Page 61 of Wicked Salvation

The words taste bitter in my mouth.

Eden—my future wife—wandering into the arms of that bastard at Vivienne’s grave. While I’m here, making arrangements for her in the future she clearly doesn’t deserve. Though she never admitted it, Iknowhe touched her.

If it wasn’t for The Spirit.

If it wasn’t for the future of the Peregrine-Ashford name.

“She’s cheating on you,” Anastazya blurts out.

My eyes snap back to her. “What did you say?”

Her breath is shaky. “She’s cheating on you. Why else would she act this way, Lord Silas? She’s been different ever since you came back from the trip into town.” She raises her voice, her cheeks flushing with what I assume to be angry. “She’s ungrateful.”

Silence.

I step closer, letting the silence stretch long enough for her to choke on. Anastazya’s pupils are blown wide, watching my every move. I slip my hands into my pockets, meeting her gaze with one as cold as ice.

“I asked you to provide me with facts. Not assumptions.”

She nods too quickly. “I can. I will. Just—tell me what’s going on withus. I deserve to know, don’t I? I’ve done everything you’ve asked.”

There it is again.

That neediness.

Thatdesperate,pathetic yearning.

She reaches for me, fingers grazing the sleeve of my jacket. I let her touch me, if only even to calm herself. I’ve fed Anastazya lie after lie to get us here. What’s one more?

“Everything is fine with us.”

Her eyes gleam with hope. “You’ll give me her ring?”

As if I’d ever.

“Yes,” I say. “I’ll give you whatever you want.” I press a kiss to her cheek. “Now leave.”

When Anastazya’s footsteps disappear, I sit on the pew, fingers tented beneath my chin. I think of how Eden was once like her. Her hands used to shake when she touched me, a simple kiss would leave her out of breath.

How I could change her mind with a simple word.

She used to look at me like I was her safety, the only thing keeping her afloat.

Now she walks through graveyards to stand beside Lucian fucking Beaumont. She sneaks out and returns to her dorm with dirty shoes. She ignores my messages and calls, choosing to sequester herself in the library.

Eden isrunningfrom me.

I clench my fists.

She claims to be afraid of what Lucian is doing to the school. Yet, it doesn’t stop her from stealing moments with him.

If she wants darkness, I’ll show her darkness.

If she wants ruin, I’ll show her that too.

I’ll burn the world to the ground and force her to kneel in the ashes of Lucian’s bones.

Anastazya is just a pawn—and if I have to sacrifice her to prove my point, to bring my plan to fruition, then so be it.