Page 66 of Reaper’s Curse

“Bath times and eager princes aside.” Lucas’s voice returned to the other side of my bedchamber door. “Your supper is getting cold.”

I leaped off the bed and padded toward the locked door separating me from my uninvited guests. “I’m coming.”

“Please do,” Winter drawled, his smile evident in his drunken delivery.

Both Neive and Lucas quickly admonished him.

This should be fun.

I heaved a deep breath and pulled open the bedchamber doors. “Supper, you said?”

My gaze immediately found Lucas. His features were tight, clearly trying to hide his true response to the situation. With a flourish of a hand movement, the manservant presented an awaiting chair and the food spread out on the center table. Two chairs stood beside the otherwise stand-alone piece, and Winter sat slouched, rather unroyal-like, in the opposite seat.

His jacket was slung over the back of the chair, and his shirt was unbuttoned to mid-chest, sleeves rolled up to his elbows. A lot of chiseled lines and muscles were on display, and after a rather slow appraisal, I raised and held my attention on his face.

A roguish grin delighted his lips as his gaze swept over me in return, his irises glinting like chips of ice in the light. Blessed the death god, he was an artful masterpiece.

Should I feel guilty for admiring Winter after having kissed Chace?

Similarly, should I be abashed for having kissed Chace after spending the night with Winter…um…extracting magic?

I hadn’t a commitment to either male, and I was still figuring out my feelings, and since neither had asked for any kind of promise or vow, I decided on “no.” No guilt and no shame.

“I like you in my sleepwear,” Winter said, his voice rough.

My shoulders slumped, and I shot my gaze to Neive. Neive quickly averted her attention, her cheeks flushing.

I sighed and pressed my lips tight. Of course I was wearing his clothing. Wasn’t that just death on a sickle.

In quick recovery, I squared my shoulders, raised my chin, and marched to the awaiting chair. “Thank you for allowing me to borrow them.”

Winter leaned into the table as if attempting to fold the distance between us. “Anytime. I also picked up a few items from Camilla today.”

“I saw.”

I’d left the canvas bag on the bed but had investigated its contents. Several pairs of much-appreciated underclothing. Based on Winter’s current state, I wondered if he had gone through the bag, studied and touched my new items.

The thought was something I didn’t really want to entertain, so I quickly shoved it away and took a seat.

Lucas laid a large cloth napkin in my lap, then he braced his hand on the back of my chair and leaned forward, bringing his face near my ear. “Would you like us to drag the drunk from your room so that you may enjoy your meal in peace?”

“The treachery!” said drunk exclaimed, to which I laughed. The disbelief on Winter’s face morphed into a grin as he jabbed a point in my direction, indicating my laugh. “There it is again. I like it.”

“He can stay,” I replied to Lucas.

Neive opened her mouth, and I raised a hand to stop the lady’s maid before she could give her objections sound. Winter was a royal, now a drunk royal, but I was an agent of the death god Thanatos. I was fairly confident I could handle him, even with some of his magic still crackling under my skin.

“But you should leave.” Winter tossed his hand high and wide at his side. His pointed stare pinned the two servants. “You have all offended me, and I wish the sight of you to be gone.” He dropped his forearms on the table and speared his attention on me. “The lady and I have much to discuss.”

Both Lucas and Neive tossed me a wary, questioning gaze.

“It’ll be fine. Go and enjoy the rest of your night. Any cleanup can wait until morning.” I patted the table, indicating the supper spread.

Lucas and Neive hesitated, as if determined to babysit their prince, but I stood and escorted them to the door.

“I’ll be fine. I can handle him.”

As the pair slipped out the door into the outer hallway, I noted one of the door guards stealing a peek into the room, zeroing in on Winter’s location. No doubt, gathering information that wouldn’t be kept privy. I quickly closed the door and returned to the table…and the prince.