Not to mention that the last time she’d seen him, he’d had a dagger sticking out of his chest. Instead of letting her know he was indeed all right, he’d gone straight to a chamber on Fae history.
If Camilla harbored any misconceptions about where his priorities lay, they were dashed now. Clearly his one and only focus was on the mysterious game.
“Despite our introduction, Lo seems very personable. And he is rather handsome,” Camilla said by way of greeting, curious to press Envy’s sin to see how much of a rise she could get.
Envy snorted but didn’t lift his head from the book he was flipping through. His sin had not been invoked. Maybe he didn’t feel for her. The thought rankled.
“You clearly disagree. Why?”
Envy flicked his emerald gaze to her.
“After stabbing me, did my lovely brother happen to explain why he goes by that name?”
She slowly shook her head and his devious grin emerged, alluring dimples and all.
“Because he delights in laying his enemies low. Sloth is as wicked as they come. I’d advise never falling for his
“Although one ought to be thankful I at least make an effort, right, brother?”
Lo leaned casually against the doorframe, a pair of spectacles hanging from a chain around his neck. He’d discarded his tailcoat and rolled his shirtsleeves up, exposing toned arms and what appeared to be a tattoo of some phrase peeking out.
“My court is searching through every chamber as we speak. If there’s anything out of place, they’ll find it.”
He glanced between them, his expression difficult to read.
“It’s getting late, so I’ve instructed my cook to send food up to your suites. Since we’ll be working around the clock to locate the clue, we don’t have time for a formal dinner. I hope that will suffice, Miss Antonius.”
Envy clapped once.
“Well done. You skirted the truth beautifully.”
At Camilla’s inquisitive look, he added, “Sloth prefers to snack in his chambers while reading. Whenever he can avoid a large dinner gathering, he will. His House motto is
Lo didn’t deny the charge.
“Should you need anything, Miss Antonius, please don’t hesitate to ask. My cook is more than happy to make whatever you’d like.”
“Have some of my preferred cocktails sent up. And some demonberry wine for Miss Antonius to try.”
Envy leaned back in his chair, kicking his feet up onto the table, the picture of arrogance. He’d just ordered another prince around, in a circle that did not belong to him. Even Camilla understood that that was deeply insulting.
Lo pressed his lips into a line. He was probably debating whether to strike Envy again. This time Camilla imagined he’d stab deeper.
“Don’t forget the muddled blackberries and brown sugar,” Envy added. “It’s going to be a long night.”
Camilla smiled as Lo rolled his eyes and exited the chamber. Envy would be lucky if she didn’t stab him next.
“What, exactly, are you hoping to find in this section?”
Envy cut a look her way, then held up the book he’d been immersed in.
It was a history of the Unseelie King.
“Lennox thinks himself a god, but he must have a weakness. Once I find it, I’ll exploit it.”
Spoken like a true villain.
But that was just another mask, she guessed. She considered her response carefully, knowing that how she proceeded here would either set the stage for him to share what drove him and open up, or it would make him close his heart off entirely.
She’d start slowly.
“You’ve met the king?”
The air chilled several degrees. “Next time we’re in the same room, one of us won’t freely walk away.”
Hatred, ancient and colder than ice, laced his words. It was a dangerous vow.
Camilla shuddered. The Unseelie King must have well and truly done something terrible.
“I imagine the Unseelie are no worse than any other creature in this realm,” she hedged. “Why do you hate him in particular?”
A servant quietly entered the chamber, depositing a silver tray laden with bourbon, syrup, orange zest, and blackberries, and an interesting bottle of wine. It was dark and sparkled like stars.
“Wine or bourbon?” the prince asked, changing course.
“Wine, please.”
Envy got up immediately and fixed them both a drink, handing her a glass of demonberry wine before downing his first cocktail in one go. He made another and sipped it.
He looked her over with slitted eyes. “Were you all right here, alone?”
His question surprised her.
His tone was quiet, casual, but she sensed something dangerous writhing below the surface of his placid expression. It could indicate that what Lo said was true—that Envy would be territorial until their time together ended. Or it could be something else he’d already learned.
He was extremely difficult to read when he wished to be.
“Yes. Your brother gave me a tour.” She paused, observing the way his hand tightened on his glass. “It was all very impressive. I must have asked about everything, but he answered all my questions with a smile.”
“How very generous of him.”
“I asked about you,” she said.
