He took off down the hall, disappearing around the corner.

Lust stepped from the shadows, his expression contemplative. “My money’s on the goddess.”

“Not a chance.” Envy snorted. “Pride will choose Lucia. It’s always been Lucia.”

Mischief flared in Lust’s charcoal gaze. “Shall we place a wager?”

“Now you want to bet?” Envy looked his brother over. “What was your bet with Gluttony, again?”

“I bet you’d be a stubborn prick. You lived by that gods-damned rule for centuries. It seemed like a sure win.”

“Looks like my coffers will be as legendary as my cock.” Envy grinned as his brother scowled. “I accept your wager. Pride wins back Lucia. Vittoria ends up with the werewolf.”

“Or the new vampire prince.”

Envy scoffed. “Blade doesn’t consort with death goddesses. And he’s already said he’s choosing a vampire bride.”

Lust tossed an arm around him, walking back toward the reception. “Not what I’ve heard. Our friend secretly enjoys dancing with true death.”

“House Vengeance and Malice Isle as a united front.” Envy shuddered at the thought. “Work your charm before we all live to regret it. If you’re not amenable, maybe we can convince Wolf to seduce her. Hell, maybe she’ll even keep the shifter, Fae, and vampire.”

“Look at you, scheming already.” Lust snorted. “This is why you’re my favorite brother.”

Camilla stepped into the hall, took one look at the brothers, and shook her head.

“Whatever you’re plotting, stop.” She leveled a cold look at Envy and his gods-damned desire for her flared. “I mean it. No games tonight.”

Envy’s mouth curved wickedly.

Oh, there would be games.

Tonight, however, he’d keep them in the bedroom.

Right where his cunning little fiancée liked them.

Envy and Lust entered the throne room behind Camilla, the party well underway. Emerald-encrusted trays towering with Dark and Sinfuls made the rounds, while a central fountain of demonberry wine cascaded in a dark, glittering wave down a tower and into hundreds of coupe glasses. House Envy twirled across the checkered dance floor.

Lust went to flirt with a demon near the shellfish table, where platters were laden with pearl-like delicacies and other oceanic marvels.

Envy stood in the shadows a moment after waving his brother off.

He chuckled when he saw Bunny, rubbing around Wrath’s legs. The General of War glanced around quickly before scrubbing behind Bunny’s ears, earning an amused look from Emilia at her husband’s new friend.

Envy caught a flash of silver, winding its way around the crowd, heading toward the dais. His heart stuttered a beat as Camilla climbed the steps and slowly twisted, her gaze finding his across the room. Her mouth curved as she sat on his throne, her expression a wonderful, taunting promise of what was to come.

Later, after the last guest had gone, once the last drink had been drunk, Envy would take her in his arms, dancing her around the throne room.

Then he’d make all her fantasies come true.

CAMILLA CLUTCHED ENVY’S arm, a thrill racing through her as he guided her down another corridor, blindfold snugly fitted over her eyes.

During breakfast, he’d casually mentioned he had a surprise, then sipped his coffee. Like he hadn’t just ignited her curiosity, set her mind whirling in a hundred directions.

When she’d pressed him for more information, he’d just given her a roguish wink.

Once their meal was finished, he pulled out the blindfold. Camilla’s thoughts turned to the night he’d used her robe’s sash to cover her eyes, then kissed her everywhere.

Her husband-to-be knew how to drive her mad in the best ways.

The hard muscles of his arm flexed as he steered her down another corridor, their pace unhurried, unlike her heartbeat.

At first, she’d tried to mentally follow their path, mapping out what section of House Envy he’d taken her to. But she quickly gave up when it seemed like they’d doubled back in some places and ventured down hallways she hadn’t explored yet.

“Are we close?” she asked, excitement lacing her tone.

She felt the smile in his voice when he answered.

“Almost.”

He was as excited as she was.

Envy had surprised her. In the weeks following the truth of who she was, a tender, romantic side emerged when they were alone together. Her fiancé wooed her often and with reckless abandon, as if he were making up for years of never permitting himself to have a soft side. Or maybe what he’d said was true—that Camilla made him want to do those things.

Gifts, walks in the garden, around the circle, all over the House, conversations about everything and nothing, lovemaking… Envy wanted to know her mind, body, and soul.

He still had his wicked side, which she loved equally. That side stirred her passions, fed her Fae nature unlike any other. Envy’s gaze still glittered dangerously, still owned all her senses. They fucked as often as they made love and their appetites for each other were relentless.

She wondered whether he was part Unseelie or simply insatiable. Whenever she desired him, he was ready for her, ready to do everything she wanted and more. And their games, those were as tempting and gloriously sinful as ever.

They finally stopped. Camilla strained to hear any sounds that would indicate where they were. After the court had regained their memories, the castle was usually filled with pleasant noise.

Silence stretched. Though, distantly, Camilla almost swore she heard a sound like faint, tinkling bells.

Envy’s lips brushed her ear and she shivered from the pleasant sensation.

“Ready?”

She bit her lip, then nodded.

Anticipation thickened the air, made her pulse pound harder. The damn demon was teasing the moment out, knowing she’d grow taut from the unknown.

Was he about to make love to her here? Was there a new gown? A new painting? A—

The blindfold fell away.

An enormous, arched silver door gleamed in front of them. Their reflections were distorted by the number of carvings on it. Runes.

Camilla’s gaze swept over the door, above and around it; wisteria vines had been carved, so lifelike she would have thought they were real if it hadn’t been for the silver.

Her attention snagged on the one part that wasn’t solid silver—an emerald lock, shaped like a heart. She stepped forward, brushing her hand along the door.

The humming, bell-like sound intensified.

“It’s gorgeous,” she said. “Where does it go?”

When Envy didn’t respond, she turned to him.

He held a gold key, also heart-shaped, with a tiny emerald that matched the lock. Her breath caught. It was her father’s key. The Silverthorne Key.

“You took it,” she whispered.

“I wanted to keep it away from the Wild Court,” he said. “But I wanted to hold on to it in case you wished to use it.”

She blinked the stinging from her eyes. He’d planned this before he knew she’d agree to come with him. Had hoped she would.

Envy pulled her into his arms and kissed the top of her head, holding her while she cried. When she quieted, he pressed one last kiss to her head, then stepped back, holding the key up for her to take.

“Feeling adventurous, pet?”

She stuck the key in the lock and twisted. The silver melted, revealing a long, narrow corridor. Camilla knew exactly where this led. It wasn’t Silverthorne Lane. It was much better.

She grabbed Envy’s hand and hurried into the tunnel, wondering how he’d managed such a thing. They emerged in her father’s studio.

She heaved a contented sigh. Everything was just as she’d left it. Only a month or two had passed since she’d been there, but it felt like everything had changed inside her.