Page 79 of Hidden

Julian cut in, answering my unspoken question. “No, we don’t know everything about that side of your power.”

“Xavier does. He’s Unseelie, and his moral compass is set differently,” Damen continued. “Because of his position—and the fact that he’s in a different court—he’s able to get away with things that Bryce and Brayden aren’t.”

“Like what?” I was not liking the direction of this conversation. But if there was depravity going on, it needed to stop. “What things?”

“Dark magic…” Damen began, his voice trailing off as he glanced at the others. I suspected he might have been plotting to not tell me. But then he sighed. “He’s a sadist, Bianca. They use their powers in questionable ways.”

A sadist? I knew what the word meant, but… “You mean he…”

“Fae are sexual creatures, and the Unseelie court is riddled with perversion. It’s a male dominated culture.” Damen’s words made my pulse race in my ears. “Without a Xing to stop them, it’s gotten out of control. One day, you’ll be expected to bring order to the two courts. But as it is right now, do you really think you’re ready to handle something like that?”

My throat closed. “But he called me Mistress. He was really nice.”

“You’re his better, and he knows it,” Julian interjected. “Xavier wants to keep his position, so he will defer to you. But, honestly, is that something you think you can handle?”

“She’s going to have to handle it one day.” Miles spoke, his voice close behind me. “And she can’t avoid Xavier forever, he’s her third.”

“She doesn’t have to avoid him,” Julian said, glancing over his shoulder. “He’s not the concern. But he’ll have to be warned to avoid the courts.”

“That’s what they were arguing about,” Titus interjected, nodding toward the door. “Xavier wants to take Bianca on a tour posed as a nymph.”

Julian’s hand jerked. “Has helosthis mind? What did Bryce say?”

“Bryce said he would rip out his heart first,” Titus answered, shrugging. “And I offered to help. Xavier understands, but still insists she visit soon.”

“I’m not so certain about that,” Julian replied. “But knowing him, he’ll try to manipulate Bianca into going along with it. A nymph is the ‘safest’ disguise, considering. But still”—his focus had returned to me—“don’t let him trick you into it.”

I bit my lip. Their reaction didn’t bode well for this plan. “What is it?”

Julian flinched slightly but answered regardless. “A nymph is a sexual slave shared among high-ranking officials. Being with Xavier would make you untouchable by most people, but I still don’t trust it.”

Just the implication of his words made me nauseated. “Oh…”

I looked away. I could feel their eyes on me. They wanted to ask me something, and I had a suspicion of what it might be.

“T-t-that’s probably not a good idea.”

The silence that followed was heavy—almost as if no one knew how to break the mood. But then Miles, thankfully, changed the topic.

“You’ll need to take some medicine and have a shower.” He tugged a lock of my hair.

I tried to look at him, but it was impossible. I was sitting in Julian’s lap.

But was he implying that I smelled?

“Miles has a point.” Damen stepped back, glancing at Titus. “And we have plans to make.”

Damen crossed to the door, then paused, turning back to me.

“This is your room.” He waved his hand in the air. “Julian and mine are on either side, and Titus and Miles are one level above us. You have your own bathroom through that door.” He pointed at a doorway off to the side. “We can decorate however you’d like, but just don’t—”

“Change the bathroom,” I finished.

Yes, I remembered. Damen had a freaky antique fetish and integrity was important, or something. I didn’t even know with him anymore. But honestly, none of this hard work was going to pay off unless he renovated the exterior of the house.

His gaze narrowed on mine. “How do you know that?”

I resisted the urge to look at Miles. From Damen’s reaction, I suspected this might be a sensitive topic. “I know everything.”