twists. The resemblance is bittersweet, but the observation wasn’t meant to inflict pain.
Warm breakfast pastries, smoked meats, fresh fruit, and potatoes are laid out in front of us, the aroma delighting my senses as I inhale deeply. I frown as a plate of eggs is served. Hushed conversation continues around me, Charlie and Rowina chatting about the weather. But all I can focus on is the eggs and the way they turn my stomach. Pushing the offending food from me, I make room for the smoked meats and potatoes instead, even opting for a pastry.
Anything but the eggs.
We’re only a few bites into breakfast when Queen Josephina asks, “What colors shall your maidens wear for the wedding?”
