“Niyah is the reason we were captured. Her betrayal wasn’t because she was in league with Drakon,” I say, treading lightly. Bastien turns away. “She was jealous… of me. She thought if she handed me over to Drakon, he would let Bastien go.”
Eamon frowns. He tilts his head for a moment, thinking. I see the light of understanding brighten as he looks between us. A scowl settles onto his face. “Breaking hearts wherever you go, huh, Bastien?”
He is on his feet and in Eamon’s face before I can even react. I dive between them, pressing my hands on both of their chests but make little effect. “This isn’t the time, guys.” I push, my arms trembling as they lean in toward each other, going toe to toe. “Don’t make me force you,” I grunt, sending tiny shocks through my hands to get their attention.
Bastien backs away first, but not because he wants to. I shove him back toward his room. Finally, he breaks off his staring match with Eamon to look down at me. “I need to talk to him… alone.”
His jaw clenches and for a moment I think he might protest. Instead, he dips his head in agreement, but not before tossing out a final threat. “If anything happens to her while I’m gone, I’ll hold you personally responsible.”
He leans forward and presses a kiss to my temple. “I’ll see if I can track down some food for you. I’m sure you’re hungry.”
“Thanks,” I reply awkwardly as he squeezes my shoulder and lets himself out. I wait to hear the security code keyed in from the opposite side of the door before I turn on Eamon. “Why do you two always have to be at each other’s throats?”
Eamon shrugs and sinks down into a chair. He looks tired. No, he looks exhausted. “He gets under my skin.”
I step into the light to close the door to Bastien’s room a bit more, and I hear Eamon gasp. “What are you wearing?”
I look down and groan, realizing I’m still wearing my darn dress. Crossing my arms over my chest, I turn and face him. “Don’t ask. This was not my idea.”
“You, uh… you do know that dress is see-through, right?”
“Oh my gosh! Really? You think I haven’t noticed that already?”
“Sorry.” He rises slowly from his chair and approaches. His steps are slow, measured. “I guess this has been really uncomfortable for you.”
“Uncomfortable?” I can hear the pitch of my voice rising as he stops before me. My back is to the light so I know he can only see the outline of my body, but I feel so exposed before him. First Bastien and now Eamon. Is there no ounce of privacy left for me? “I’ve had complete strangers eyeing me up since I got here, and Aloysius…” I shudder, not wanting to go there.
Eamon reaches out and grabs hold of my arms. “Has he hurt you?”
“No,” I mutter. “He’s been… kind.”
“Kind?” He draws me near. “How kind?”
“Don’t worry. So far he’s focused all of his attention above the waist.”
Eamon’s hands grip me so hard I cry out, not from pain, but from surprise. “Bastien let him do that to you?”
I pull out of his grasp. “He didn’t let anything happen. He’s just as much a victim here as I am. Even if he were there watching, he wouldn’t be able to do anything to stop it.” I shudder at the thought, thankful that any private moments I’ve shared with Aloysius have been just that: private. I couldn’t bear for Bastien to be forced to watch.
Eamon begins to pace before me, no doubt angered by the fact that Bastien is the one here with me instead of him. Almost as if on cue, he turns and I see that his scowl has returned as I shift away from the light. “I bet Bastien’s been loving this outfit.”
A smack rings out in the silence of the room. My palm stings as I draw my hand back from his face. “Bastien has been a gentleman. I expect you to be the same.”
He looks hurt as he stumbles back. A myriad of emotions play across his face, finally settling on guilt. “I’m sorry.” He backs away, burying his head in his hands. “That was uncalled for. I know that he… that you would never do that. It’s just been a really long few days.”
A slew of snide remarks flit through my mind, but I bite my tongue down on every one of them, remembering how just yesterday I’d wished for one more chance to speak to him and here I am picking a fight.
“We need to talk.” As Eamon sinks back into his chair and I return to the bed, I lay out all of the details of the events leading up to now, being sure to edit a few of the details for my time spent with Aloysius. I don’t want to dwell on that any more than I have to.