Two figures stand at the foot of my bed.

  Same sharp features. Same ruby eyes. One in black, with a blade at his hip. One in crimson, with a crown on his head.

  My voice croaks out, confused. "Rael?"

  The demon in red lets out an amused chuckle. "Close," he says, stepping closer. "But no. I'm Edros."

  Edros... the previous king killed by his son.

  Another false name.

  His eyes crease at the corners. "Rael is the one that failed to bring you here unscathed."

  Rael, scowling, treads over to lean against the wall.

  Edros continues. "Though to his credit, he did manage to bring you here alive."

  It takes me a second to register it fully. The matching faces. The mirrored posture.

  'My brother and I were left in these woods when we were ten.'

  We, not I.

  "You're... twins," I murmur.

  Edros grins. "Indeed. Identical in birth, though he got all the menace and I got the charm."

  Rael scoffs. "If charm means talking until people surrender out of exhaustion, then yes."

  "I thought you were him," I admit, ignoring the latter statement. "Before I... I saw your face and..."

  "We get that a lot," Edros says. "Luckily," he taps his pointed crown with a wink, "this usually helps tell us apart."

  I try to sit up, my limbs stiff. Edros's hand is already at my shoulder, steadying. "Easy," he mutters. "You've been asleep for two days."

  "Two?"

  "Yes." He nods, ruby eyes softening in a way Rael's rarely have. "You're quite lucky though."

  "I don't feel it." I wince.

  "I do." The king states.

  There's no performance in his voice. Just honesty. Like he means it.

  I study him, the demon I've been promised to.

  "You're not what I expected," I blurt.

  Edros raises a brow.

  "You're..." my eyes flit over to Rael, then back to him, "warm."

  He laughs. "Careful, now. That almost sounds like a compliment."

  Crouching beside me, he takes my hand in his, gently running his thumb over my knuckles.

  Such a human gesture.

  "I've delayed the ceremony," his eyes fixate on the motion of his thumb. "You need time to heal."

  "Can't have you fainting in front of the council again." I look past Edros, to Rael lingering like a shadow.

  His gaze makes my throat tighten.

  "However, the healers say you're off bed rest." Edros kisses my fingers before standing. "Please do join us for dinner."

  I nod, cheeks warming. "I will. Thank you, Your Highness."

  He steps back, smile growing. "Rest. I'll see you tonight."

  The two turn toward the door, leaving. Rael's nearly closed it when I speak.

  "Wait!"

  He looks to me. I gesture him closer with a small wave. He sighs, then trudges back inside.

  "I found a book," I whisper, "in the library. Wishes. Debts. Names."

  His expression doesn't change, but his shoulders tense.

  "My mother's name was listed."

  Rael leans closer, voice firm. "Forget you saw it."

  My brows crease. "Why was she—"

  "Forget you saw it, Princess."

  Then he's gone.

  And I'm left staring at the space where he stood, the weight of that ledger still pressing against my mind as my Aunt's words creep forward.

  Not your friend, nor your ally.

  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

  The dining hall is haunting, barren walls dappled with the eerie white glow of crystals suspended like stars in a sky of stone. I'm guided to my seat, my spine straight, features composed, every inch the diplomatic bride. I move with practiced grace, my gown trailing softly behind me, its violet fabric shimmering with each step.

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  The dress is imaculate, hugging my waist before cascading out in gentle folds to the floor, the silk woven with subtle threads of silver that catch the light with every shift. The neckline is modest, a delicate lace trim outlining the edges, and the sleeves, sheer and soft as mist, fall lightly over my arms.

  Rael sits on the left, his eyes following my every step, but it is Edros who speaks first, rising from his chair with a delighted glint in his eyes. "The soul-stitched beauty joins us at last," he says with a subtle bow. "You wear Varethia well, Princess."

  "Thank you, your Highness." I settle in beside Edros, my eyes lingering on Rael, but he's already looking away, his gaze somewhere beyond me.

  "The journey must have been exhausting." Edros drawls. "I hope you weren't inconvenienced by my brother's... attitude." There's a teasing note to his words, one that makes the jagged edges of his title soften. "I find that he is only tolerable in small doses."

  Rael scoffs. "You gain a tolerance."

  "Like poison." Edros jabs.

  I watch them rifle off more teasing insults, surprised it's not the sharp-edged tension I'd expect between two demons with blood-soaked titles. No. It's brotherly banter.

  I smile, gaze flicking to Rael before returning to Edros, my lips curling. "If anything, I'm surprised he didn't lose his patience more often. He's remarkably restrained."

  The comment is pointed, more humorous than critical, a subtle dance of words that leaves room for interpretation.

  Edros chuckles, glancing at Rael mischievously. "Restraint. The highest form of devotion, I'm sure." He leans forward, voice lowering. "I always thought my brother was a man of few words, but it seems I've misjudged him. He's rather eloquent when it comes to... silence." Edros pours a drink into my goblet that shimmers faintly silver.

  Rael sits taller, the weight of his presence palpable, but I can't help feeling a quiet satisfaction in the exchange. Edros, effortlessly charming, and Rael, ever the enigma. It's a balance that intrigues me, a contrast that makes the evening all the more fascinating.

  I let the moment linger before turning back to Edros with an innocent shrug. "Perhaps I'm simply too loud for his liking."

  "She asks many questions." Rael grumbles.

  Edros grins, passing me the filled goblet. "Ah, curious and clever, a dangerous combination."

  I accept the cup, letting my fingers delicately trace the rim. "You would like my mother then."

  "You must miss her--miss your family?"

  "Indeed," I nod, staring down at the drink before me, eyes stinging. "Could I send a letter home? Let them know I've arrived safely?"

  Edros nods. "Of course."

  Servers glide in with silent precision, setting steaming platters before us, the rich aroma of roasted meats and spiced vegetables filling the chamber. I take a small bite, hand lingering near my goblet, almost as if drawn to it by some invisible force. I lift it to my lips, taking another sip, the liquid smooth and sweet.

  "You know," I say, observing Edros, "compared to your brother, you seem quite... accommodating." My lips twitch into a smirk. "Or is that just your charm? Should I expect you to woo me with something more dangerous?"

  He lets out a low laugh, leaning forward as his ruby eyes sparkle. "Oh, I assure you, princess, I have far more dangerous tricks than charm."

  Rael shifts in his seat, clearing his throat. But Edros doesn't seem to notice—or care.

  I peer up at the king through my lashes, "and what's your most dangerous trick, then?

  "I prefer a more direct approach." He murmurs, and I wonder how genuine this interaction is for him. "But if you want to play tricks... I'm sure we can find something to amuse you."

  Rael stills when I glance at him. "Do you have a favorite trick, King's Blade?" I ask, catching a subtle twitch of his mouth as he sips from his goblet.

  It clinks on the table and I find myself entranced by a small bead of silver that lingers on his bottom lip. "Temptation." He slowly drags his thumb across it, wiping it clean, but I don't miss his darkening gaze.

  "Temptation?" Edros chuckles softly, as if not noticing, and his eyes fall back on me, scanning their way down my figure. "I fear you've met your match, brother."

  My face warms, and my fingers, no longer steady, twirl the goblet as if trying to focus on something other than the flutter in my chest.

  Soon, the world around seems to soften, edges blurring in the dim light as a soft laugh escapes me, and for a moment, the room spins in an unfamiliar, dizzying way.

  Rael's watches me, as does Edros, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. "Careful there, Princess. That's a strong drink."

  "I'd argue she's holding her own." Rael smiles into his goblet. "For now."

  My words are steadier than I feel. "I suppose I'm full of surprises," I murmur, setting the goblet down. "May I ask something... direct?"

  Edros leans back, swirling his drink, his own cheeks tinged a soft pink. "The direct approach," Edros winks, "please do."

  Whatever lay in my goblet had quickly worked its way to my tongue. "Why did you kill your father for the throne?"

  Rael chokes on his drink.

  Edros blinks, then lets out a surprised laugh—genuinely caught off guard. "Gods, I like you." There's a flicker of shadow in his eyes, but he doesn't hide from the question. "Our father was a tyrant. He would've bled this realm dry if we let him. I challenged him--as is our custom--and I won."

  "Ripped the crown off his corpse," Rael adds.

  I turn to him. "And you?"

  Edros answers for him. "He killed our uncle--the King's Blade--that night. Before he could invoke his right to avenge my father and steal the title from me."

  I look between them—one a king in a crown of bloodshed, the other a blade in black silk.

  Two prince's raised in chaos, yet somehow coexist in peace.

  "You killed for him," I whisper.

  Rael shrugs. "It was the only way to keep him alive."

  Edros places his hand over mine. "Our realm doesn't allow for soft ascents."

  I reach for something lighter—anything to ease the thread tightening in my chest.

  "Do you have a garden?" I inquire. "Something that grows... in this dark?"

  Edros's smile returns. "We do. Beneath the palace. There's a section that only blooms under starlight. Moonwilt, feverstem..." he squeezes my hand, "my brother did explain your love for flowers."

  "Yes." I nod.

  "I'd be honored to show you after dinner."

  My face softens, though suspicion lingers like a shadow in my mind.

  He knows how to give without seeming like he's buying something.

  "I'd like that." I swallow. "I thought I might send a remedy home to my...friend. If that's allowed"

  If the king suspects my brother's ailment...

  Rael clears his throat. "You've never taken anyone to the starlight garden."

  Edros shrugs. "I've never had a guest ask about it."

  I allow my gaze to linger on Edros just long enough for Rael's expression to tighten.

  My heart picks up the faintest beat. I lean in closer, lowering my voice in mock curiosity. "Do you always share everything so well, the two of you?"

  Edros's brows lift. "Not always. My brother was supposed to be born first. He kicked so hard I arrived early just to get away from him."

  Rael huffs softly. "You strangled me with the cord. The healers called it symbolic."

  I laugh, and it is genuine this time. Their banter is ridiculous—sharp with a history I don't understand, but familiar in the way siblings always are.

  I study Edros for a moment. He is likable. But my aunt's voice slides between my ribs like a knife. You're nothing more than another pawn in his court.

  So I will feign innocence, because even a pawn can outmaneuver a king.

  "Well, I know it won't be without its challenges, but I look forward to sharing this palace with you," I stare up at the glowing crystals. "And discovering more of it's hidden gems."

  Rael's eyes snap to me, and I meet them, unwavering.

  "After dinner, we'll walk the gardens together." Edros kisses my hand.

  "That would be lovely."

  And Rael, for the first time this evening, looks truly uneasy.