Page 160 of Godless Saints

Dinner drifted into easier conversation after that. Yuna made Cillian promise to try every dessert in Seoul before he went home. Grandmother declared Irish accents unfairly charming. Mother wrote down the name of Cillian’s favorite stew after asking about his mother’s cooking. Even Father spoke more than usual about travel, business, fencing. Never once about Evermourne.

After dinner, everyone moved into the sitting room. Tea. Garden. Sunset. Grandmother fell asleep in her favorite chair. Yuna played with the dogs, dragging Cillian along with delighted shrieks. I watched Mother laugh at something Cillian said. The same polished laugh she used at board dinners. I couldn’t tell which version of her this was, the one that smiled for staff or the one who had gutted me outside.

Maybe I imagined the tension.

The next few days became a performance none of us acknowledged.

Mother always laughed loud enough for the staff to hear. Edwin decided Cillian wasn’t eating enough and made it his mission. Grandmother flirted shamelessly. Yuna adopted him within forty-eight hours.

The mansion looked exactly the same.

“Ready?”

We stepped into the large garage. Rows of pristine cars under soft lighting. Cool air.

“We can take my car,” I said. “Father bought it when I graduated Harvard. It's mostly been collecting dust." I handed Cillian the keys. “You can drive though. I hate driving.”

Cillian took the keys, grinning. “Works for me. Which one is yours?”

I pointed. “I think it’s a Porsche.”

Cillian walked over, eyes widening. “Baby, this is a Porsche 911 Carrera 4S. A fucking predator.” He let out a low whistle. “God, I love your taste.”

“Father picked it.” I shrugged.

Cillian touched the top of the car, running his hand along the sleek lines. “Mmm. She’s gorgeous.”

Yuna came running with a bag of snacks and stuffed them in the car.

“Thanks, Yuna.”

She hugged me tight, then launched herself at Cillian even harder. “Oh, I wish I could come with you! Mom says I have to stay here.”

“Yeah. We’ll do something together when we get back.”

“Promise?”

“Yes. I promise.”

Cillian opened my door before walking around to the driver’s side.

“Where are we going?” I asked.

He smiled.

“Somewhere that’s just ours.”

I looked back once. Mother waved. Yuna practically climbed the gate trying to wave harder. Father simply nodded. Then we drove away.

CHAPTER 39

CILLIAN

My thumb dug harder into the knot at the back of his neck, the one that never fucking left. He wouldn’t look at me. Just stared out the window.

Fucking hell.

The whole visit I watched him shrink. Spine snapping straight the second Nathaniel stepped into any room. Shoulders locked tight. Eyes flicking to his father’s face before every single answer, checking, always checking, if it was safe to speak. My sharp-mouthed prince went quiet. Every edge sanded down until he sounded like a stranger wearing Moon’s face.