by Katee Robert
“The cost of my happiness?”
“You don’t know if you’re going to be happy. It’s too new.”
I have to fight not to roll my eyes. “The three of us have known each other for nearly a decade. I dated them separately for two years. We have plenty of foundation, and none of it is new.”
“Fine,” she snaps. “Forgive me for giving a fuck.”
“Consider yourself forgiven,” I snap back. I open my mouth and then burst out laughing. “This is the most ridiculous fight.”
“Only because you’re ridiculous,” she grumbles. Cordelia waves a hand. “If they’re coming to dinner, we’re making a thing of it. A statement.”
I have to fight down a blush thinking about the statement we made last night. “I’ll leave that to you.”
“Go take a nap and get your head on straight. I need you on your A game tonight, Izzy.”
“Consider it done.”
It’s only when I get up to my room and strip out of my borrowed clothes that I have a chance to wonder if this short time of forced distance will be enough for cold logic to set in with the men. It’s easy to agree to a throuple when we’re all naked and fucking. Will it hold up to the cold light of day?
I turn on my shower and walk back into my room. It’s only then that I realize I left my phone at Gaeton’s. I have no way to call them, no way to reassure myself that they still want this, still want me.
If they show up, I’m going to feel like the biggest asshole for having doubts. I should trust them, should trust the connection I know we all felt.
But I can’t help the shadows creeping around the edges, whispering that this was all a game of vengeance to repay me for the harm done.
Chapter 28
Beast
It feels strange walking into this house again. Strange to know that this time, if things go as planned, we won’t be leaving in any permanent way. I glance at Gaeton, but he’s got his arrogant grin in place. That tells me as much as anything. He’s not comfortable, and he’s not sure how this is going to play out. Saying that we want to be together is all well and good, but if Cordelia decides that she isn’t a fan of the idea …
Then we’re left with two options. Take Isabelle and run, cutting her off from her remaining family. Or walk away for good.
I hate both those fucking options, so I’m invested in ensuring no one has to make any tough choices. I brush Gaeton’s arm. “Steady.”
“Steady as a fucking rock.”
The door opens before we get to it, and I nearly miss a step at Sienna Belmonte grinning at us. That expression never means anything good. She stands back and opens the door wide. “Come in, come in. You’re nearly late.”
I exchange a look with Gaeton and we walk through the door. The house looks nearly the same as it did a month ago, which is strange to me. Orsino’s passing from this world should have more physical consequences. There should be more in evidence here. It’s an odd thing to expect; it’s not as if Cordelia’s priorities right now are on redecorating.
Sienna strides down the hall, leaving us to pick up our pace in order not to be left behind. She gives another of those unsettling grins over her shoulder. “I don’t think I have to say it, but I’m a fan of clearly marked action and consequence. As such,” She slows. “If you hurt my sister, I will take you into my lab and make you wish for death before I finally let you cross over. I’m very good, and I can make it last a very long time. Do we understand each other?”
She’s not bluffing. Sienna is incapable of bluffing. I hold her gaze. “We’re not going to hurt Isabelle.”
“Then I suppose we’ll never have to worry about it, will we?”
I expect her to take us back to the private dining room the family uses on a daily basis. Instead, Sienna leads us down the wide hall meant for entertaining. To the banquet room. There’s no other description for it. Orsino knew how to put on a show when the situation called for it, and everything about the dining room is designed to impress, from the size of the table to the paintings hanging along the walls of the room. The table is large enough to fit twenty people easily, and it’s already half-filled when we walk through the door.
Cordelia sits at the head of the table, Muriel standing at her shoulder. The latter watches every person in the room with an intensity that says if anyone steps out of line, she’ll strike first and ask questions later. Sienna takes the chair at Cordelia’s right hand, the seat on the other side of her occupied by a plus-sized dark-haired man. David. He’s chatting with a man on his other side that I don’t recognize, as if this is just as normal dinner. David’s always had that skill, if normalcy can be termed a skill. He puts everyone around him at ease.
I should be clocking the other people at the table, but my attention snags and narrows in on Isabelle. She sits at Cordelia’s left hand, her back to us. Her hair’s been piled up on her head, leaving her long neck bare, and she’s wearing a cheery yellow dress that should look out of place in this gathering where everyone is dressed in muted colors. But no, she’s a beam of sunshine in this room and I take a step toward her before Gaeton nudges my shoulder.
“Focus,” he murmurs.
Right. There’s a song and dance to perform, and we can’t afford to skip any steps. I glance at him. “After you.”
He gives a faint smile. “You’re just looking for a shield.”
“Cordelia likes you more than she likes me.”
Now his smile broadens. “Everyone likes me more than they like you. It’s my winning personality.” He moves in front of me, leading the way. I can’t see the head of the table with Gaeton’s broad back in the way, but I’m conscious of the attention of everyone else in the room on us. Then he steps aside and easily sinks to a knee. I follow suit.
Cordelia watches us over the rim of her wine glass. “So the prodigal sons return. Did you enjoy your month off?”
For once, Gaeton doesn’t have shit to say. It’s just as well. I don’t mind taking on this firing squad. I hold her gaze for a three-count and then drop my eyes. “Grief does strange things.”
Her breath catches the tiniest amount, silent to all but those at the head of the table. “Yes, I suppose it does.” She sets her glass on the table. “You’re back.”
It’s not quite a question, but I answer it all the same. “With your blessing.”
“That’s not all you’ve come to ask my blessing about, though, is it?”
At this, I look at her and then at Isabelle to my right. They want to do this publicly? I don’t know why I’m surprised. Cordelia will want to lock us in, no matter what needs to happen to ensure that result. I study Isabelle. “Is this what you want?”
She nods, slowly. She, for one, doesn’t look unsure in the least, just quietly watchful. “If you two are okay with it.”
“Of course we’re okay with it.” Gaeton gives his cocky grin, though it’s a little strained around the edges. The only sign that this situation is stressing him the fuck out. He turns to Cordelia. “We want your sister. Both of us.”
Her brows rise a fraction of an inch. “She’s not an animal to be bartered.”
Oh, so it’s going to be like this? I give her the look that statement deserves. “That didn’t stop you from sending her to retrieve us, no matter the cost.”
She narrows her eyes. “Something you were only too happy to take advantage of. Don’t think I’ll be forgetting that anytime soon.”
“Cordelia.” Isabelle shakes her head. “This is what I want. It’s what they want. It’s what you want. Stop fighting for my honor when it was my choice to begin with.”
Cordelia grimaces. “I still don’t like it.”
“You don’t have to like it. You just have to give your blessing.”
She turns that glare on her sister, and her expression instantly transforms to a sickly sweet smile that isn’t the least bit sincere. “If karma exists, it’s going to take the form of a herd of daughters from these two men that will give you a head full of gr
ay hair.”
Isabelle gives a choked laugh. “I don’t know why you and Sienna are so obsessed with the idea of me having babies. You first, Cordie. You first.”
For a second, it looks like they might start tussling right here in the dining room. Muriel leans over and touches Cordelia’s shoulder and that is all it takes for her to get her game face back in place. She spares us a glance. “You have my blessing. Next time you decide to take a vacation, get permission first.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Gaeton rises easily to his feet and gives me a hand up. I don’t need it, but I like that he offered. I like it even more than he doesn’t drop the contact immediately. We turn to Isabelle as a unit.
Before I can say a single goddamn thing, one of our men bursts into the room. He checks his stride so he’s not quite running, but there’s no hiding how frazzled he looks. He hurries around the table and murmurs in Muriel’s ear. She leans down to whisper to Cordelia, and the woman’s face goes still. “She’s early. Yes, let her in. Give us a few minutes and we’ll meet her in my office.” She stands and gives a bright smile to the table. “If you’ll excuse us for a few moments. Duty calls.” She lowers her voice. “Sienna, Isabelle, bring your men.”
Isabelle rises and moves to us. She gives a tight smile. “Thank you.”
“You have nothing to thank us for.” Gaeton slips his free arm around her shoulders and gives her a squeeze. “Let’s go see where the fire is.”
We end up in Cordelia’s study. It’s not the same one Orsino used, and something inside me relaxes at that. I know I’ll be faced with memories of him, again and again, but this is a welcome reprieve. Or it would be if I knew what we’re walking into.
Cordelia sits on a chair that aspires to be a throne, Muriel in her customary place at her right shoulder. Sienna lounges on a fainting chair, her head on David’s thick thigh, reading a book on some kind of theoretical physics, as if we weren’t just about to sit down to dinner.
Gaeton and I exchange a look and he drops to sprawl on the empty couch to the other side of Cordelia’s chair, pulling Isabelle down to tuck against his side. If shit gets heavy, he’ll use his body as a shield to protect her. I move around to stand behind the couch, close to the metal lamp that can be used as a weapon in a pinch. I’d prefer guns, but we both knew better than to show up armed to this meeting.
We don’t have to wait long.
The same frazzled man from before enters the room and stands aside to hold the door. I’m not exactly surprised to see Ursa come through the door next, but I honestly expected her to wait longer to make her move. She’s got her hair piled in a crown on her head and she’s wearing golden gown that shimmers as she walks. She looks around the room. “Good, everyone is here.” A glance at the man. “You can leave.”
Cordelia arches a brow. “Don’t give my people orders, Ursa. It’s rude.” She sounds cold and perfectly in control, the nerves I glimpsed earlier nowhere in evidence.
“I’m sorry, darling.” Ursa laughs. “I’m so used to being in charge. I’m sure you understand.”
“All the same.”
“Hmmm, yes. Of course.” Her attention lands on Isabelle and then slowly moves to Gaeton before settling on me. “I see the three of you have made things official. Congratulations.”
I tense. This is no meeting of congratulations, not when we were teetering on the brink of war before the three of us got our shit together. Not when we’re still teetering on the brink of war. This isn’t my show, though. It’s Cordelia’s, and I have to keep my fucking mouth shut and let her run this.
With that in mind, I lean down and grip both Isabelle and Gaeton’s shoulders. I might have the control to stay silent, but if Gaeton lets her rile him, this will be all over.
Ursa clocks the move and her red lips curl. “Cute.”
“Ursa.” Cordelia doesn’t shift, doesn’t seem to so much as breathe. “I intended to save this for an official meeting, but since you’re here, now is as good a time as any.”
“You want me to cease and desist with our little border skirmish.”
Border skirmish?
The gall of this woman. I might be impressed if she wasn’t threatening the very people I care most about in this world.
“It’s a waste of time and resources. You must know you can’t win.”
Again, Ursa’s gaze glances on the three of us. “A woman can dream.” She flicks fingertips with nails as red as her lips. “Ah well, not every plan comes to fruition. I am willing to, as you put it, cease and desist. For a price.”
“Are you fucking kidding me?” I don’t realize I’ve spoken until Isabelle’s hand covers mine and she squeezes my wrist. Hard.
Cordelia flashes me a look and then refocuses on Ursa. “I’m listening.”
“I have business with Olympus, which is troubling because I’m no longer welcome within the city limits.” She shrugs. “I’m sure you understand.”
“Explain it to me.”
“There is a girl there, an unfortunate soul if you would like to put it that way, who is in desperate need of my assistance. I require her.”
Now it’s Isabelle’s turn to tense. “We are not going to kidnap some girl from Olympus for you.”
Cordelia looks like she wants to strangle her youngest sister, but manages to get herself under control before Ursa looks back at her. “We have no issue with Olympus, and I fully intend to keep it that way. What my sister says stands.”
“I’m not in the business of stealing princesses.” Her smile doesn’t dim in the slightest, as if we’ve amused her. “I simply need a message delivered. I can’t send my people for obvious reasons.”
“Then send a text. An email. A goddamn letter. I don’t see why you need my people to play messenger.”
Ursa sighs. “It needs to be in person. She’s under lock and key so the normal modes of contact won’t work.” She looks at Isabelle. “She will, however, take you as a visitor.”
“No.” Again, I don’t mean to speak.
Gaeton’s protest echoes mine. “Fuck that.”
Ursa ignores us both. “Orsino’s precious youngest daughter. You’ve been to Olympus before, little Isabelle. You’ve even spoken with this princess of sorts. No one would think to bar you from her.”
Isabelle leans forward a little. “Who is it?”
The Sea Witch’s dark eyes light up. “Zurielle Rosi.”
“Triton’s daughter?” Gaeton murmurs. “What the hell do you want with her?”
“That’s my business. I simply need a messenger girl.”
“No.” I shake my head. “Absolutely fucking not.” Going to Olympus is a special kind of dangerous, but I’ve never had the authority to tell Isabelle it was a bad idea, not when Orsino gave his blessing. Doing it for her own amusement is one thing. Doing what could potentially come down to an act of war? Fuck no.
Isabelle squeezes my wrist. “I deliver a message and there are no more ‘border skirmishes.’ You stay in your own territory and stop bothering with ours.”
Ursa’s grin widens. “Consider it a deal.”
“No,” I say again, but Isabelle isn’t listening to me.
“I want to know the full message before I agree to anything. And your promise that you won’t hurt the girl.”
Cordelia’s shaking her head. “You don’t have to agree. We can find another way.”
“You know better, Cordie.” Isabelle tenses like she wants to say more, but finally refocuses on Ursa. “The message.”
“Simple, really.” Ursa touches her hair almost absently. “Tell her that I know where her precious Alaric is, and that I am only too happy to assist her reuniting with him.” Her smile is far too satisfied for my peace of mind. “And I have no intention of doing anything to the girl that she doesn’t want. She’ll remain unharmed.”
I narrow my eyes, but Isabelle speaks before I have a chance to. “Deal.”
“I knew you were a smart girl.” Ursa looks around the room. “A pleasure doing busi
ness with you.” She turns and sweeps from the room.
And then all hell breaks loose.
Chapter 29
Isabelle
As soon as Ursa leaves, everyone in the room starts arguing. Sienna thinks this deal is a good idea. Cordelia doesn’t want to agree, but she’s in a crappy position of having to worry about me versus worry about the entire territory. Neither Gaeton nor Beast wants me anywhere near Olympus.
They especially don’t want me there when my sister rises to her feet and levels us with a look. “It’s decided. Izzy is going and she can take one of you as escort.” She holds up a hand before either of them can get a word out. “You just got back here. You can absolutely not leave again. I’ll allow you to pick which one will act as escort and which will stay behind.” She motions to Muriel, Sienna, and David. “We’ll let you discuss it amongst yourselves, but don’t take long. Dinner’s going to get cold.”
Gaeton is on his feet before the door shuts. “This is a shitty ass idea.”
Beast moves around the couch to glare down at me. “You shouldn’t have agreed.”
I feel a little silly sitting here while they glower down at me, so I join them on my feet. “There wasn’t another option.”
“You keep saying that, but you didn’t give us a chance to find another option.”
They’re right and they’re wrong, all at the same time. All afternoon, in between worrying about whether or not they’d show up for dinner, I listened as Sienna lounged on my bed and posited scenarios to get us out of this conflict with Ursa. Eighty percent of those scenarios ended in a conflict that could cause the death of one or both of the men I love. I won’t let us get to that point, not if there’s another option.
“I just found you two again. I don’t want to lose you.”
Gaeton takes my hands. “And what the fuck do you think is going to happen if Triton figures out you’re delivering a message to his favorite daughter from the fucking Sea Witch?”
Nothing good. Those two have a long history, and I want no part of their war, either. “I know Zuri. Or at least I’ve met her before. No one will have any reason to suspect me.”