I promptly went back to rolling the dough, using more concentration than was required.
I could not forget the feeling of the blade sliding into his flesh. I set the rolling pin aside and started on the custard, forcing the silent crunch of bone from my thoughts.
“If I may speak freely, it’s no small favor he’s granted you.”
“What favor?”
“Not insisting you finish the marriage bond. It’s all anyone’s been talking about.”
I hoped the flush in my cheeks would be mistaken for the warmth of the kitchen. How fabulous. The entire court was gossiping about us bedding each other. “This realm certainly needs to learn the difference between choices and favors.”
She lifted a shoulder. “Some might argue that you did make a choice, the night you started the betrothal. That he was the one without true choice.”
“I find it hard to believe Wrath is tolerant of his court discussing our personal business.”
“Your potential position as the princess of this circle is everyone’s business.”
“I—”
“No one blames you, my lady. It’s just… having a co-ruler grants more power to the royals. It secures us from any bored princes in other Houses. Ones who like to stir up trouble on occasion. Princes are immortal, and while most demons live extremely long lives, we are not. Most in the court worry if war comes, our prince will not do all he can for the good of our realm. There are whispers that he may be weakening.”
“That’s ridiculous,” I scoffed. “He is the most powerful prince I’ve met.”
“His power isn’t in question, only his heart. He can seduce you easily enough. Use his influence if necessary. And yet he’s giving you time to decide for yourself.”
“I’m sorry, but I’m having trouble understanding how that is such a foreign concept. Do people in the court really believe he should force me into our marriage? Or bed me against my will? There are laws in the mortal world about that disgusting act.”
“I was not speaking of rape, my lady. That is not tolerated here without Wrath ending the life of the one who dares to take another against their will.” Fauna looked me over. “Don’t appear so shocked. The Seven Circles may be governed by sin, but there are some acts too depraved even for our realm. Punishment for rape is death. Dealt by Wrath’s hand. Other courts favor castration. I promise, if a prince decided to seduce you, especially our prince, you would choose to be in his bed of your own accord.”
“And the court is wondering why he isn’t trying to tempt me?”
“Amongst other things.” She lifted a shoulder as I stopped making the custard and stared. “Consider this. If one cuff is frayed on his suit, it sets the courts talking. They believe if a prince cannot be in control of something as simple as his clothing, there is no hope of him caring about those who live in this circle.”
“They must have entirely too much idle time if they’re gossiping about loose threads.”
“It’s never really about the clothing. It’s about the underlying meaning behind why the prince would not pay enough attention to, or care about such small details.”
I thought back to how affronted Wrath had been when I’d brought him that old shirt from the marketplace. I’d thought he was simply arrogant and unused to peasant clothing. Now I knew it ran much deeper—if anyone from this realm had seen him, they’d call his rule into question.
“A distracted ruler is dangerous, Emilia. It signals weakness. It makes the denizens aligned with that House of Sin question if they should seek new alliances.”
And the princes of Hell all coveted power. Wrath must want to complete the bond very badly. But he’d give up the security of his House, the added power, the rumors in court, all so I could have the one thing he coveted above all else: choice.
“He mentioned something about a ceremony also being required. If we…” I drew in a deep breath. “If we were to—”
“—make sweet, passionate, lust-filled love?” Fauna supplied, her face innocent. “Ravage each other until the early morning hours? Scream each other’s names as he bends you over and slams his—”
“—yes. That. Our marriage wouldn’t be complete until the ceremony was also performed, correct?”
“Correct.”
Fauna smiled as if she’d been privy to the direction my thoughts had journeyed. “Whatever may have transpired between you in the past, do not doubt him now. He must respect you enough to damn his own court. No matter how fleeting.”
I noticed she hadn’t said anything about him caring about or loving me. I wondered if having a husband who respected me would make up for the absence of the other two. Maybe I belonged in House Greed. I didn’t think I’d settle for a marriage that did not contain all three.
More troublesome yet… I wasn’t sure when I’d started considering taking Wrath as my husband. I was already in the underworld. I would soon meet each prince and have an opportunity to learn some of their secrets. I did not need to marry. And no matter what my feelings might be now, I would not give my family up for anyone. As long as I focused on that, all of my romantic notions would fade away.
Hopefully.
A note scrawled in Wrath’s hand arrived later that night.
Training begins at midnight.
Wear the crimson gown.
—W.
I considered ignoring his request, or choosing a pair of trousers and blouse just to prove he neither commanded nor owned me. But acting out of spite wasn’t the road I wanted to travel.
No matter how satisfying it would be to see the glimmer of incredulity on the demanding demon’s face, his lessons would ultimately benefit me.
And I would take every advantage I could get my hands on now. The Feast of the Wolf was quickly approaching, and I would be ready to meet the demons on their playing field and crush them at their own game. In the most well-dressed, backstabbing way imaginable.
With a sigh, I fed the note to the flames and went to dress for my training date with Wrath.
TWENTY