For some stupid reason, being lumped in with Cressida, as if they were one and the same, hurt fiercely. Ordinarily, Rune tried not to think about the night she’d spent in Gideon’s bed. But she was thinking about it now.
“Is that what it was between us?” She lowered her gaze to her wine. “Something for you to survive?”
“That’s rich, coming from you.” Gideon leaned back, crossing his arms. An agitated energy rolled off him. “The entire time you were seducing me, you were in love with my brother. So don’t pretend like your feelings are hurt.”
Rune glanced up.
What?
“Oh, come on. You’re going to play coy withme?” His mouth curled like he’d eaten something rotten. “There’s no need to pretend anymore. I see you clearly, even with that illusion.” He lowered his voice and nodded to her altered face. “Seeing you with Soren made your skill at seduction abundantly clear. Watching him so utterly convinced of your affection was like watching myself, two months ago.” She heard the disgust in hisvoice. “You might have deceived me once, but you won’t do it again.”
Rune glanced away.
Had she feigned feelings for Gideon at first?Yes.Had she tried to seduce him to obtain valuable intel?Of course.It was the only way to rescue Seraphine.
But at some point, she’d stopped pretending.
At some point, the lie became real.
Gideon had no reason to believe Rune’s feelings had been sincere. So it shouldn’t have surprised her that he believed she was in love with Alex. She was still wearing his brother’s engagement ring, after all.
There’s no point explaining it to him.
He’d never believe her. Even if he did, it wouldn’t change anything. She was a witch. Nothing Rune did could ever change his mind; her inherent, unalterableessencerevolted him.
She finished her wine in one gulp.
“Poor, innocent Gideon. Deceived by a witch.” On an empty stomach, the alcohol hit fast. Her face grew warm, and the chatter dimmed around them. “What a victim you are.”
Her anger flared and she reached for the wine bottle, pouring herself another glass.
“OfcourseI deceived you. If you’d known the truth from the beginning, you would’ve had me executed!”
Gideon glanced around the saloon. “Keep your voice down.”
Rune winced. He was right. She’d spoken too loudly.
Following his gaze, Rune looked out over the room but found no one watching them. Hopefully the roar of conversation, combined with their distance from the other diners, would make eavesdropping difficult.
Still, Rune and Gideon were supposed to be newlyweds on their honeymoon. They should look disgustingly infatuatedwith each other. Instead, they looked more like rivals in a verbal shoot-out.
Gideon must have had the same thought, because he reached across the table and laced her gloved fingers through his.
Startled, Rune stared at their hands.
It’s fake,she reminded herself.He’s playing the role of doting husband.
Pulling her hand closer, Gideon turned it over so her palm faced him. Slowly, delicately, he traced her gloved hand, feigning affection, trailing his fingertips over her palm.
She remembered the way his hands had adored her that night in his bed. Before he knew what she was.
She wanted to take off her gloves. To feel his skin against hers again.
No. That’s the last thing you want.
She needed to keep her wits about her. She could never, ever trust this boy. No matter what, she mustn’t let down her guard.
“How could I possibly have been myself with you?” she whispered, letting the rancor in her voice give her true feelings away as he gently stroked her hand. “Youhuntpeople like me. You would have hung me up for the crime of my existence and cheered while my enemies cut open my throat.”
