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“Yeah, I guess so. Okay, thanks.”

He let her feet go and she retracted them to give him more space, so he could lean forward and remove the bottle, opening it with a pop before pouring her a flute and handing it over, then doing the same for himself.

“Why are you helping me?”

“What do you mean?”

“With the Moricosia thing.”

“Did I help you?”

She felt heat bloom in her face.

“I mean, your suggestion to insist on a meeting with King Ares himself isn’t totally awful…”

He grinned. “I’m flattered.”

“And I’m serious. Why would you give me advice?”

“Because you’re stuck.”

She pulled her lips to the side. “But surely in this, we’re enemies? I mean, don’t tell me a part of you wouldn’t love me to fail.”

“I don’t want you to fail,” he contradicted, but so quickly she knew it was sincere. “Though I can’t say the same for anyone else in my family.”

There it was again. The sawdust. The reminder that what they were doing would make everyone in their respective families furious. The certainty that this had to remain absolutely and utterly their secret. That for all he might not hate her, his family did, and they were the most important people in his life. As her family was to Emilia.

“You don’t think…”

He sipped his drink, eyes locked to hers. “What?”

“That they could have anything to do with this?” She forced herself to finish the sentence, even when it was unpalatable.

“No,cara.They might dance on your grave if you fail, but they wouldn’t dig it.”

She nodded, feeling no sense of relief. Feeling nothing but confusion.

“What’s wrong?”

She smiled at that. “Am I that easy to read?”

“I’ve learned to read you.”

A shiver ran down her spine, because she didn’t doubt that to be true. She felt the same way about him.

“I don’t like what we’re doing.”

“Oh?” He placed his glass down and reached for her feet. “I haven’t heard you complaining.”

She shook her head. “I don’t mean that. That…I like very much.”

His grin showed that had never been in doubt.

“I mean to our families.”

“Are our families involved in this?”

“Peripherally, yes.”