Page 24 of Antiletum

“If you don’t like what I’m saying, Delaney, why don’t you come pry these panties from my hand, shove them in my mouth, andmakeme stop?”

More fire rushes to my face. Among other places.

Irefuseto play into… whatever this is. Spouse or no.

“You really thought I would be so defiant tonight. That I wouldn’t wear our colors. Our sigil.”

A slow, dark brow arches up his forehead. “Can you blame me?”

Loath to admit he’s right, surely I haven’t exactly inspired confidence in my husband with my blatant refusal to wear said color and symbol at any point. More prideful portions of myself refuse to speak my internal agreement aloud.

“That was different, Valledyn.” A little twitch in his eye accompanies the sound of his full name. That’s twice now. Noted—I can get to him as well. “The manor was a much more relaxed atmosphere, with very few people around. People I thought I could consider friends and wouldn’t fuss over such formalities. Especially given how unexpected everything has been.” My tone is quiet, and I am proud of the vehemence behind them.

I can do this. I can be the face of this faction.

A small curve turns those full lips down. “Of course everyone who was at the manor is your friend.” It shouldn’t be so satisfying watching his confidence slip, be so doubtful of his own arguments. “But not everyone here is.”

Val wipes away his unsurety, placing the underwear he chose for me in his pocket with a smirk. Probably right up next to whatever item he keeps hidden in there as some form of anchor.

My heart pounces into my throat. “Aren’t you going to give those back?”

With a small shake of his head, sunlight catching his trio of black earrings, Val says airily, “No. I don’t think I will.”

“Thanks to you, it’s the only pair I have.”

“Maybe next time don’t throw them at me then.”

Perhaps throwing them at him was a bad idea. Unless I can hunt down more, it looks like I’ll be going bare under my dress tonight.

“I was just about to come for you.” Val nods at the spread of food before him. Still wafting steam. “Sit.”

I scoff at the entitlement. “I’m not eating with you.”

“Yes, you are.”

“No, I am not!”

Val stands quickly, coming to tower over me. Pitch black eyes stare down with fire. “You can sit of your own accord”—he indicates his head towards my seat—“or I will physically place you in that fucking chair myself.”

We glower at each other with challenge, neither of us moving.

“Don’t think I won’t, Delaney.” That quiet menace almost sounds like he’d be overjoyed for me to resist.

“Why does it mean so much to you? For us to have breakfast together?” The question flies from my mouth involuntarily. “I didn’teven see you the whole journey here from Greystone. I thought you’d changed your mind.”

I struggle to fight a wince, setting my jaw instead, having not meant to say that out loud. To show him my ridiculous offense. Wholly unwarranted.

Deos, I really am being unfair. It’s beyond time for me to decide where I stand with my husband. If I should continue being wary, or if I should take the bits of truth he offered me so willingly and let him in. Learn more. Let it be enough.

This is the first time I’ve seen Val since arriving in Omnitas late yesterday morning. To The Citadel, perched on a hill overlooking the city like a massive bird of prey. Beautiful, yet terrifying. Like it might swallow you whole.

Fitting. Especially with the stone parliament of owls sitting on the roof. The live parliaments that hoot and screech and fly laps around us at night.

Due to his scarcity, I half expected Val to not even be in his chambers when I came barging in.

Taking advantage of his surprised silence, I add, “You really don’t seem like you like me.”

That snaps him back to focus. “I don’t like seeing you needlessly hurt yourself. Not only do I very muchlikeyou, Delaney, I love you more than anything that exists in this world.”