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I go still. This is also odd. My father and Gabriel are actively plotting against the interpreter of our laws. Punishing them—even executing them—might cause a stir, but he’d be completely within his rights to do it.

I inhale a deep breath. I can’t worry about what he’s scheming. I’ll deal with whatever it is when it comes. For now, Ava is mine. Well and truly mine.

All that’s left is to bind her irrevocably to me.

“Marrying your virgin sacrifice will be met with a great deal of opposition, Damian.”

I nod. “I’m prepared for it.”

“Especially from Gabriel Wolfe. He embraces traditional values. He won’t like this, and you’ve not ascended yet. He may become a problem for you during your reign as prior.”

I smile. “Let him. I enjoy watching arrogant men dig their own graves.”

The Sacred Light laughs. It’s a faint sound, strangely distorted by the modulator. I’ve heard it before. Years ago.

This sound would have usually made my chest ache with a flicker of the old longing. The childhood need for love and protection.

Not anymore. My whole world is Ava now.

And I’m going to become her world too.

The thought buoys me on my blindfolded plane ride home. If I make her think getting her pregnant keeps me safe, she’ll agree. Her loyalty is one of the things I admire most about her. And it’s the easiest to exploit.

Fuck. I don’t like that thought, do I? Have I grown a conscience?

Maybe when it comes to her alone.

I can atone for it moving forward. No more manipulation.

After this.

By the time I arrive at Thornecroft, dusk is creeping in, painting the sky in lavender and gold. I stride into the main hall and make my way toward the east wing. She’ll be in the library at this time.

Before I make it to the staircase, someone steps into my path.

Rhett.

I halt, every muscle in my body tightening with irritation. “What do you want?”

He crosses his arms. “I’ve been waiting for you to get back. We need to talk.”

“You don’t summon me, Rhett. You wait.”

He doesn’t move out of my way. “It’s about Ava.”

Of course it is. My patience thins to a razor’s edge. “What is it?”

His jaw ticks. “You promised me I’d be part of the inner circle when…whatever purpose you need her for is over. Well, I don’t want it anymore. Instead…” He gulps. “I want to get Ava out of Thornecroft. I’d like you to let us both drop out.”

I laugh caustically. This dumb fuck must be desperate. He should know better than to bargain with me.

“No,” I say, and his face falls. “Ava won’t be going anywhere. But you’re done. I don’t want to see you within these walls ever again.”

He inhales a deep, shaky breath. “I thought that might be the case.” His voice is surprisingly steady. He must have rehearsed this conversation. “At the very least, I want assurance from you. You said from the beginning that once you’re done with Ava—for whatever you need her for—you’ll let her go.”

I scoff. “I’ve changed my mind. I’m keeping her. Forever.”

Rhett flinches as if I struck him.