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Zane felt the presence with him in the pool room before he surfaced, but the dash of anticipation withered as soon as he reached the end and came up.

Maybe Pavel was too good at sticking to the rules because it wasn’t him who greeted Zane.

Lyra was seated in one of the lounge chairs nearby, legs crossed, chin propped on her left hand. She smiled when he caught her eye, a familiar expression, easygoing and lax. There was nothing sexual about that smile, nothing that would make it seem like she was after anything other than companionship.

And yet…

Slowly, Zane lifted himself out of the pool, ignoring the steps. He shook off a bit, knowing that she liked to see him like this, with his muscles taut from the workout, water dripping down his bare skin. He gave her time to look her fill, making it seem like he was merely pushing water out of his hair and off his body before he headed toward the small table next to her where he’d left his things.

“Good evening,” he greeted, reaching for the thick towel. The pool room was heated, so there was no rush to use it, but he dabbed at himself nonetheless.

It’d been a very long time since they’d played this game, and he was admittedly out of sorts about it. It felt like he’d finally gotten a breather away from Pavel, only for Lyra to suddenly renew her once dwindling interest.

Had she ended things with her other lover? Good Light, he hoped not.

Or could this impromptu visit be about Pavel and the task she’d assigned Zane? He didn’t want to talk about the other Retinue member, especially not with her.

His mind wandered to earlier today at the university when he’d watched Pavel and Ledger interacting. The two of them had laughed and seemingly negged each other all through lunch. The way they were with one another was comfortable—real comfort too, none of this fake pleasantry that was expressed between Zane and Lyra.

Watching them, seeing the way Pavel had welcomed Ledger’s boyfriend Nikita so openly…He could admit it. Zane had been envious. His brother barely accepted him, let alone any of his lovers. Hell, the only reason Aodhan tolerated Lyra was because she was the Imperial Heir and her position made her useful.

Without that, there was a very good chance Aodhan would have lost control over his urges and done something to jeopardize them all by now. He’d never cared about keeping the Solace name out of the papers. If getting caught didn’t mean immediate incarceration and almost definitely the death penalty, Aodhan wouldn’t even bother being careful about his actions.

Adopting Zane had been necessary for their parents in more ways than one, and while that used to be enough for him, used to curb the appetite he had for being wanted, he found it no longer was.

He wasn’t satisfied.

That was…dangerous.

“Zane.” Lyra’s hand rested on the rise of his left hipbone, drawing his attention back to her. “Is everything all right? You’ve seemed distracted lately.”

“I’m fine.” It took all his willpower not to pull away from her touch, which was…interesting.

He’d never really liked her, of course, but there’d been an attraction there that had at least made hooking up easy. Whoring himself out had never been the problem, it’d been knowing that it wouldn’t matter how many times he made her come, she would never choose him as anything more than her fuck toy.

Not that Zane had any delusions of grandeur. He didn’t want a fancy title, certainly didn’t dream of becoming a legitimate part of the Imperial family through marriage or anything like that, but he’d be lying if he said it hadn’t hurt, especially when he’d been younger and more na?ve.

He’d always held some level of Lyra’s attention, since the moment he was presented to her brother on Kelevra’s eighteenth birthday. She’d openly stared at him with desire, and he’d dutifully pretended not to notice.

Kazimir had gotten to him first, and though he’d fought at the time, Zane had grown fond of their time together rather quickly.

Which was why it’d been such a betrayal when suddenly Lyra was brought into their mix. It hadn’t taken long to realize she’d lied to Kaz, convinced him the two of them were already fucking on the side even though that hadn’t been true. Because of her position, Zane hadn’t been able to correct her either. He couldn’t even complain, really, because what she’d done wasn’t any worse or better than what any of the Devils had.

It certainly wasn’t worse than what Pavel had done to him.

So why was he wishing it was the other Retinue member who was here with him, touching him instead of her?

She could at least get him somewhere in life. There was an exchange between them every time they got intimate. Lyra could help him achieve his goals, make him important by ensuring he became the Royal Doctor.

What could Pavel give him that she couldn’t?

What could Pavel give him at all?

“There.” Lyra pursed her lips, brow furrowing slightly. “You’re distracted again. What are you thinking about so hard, hmm?”

“It’s really nothing.” He cleared his throat and glanced around at the empty room. “Where is Ansel?” She’d replaced Samuel within a couple of days and hadn’t mentioned him since that first night.

Though it helped that the man she’d hired to fill his position was none other than her current lover.

“We had an argument,” she pouted, her fingers tracing circles against Zane’s skin. “He stormed off and won’t answer my calls. You’ve never treated me this way, Zane. You’ve always been so good at navigating my moods.”

She might not have the same afflictions as her brother, but Lyra wasn’t exactly…normal. No one who’d grown up with a diamond spoon in their mouth, who could have anything they wanted, including people, at the flick of their wrist, could ever hope to grow up common. Lyra wasn’t like her subjects.

She didn’t just expect things to go her way, for everyone to bend over backward to make her happy, in her mind, there truly wasn’t any other outcome. It was like trying to tell a person they might wake up one day with blue eyes instead of brown. Impossible and confusing.

In many ways, she was childish because of that.

“If he isn’t a good fit in the position, fire him,” Zane suggested, knowing she wouldn’t like hearing it. “Keep him as your lover. Things seemed to be going well for the two of you then. Why mess with a good thing?”

“Is that really what you think?” She tipped her head, fingers dancing higher, skating up his side before sweeping over to the center of his chest. She traced the straight line down between his pecs to his navel. “Don’t you think I might have made a mistake by taking him at all?”

“No.” Zane caught her wrist, careful to keep his hold gentle and his expression light. “You’re very happy with him, don’t you remember telling me as much?”

“Aren’t you upset about that, even a little?”

“Do you need me to be?”

The corner of her mouth tipped upward. “You’re the only person who isn’t afraid to tell me what you think. Aside from my brother and sister, of course. It’s refreshing. I know I don’t always appreciate you the way that I should. I’m remorseful for that, I promise.”

I.

I.

I.

All she ever did was talk about herself and expect him to roll over and kiss her feet for how generous she was.

He often wondered if she knew he could see through her. If she knew that he merely played along. If he had to guess, the answer would be yes.

She was twisted like that.

“Lyra,” he sighed, forcing the sound to come out exhausted and edged with hurt, “you basically broke up with me, remember? You told me he was better suited and you no longer wanted to be with me. Our sexual relationship ended, and you’re the one who ended it.”

“Well, what if I realize I made a mistake?” She stood, standing far too close for comfort, her head tipped almost all the way back so she could keep their eyes locked. “What if I told you I’ve finally figured out what I really want?”

“You don’t want me.” This time, his sigh was a little less forced.

“You don’t know that.”

“Lyra.” His grip tightened ever so slightly. “If you need to use me to make him jealous, that’s fine. But he isn’t here. This is a waste—”

“No it isn’t,” she interrupted, and something else flitted across her features, there and gone in a flash, like she didn’t want him to see it.

A feeling of unease began to creep up his spine and Zane held his ground. “What do you mean?”

“He doesn’t have to be here for me to make him jealous,” she said. “All I have to do is make sure the cameras are turned on.”

“The…” Zane didn’t want to look when she motioned into the corner of the room with her chin, but his head started to turn as if of its own accord. Sure enough, now that he knew what to look for, the tiny black circle set into the corner of the room, just beneath the intricate mural on the ceiling, was obvious. “How…How long have those been there?”

“I had them installed when you were twenty,” she explained. “You were spending so much time in here, it helped me feel close to you. Why?” Her hand flattened against his stomach. “There couldn’t be something you’re trying to keep hidden from me, right, Zanie?”

She knew.

She’d seen it.

Lyra must have watched Pavel and him that night the other member had surprised him.

She captured his chin and forced his head to the side in her first display of roughness that night, scowling at the spot behind his ear that had already healed over weeks ago. “You’re still wearing his tag. Why haven’t you cut it out?”

The reasoning he’d given Pavel wasn’t going to work here, so Zane remained silent.

“Watching the way you let him handle you was…” she let her sentence trail off, shoving at his throat so he stumbled back a step. “I got off to it. I must have played that video three dozen times by now.”

Zane didn’t like where this was going. “Pavel isn’t interested in a threesome. Perhaps—”

“Would he let me watch while he fucks you? The same way Kazimir did?” She searched his face and must have found an answer. “He wouldn’t? Is he really that possessive of you already? More possessive of you than I am?”

“Lyra.” There had to be something in the air, that was the only explanation for why everyone was acting crazy around him.

“Should I ask baby brother if he’ll give you to me, officially?”

“What?” He had to have misheard her.

“Technically, you’re his,” she continued. “But if he gifted you to me, those bonds would be broken. You wouldn’t have to waste any more time following him around. I’d remove you from the Retinue and position you permanently at my side.”

Absolutely not.

The Retinue was the one place Zane felt like he belonged. The one place he was truly needed. As Kelevra’s third in charge, he had a power and purpose most others would never be able to dream of. He had a duty, and that meant he couldn’t be tossed aside or abandoned.

“You’re right about Ansel. He’s not what I’d hoped for. He’s not cut out for this job. I have to be his Imperial Heir first, but he seems to forget that and treats me like a girlfriend he can give the silent treatment. You’ve never done anything like that, Zane. You’ve always been perfect. I didn’t see it before, but as soon as I saw that video—”

“Stop.” Zane removed her hand and took a step back. “Lyra, you can’t just remove me from the Retinue.”

“I can if my brother hands ownership of you over to me.”

While it was true he’d technically been a gift, Kelevra had never treated Zane that way. He wasn’t an object in the prince’s eyes, but the fact that he was one in hers…Any fondness he may have formed for her over the years vanished in a puff of smoke.

“That isn’t going to happen,” he stated.

“Do you think Kelevra wants you that badly as well? As badly as I do?”

“This isn’t about want, Lyra. You’re confused and upset because of Ansel, that’s all this is. Why don’t I go find him for you and bring him back—”

“You can’t,” she said plainly. “He’s dead.”

Zane frowned, waiting for her to explain.

“I wanted to play with him the way Pavel played with you,” she admitted. “But he couldn’t hold his breath as long. It was an unfortunate accident.”

“Are you telling me you drowned your boyfriend?” Zane turned and glanced at the pool.

“Not here,” she reassured. “It was in the bathtub. I couldn’t carry the weights down to this level of the palace, so we did it there. I cut him as well, but it must have been too deep.”

Zane went cold. “You killed him on purpose.”

“I said it was an accident.”

“You’ve had training with weapons, Lyra. You know how deep is too deep.” He’d seen her lose interest in people before, but this was particularly cruel, even for her. “What did you do with the body? Was it cleaned up? Do you need me—”

She threw herself at him, wrapping her arms tightly around his waist, and rested her chin against his chest. “I knew you cared.”

“I’m duty-bound,” he reminded, losing his patience with her. “Tell me you took care of it, Lyra.”

“Of course. There’s nothing left for anyone to find even if they do come looking. Aodhan helped me with that.”

“What?” He pulled away from her a second time. “You involved my brother?”

“What’s the point in knowing someone like him and not utilizing him?” she asked. “You should be pleased. I gave him a warm body to carve up. That should help curb his appetite for a little while, don’t you think? He’s back on Emergence now, but he’ll be returning for a conference in a couple of weeks. We should get together and have dinner. I’ll invite Kel and ask him there.”

“Lyra, please, stop.” He tried to mask the panic that was bubbling within him, trying to keep his cool. If she sensed his nerves, she’d use them against him, like a shark smelling blood in the water.

Which was ironic, now that he knew how her past lover had gone out.

“Why would you kill Ansel?” Maybe if he could distract her, he could avoid this conversation long enough to separate and head to Kelevra first. If he explained things to the prince, Zane was almost certain Kel would take his side.

Almost.

Shit.

There was always Rin though, right? Rin had told him he’d be there. Maybe he could ask him to vouch for him with Kelevra if it came to that.

“You could have simply ended things with him,” he said. “He didn’t have to die.”

“No one ever has to die, Zane.” She shrugged. “I told you. It wasn’t entirely on purpose. I wanted to see if he could reenact what Pavel did with you, but he couldn’t.”

“You know I can hold my breath longer than the average Vital.”

“Can you?” She hummed. “It must have slipped my mind.”

“You really liked him. You said—”

“I was wrong. Gods, Zane. You’re starting to sound like my sister, chiding me. This is because of him, isn’t it? Because of the Hart boy.”

“We’re the same age, Lyra.” Both were younger than her, sure, but hardly boys. “This has nothing to do with him. This is about you and me. We’re not a match. We’ve had fun together, sure, but that doesn’t mean—”

“We’re a match if I say we are.”

He blew out a breath. “It’s not like you’re going to take me as your Royal Consort, so can we please just drop—”

“Should I?” Her words were spoken softly, more to herself than him. “I’ve never considered it before but…If our baby brother can choose anyone off the streets as his life mate, why can’t I choose a Royal as mine?”

“No.” Zane’s reaction was swift and visceral. This was not a part of the plan. Becoming her Royal Consort would not make him important or an integral part of the planet's workings the same way becoming the Royal Doctor would. The benefit would be she could never get rid of him, because they were only ever allowed to take one Royal Consort, but still.

Zane did not want a life in which his life partner got bored of him and he was ultimately treated no better than the furniture, and that’s what would happen with Lyra. The only reason her interest in him had been renewed was thanks to Pavel. She didn’t like Zane. She just disliked the idea of him ending up with someone else.

“Lyra, the school year is only halfway through and it’s an important time. Can we discuss this later?” Like when she no longer had an interest and the novelty of the idea of claiming him had worn off. Telling her outright that he didn’t want her wouldn’t work, if anything, it’d only make her cling to him harder. He knew what she was like. He couldn’t risk it. “I’m under a lot of pressure right now.”

“If you were my Royal Consort you wouldn’t have to be,” she said. “You could drop out and—”

“Why would I do that?”

“Because you would no longer need to be the Royal Doctor.” She looked at him like he was stupid.

Having his other fear confirmed—that she would also make him quit med school so he could do nothing but stay home and service her—had bile rising in the back of his throat. How the hell had they gotten here?

Fucking Pavel.

This was all his fault.

“Kelevra wants me in this position,” he reminded, frantically searching for anything he could lob at her to get her to either change her mind or give him time to come up with another solution. “He personally selected me for it.”

Lyra considered this and then nodded. “That’s true. I can never deny him anything. I suppose it wouldn’t hurt for you to go through with it.”

Did he want to thank her or strangle her? Probably the latter. But Kel loved his sister, and even if there weren’t literal cameras filming them, he’d never get away with murdering the Imperial Heir.

He’d considered it before, after all, and had come to the same conclusion. That was why he’d spent so many years living in the Little Palace, humoring her.

“I’m going to spend the next week or so at the dorms,” he announced. “I think we could both benefit from some space right now. You’re grieving the loss of Ansel and not thinking clearly, that’s all this is.”

She couldn’t give two shits about her dead lover and they both knew it, but he was counting on the fact they’d been playing this game long enough that leaning into it would be second nature.

“If you need peace of mind, how about I give you until the end of the semester to come to terms with it? Hmm? That seems generous.” She reached up and traced the curve of his jaw with a small smile.

Come to terms, not choose. She’d already decided for him and was trying to make that clear.

“You had years to realize you wanted to keep me,” he reminded, tone souring before he could help it. “You didn’t mind when I was with Kazimir.”

“Pavel isn’t Kazimir.”

“In what way?” Besides the obvious, of course.

“That’s simple.” She patted his bare chest once. “You’ve never looked at Kazimir the way you looked at Pavel in that video.”