Instead, she’d called Alura immediately. “You asked out Bastien?” she’d snapped at her sister without preamble. “How could you be such a bitch?”
Alura hadn’t shown the least bit of remorse over her actions. And why should she? As the youngest of their family, Alura had always thought herself special and immune from the rules of common courtesy. Of common decency. “You threw him away. Remember? I felt bad for the guy. He’s been moping for weeks. Someone needs to have some pity on him. Besides, it’s just dinner. Relax.”
“Relax? Really?”
“What’s your problem, Em?” Alura had dared to use that snotty tone that made Ember want to slap her. “Anyone else would have been on their knees in gratitude to marry a visir, especially one who was so in love with them. Only you would turn him down flat, for no good reason.”
“Yeah, but you don’t have to deal with his ?dara looking down her regal nose at you because you’re not good enough for her precious little baby. Or worse, his zusa. I swear, every time I get near them, I feel the need to check my shoes.”
“Check your shoes?”
“Yeah. Their lips curl like they’re both smelling dog shit.”
Alura had snorted. “You’re ridiculous. No one can make you feel bad unless you allow it.”
“Easy for you to say. I don’t have your galactic-sized ego.”
“And that’s why I asked him out. I don’t mind dealing with his family. Besides, he looks terrible. You’ve just about killed him with your callousness.”
Like it’d been any easier on her? Truth was, she did want to marry him. Bastien was everything she’d ever wanted in a man.
And more.
But damn his family. They were so irritating and intrusive. Every time she turned around, one of them had been in her face. And since they were royalty, with life-and death-sentencing capabilities over everyone in their empire, she hadn’t been able to tell them off.
Worse? His married brother had made several inappropriate advances toward her. Then threatened her, her parents, and sisters if she breathed a word about it to Bastien.
The thought of being tied to that for eternity …
As much as she loved Bastien, it’d been too terrifying to contemplate.
Now her own sister was being a dirtbag.
Again.
Furious and hurt, Ember growled at Alura. “I’m your zusa! You should be thinking about me.”
“I am thinking about you. I’m tying him up until you come to your senses. Then I’ll hand him back. Simple. When you’re ready, I’ll hand-deliver him to your door, myself.”
Something had told Ember even then that Alura was lying. But like a fool, she hadn’t listened. She’d wanted to believe that her own blood wouldn’t screw her over again. Not with another man. And not with one she loved as much as she loved Bastien.
She should have known better.
“You okay?”
Blinking at the question that snapped her out of her memories and brought her back to Alura’s wedding reception, she nodded at her sister Cinder.
Next to the oldest, Cinder was the tallest of her siblings and almost a full head taller than Ember whenever they were barefoot. She’d always envied her sister for that statuesque beauty. As well as her gorgeous reddish-brown hair that cascaded over her shoulders in lush waves and amber eyes Ember would have killed for.
But the best part about Cin was her kind heart and the compassion she’d always held for everyone around her. No matter what, they could count on her for sympathy and hugs.
“I’m good.”
Brand laughed in Ember’s ear as she joined them. “No, she’s not. She’s been sick all day. And right now, she’s thinking of marching over there and snatching out every last bit of Alura’s hair. Want me to help?”
And that was why Ember loved her younger sister. Brandiwyn, or Brand as they often called her, always spoke her mind without a filter. Better yet, she usually spoke the minds of whoever was around her without a filter. And if you needed help hiding a body, she would always be there to lend an eager hand, and would die before she ratted you out.
Nothing could break Brand. Not even their mother’s glower. Or their father’s threats.
Steadfast and loyal, Brand was ever above reproach. It was her temper, daring, and mouth that got her into trouble. She gave as good as she got and refused to back down from anything, or anyone. In that regard, she was an awful lot like Bastien.
“It’s okay, Brand, but thank you for the offer.”
“Fine, but if you change your mind, you know where I live.”
Kindel laughed at her. “And now you know why I had to pat her down before I let her leave the house this morning. I was terrified what she might do to Bastien—or Alura—on your behalf.”
Brand reached for another glass of champagne. “Yeah, well, it’s time Alura learned to keep her hands off our men.”
Ember didn’t comment on Brand’s bitter words. Like her, she’d lost her last boyfriend to Alura’s machinations. “How am I supposed to have another happy family holiday after this?”