Page 51 of Gilded Curses

Her heart sank a little at the reminder Orin once imprisoned her brother. Del loathed Orin; she didn’t know if they could ever get along or if her brother would ever forgive her for this.

He might see it as a betrayal to him, and he’d be right. Orin had let her and Lexi believe Del was dead when he knew the truth; he’d kept him locked away from his family. She shouldn’t ever forgive him for that, but she did.

They were both completely different than when they first met; things had changed, and while she didn’t doubt Orin was still ruthless when necessary, he wasn’t the same. But could Del see that, and would he be willing to try?

Sahira gulped, and acid churned in her stomach at the possibility of losing her brother, her best friend. She couldn’t let that happen, but what if she had to choose between him and Orin?

Closing her eyes, Sahira took a deep breath as she tried to calm her rising anxiety. She was getting way ahead of herself here. They couldn’t get out of this realm and had no idea what the future held.

Maybe she and Orin wouldn’t have forever, and maybe next week, or six months from now, she wouldn’t want that, but they had now, and she was looking forward to every second of now… minus the creepy Golden Ones, murder, and all the uncertainty.

That reminder put a damper on her mood, but she still munched on a piece of toast laden with strawberry jam. Her stomach thanked her for putting something in it. Apparently, her stomach didn’t know manipulative, murderous assholes surrounded her.

When she finished eating, she pushed her plate aside and sipped coffee while studying the white wall across from her. She pondered the events of last night as Desmond and Orin continued speaking.

The servants had given her what might be some helpful information, but it didn’t guarantee them a way out of this place. Plus, they couldn’t know if any of the information was true. Still, it was something, and they’d have to follow up on it.

Finally, brunch ended, and Desmond stood. “Sheree and I would like to show you something.”

CHAPTER FORTY-THREE

An uneasy feeling ran through Sahira, and the jam soured in her stomach. She didn’t know what this man planned to show them, but it couldn’t be good. Nothing with him ever was.

She hoped she didn’t throw up her brunch before this was all over. Her gaze darted to Sheree, who sat with a serene smile as she gazed at Desmond with adoration. That smile bothered her more than Desmond’s words, and if she didn’t know better, she’d think that look was real.

She’s too good an actress.

“Come now,” Desmond encouraged when no one moved. “The day is wasting.”

Sahira swallowed the lump in her throat as she set down her napkin and rose with the others. The brownies scampered up her, Orin, and Elsa as they assumed their normal positions on their shoulders.

When Orin’s fingers brushed hers, she knew it wasn’t an accident but an attempt to comfort her. She almost clasped his hand but restrained herself. These two had to know Orin was naked in her room this morning.

But the two of them having sex was one thing, and while she was sure they also knew they cared for each other, holding hands was a different level of intimacy. The dagadon would use everything they could against them, but Sahira couldn’t keep loading the gun.

But then, they probably already had it fully loaded and cocked.

Still, Sahira didn’t take his hand as they followed Desmond and Sheree down another white hallway with guards all around them. Sheree could look at Desmond like she loved him, but as they walked side by side, Sheree kept her hands clasped before her and her head held high. Their body language wasn’t that of a couple in love, and they couldn’t hide it.

Desmond’s pale blue eyes glistened when he turned to Orin. “Do you like to hunt, my friend?”

“It’s been many years since I’ve been on a true hunt unless you include those I hunted during the war against the Lord,” Orin replied.

Desmond laughed. “Of course they count! But I’m talking a true hunt with men being men.”

It wouldn’t surprise Sahira if Desmond started thumping his chest and grunting. If men were all like him, she’d hunt them.

“I’ve always enjoyed a good hunt,” Orin said.

“Then we shall go on one this afternoon. You, me, Loth, Fath, and Zeth!” He turned to one of the guards. “Have the captain of the hunt prepare for one this afternoon.”

“Yes, my Lord.”

The man sped away and disappeared around one of the turns. She glanced back at Zeth, who was scowling at Desmond. Had Desmond included him simply to push the demon’s buttons?

If Zeth exploded, it would give them an excuse to imprison or kill Zeth, and she was certain Desmond would take a full contingent of guards with him. Men being men didn’t include him not being a coward.

If he were a real man, he’d go out there without any guards and see how long he survived with Orin and Zeth. Sahira would take bets on less than a minute.