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Valerie had been worried about what she would do if she came across Geryon. She realised a situation had presented itself, one that could work in her favour.I must remove him from the picture.

She let her fingertips trail over his knuckles tenderly as she gave him a smile – one that was genuine simply because she’d figured out a way to potentially escape safely.

“I never said I planned to spend the night in his bed,” she told him. When his frowned deepened, she cupped her hand over his. “It is unfortunate, but I will have to inform him that the reason I have not come to his chambers while the other ladies have is because I have my blood.”

“But you do not have your–” Geryon grinned. “Once again, you are rather clever.”

Valerie stepped down a step to be closer, knowing no one would be able to see them behind the curve. She caught the surprise on his face when she pressed against him.

“I do not plan to stay in his chambers, but perhaps I will not be spending the night alone in my own.” She looked around like she wanted to appear mischievous. “I have already sent Lady Victoria to her own suite. I will attempt to get myself out of this, Lord Geryon, but you should know not all men are as considerate as you. If you wait for me in my chambers and I have not returned to them in an hour, you are welcome to hate me until your heart is content, but know this is not what I wanted.”

He gave her a crinkle of his nose, even a dissatisfied huff, but he nodded like he understood.I have given myself an hour of freedom within the palace.

Valerie had an hour to find where her sister was and then flee.

She turned away and climbed the stairs. She didn’t look back; she didn’t think she could bear to.

I do not wish to hurt him.That piece of her heart she’d given him was still lost, no matter what he was. Valerie may fear him now, but she didn’t hate him.

When she made it to Bradwick’s chamber door, she knocked on it softly. She wondered if he purposely had no guard posted.

“Enter,” he commanded, and she opened the door to let herself in. “Lady Cecily,” he grinned, laying against his bed like he’d been waiting for her.

“Your Highness.” She bowed her head in greeting. “You asked for me?”

“I was hoping I could convince you to spend the evening with me, since you are the only one who has yet to do so.” He wanted to try her on before he decided which woman he would pick. The idea made her internally cringe.

Valerie approached, and he sat on the edge of the bed, preparing to stand.I do this for my sister. I do this for Kaeylyn.

She pushed on his shoulders to force him to lie back and crawled on top of him. She brought her lips over his to kiss him deeply. There was a grunt of surprise before he lifted his hand to press it into the back of her head to bring them closer. He responded, kissing her back with warmth and passion that did nothing to light her body.

Valerie closed her eyes as she began to unbutton his coat, allowing him to lick the inside of her mouth and trying to match him as best as she could. He lifted his arms to help her remove it, their mouths only separating for a moment.

Bradwick pulled on the ties of her dress to loosen it, and she immediately felt his palm against her breast through her shift. She tried not to cringe when he pressed his hips against hers, forcing her to feel his hardening shaft. She ground into it, causing a small groan to fall from his lips.

Slowly, sensually, she began to lift his tunic.

Their mouths separated when she pulled it over his head, revealing his lean but slightly muscled torso. She pushed it up his biceps slowly as she leaned back in to kiss his welcoming mouth.

Then, she let it go so she could run her hands over the material to grab his wrists, like she was intending to grab his hands to lovingly hold them.

With both his arms above his head, she broke from the kiss to quickly reach up and tie his wrists together with the sleeves of his own tunic.

He tugged on them, but she’d already knotted them before he noticed what was happening. “What is the meaning of this?”

Bradwick tried to sit up as he attempted to free himself, but to no avail. In the time it took him to sit up with her still straddling his waist, Valerie unsheathed her dagger from the layers of her dress. She pointed the tip of it against his jugular, and his head turned up to avoid the sharpness cutting into him.

Anger was clear in his features. “What the fuck do you think you are doing, Lady Cecily?”

Ego me dimittere vinculum Ceciliae Dyèrie.Valerie felt a swirl of magic release as she chanted the words that would no longer tie her to the real Cecily.

Valerie released her witchcraft.

Spiritus ignis.A ball of fire came to life above the palm of her hand, and it felt wonderful to finally have her magic coursing freely again.

She briefly closed her eyes in relief, stifling the urge to moan in bliss.

When she opened them again to stare down at Bradwick, his eyes were wide at her show of magic. She pressed the tip of her dagger more firmly against his throat, forcing him to lie back down.