Page 32 of A Crown of Tears and Treason
“You crashedmywedding–”
“Because of the Code. I’ve seen what a broken marriage alliance can do.”
“–killed my groom–”
“Which you’re heartbroken over, obviously.”
It was hard to scowl at him when he was behind me. “–and now I’m here, in the Blood Brotherhood’s Citadel–”
“By your own choice.”
Those four words knocked the air out of me. I had chosen to come here, hadn’t I? Nobody had forced me.
“I should have married Fabrian in secret and been done with it,” I mumbled.
“Ah, yes. A fine specimen of a man, that one.”
I looked over my shoulder and narrowed my eyes at him. There was a mean grin playing on his lips.
“At least he didn’t walk around with an army at his back.” I nodded at the doors. I hadn’t heard the guards march away.
He didn’t come closer, but I could swear I felt his hot breath ghosting across the nape of my neck. "Did you think I needed an army back at the wedding?"
No, he'd cowered four hundred Clan members with a look and a grin. But I wasn’t about to tell him that.
"Those were your new Citadel guards," he said.
Myguards.Myrows upon rows of clothes.Myhouse.
A lot of things I hadn’t asked for and didn’t need.
"I planned on introducing you, but you seemed preoccupied,” he said. “Still in mourning, I see."
“Yes, I’m obviously gutted at losing Fabrian."
He began walking again, coming to stand in front. All his attention focused on me sent an unwanted skitter down my spine. “Why did you agree to marry him?”
I met his questioning gaze head-on. "If I say it was for his money, would you believe me?"
“Then I should apologize for ruining your plans.” There was that damned smirk again; not a smile, and definitely not warm. “It’s a shame I assassinated him before he signed your marriage contract and left you half his fortune.”
The bastard could have choked on all his gold for all I cared. "I guess I'll have to settle for half of yours, then."
From the way his gaze thawed the tiniest bit, he knew I was bluffing.
"You don’t seem like the type to marry me for my riches,” he said. He sounded so sure of himself, too. Like I couldn’t be one of those cunning, conniving Clan members that schemed her way to the top. Like I was powerless.
"What’s that supposed to mean? I could be a gold digger if I want to."
“I’ll hide the silver, then.” His grin grew, before vanishing altogether. The change was harsh, tightening his features untilhe turned serious and unnerving. “Why did you agree to the marriage, Evie?”
It was so strange to hear my name come out of his mouth, in that deep, raspy voice. His tone was perfectly polite, but I heard the underlying message–he wanted the truth. Now.
He’d get half of it. “To protect my cousins.”
His eyes narrowed further. He didn’t believe me. “Why did you agree to marry me?”
“To protect my cousins,” I said again. The full truth this time. “It wasn’t like I was dying to be whisked off to the Blood Brotherhood high command and tie my name to yours for all eternity.”
