Chapter 0011

You and Nicholas have a special bond, and I can’t wait to see how far I can bend it.

I didn’t understand Julian at first. Nicholas and I hadn’t been a couple in three years. Whatever bond we

had was assuredly broken by now. The plans Julian had for us would make no difference anymore.

But then I realized, this wasn’t about me, or me and Nicholas as a couple.

Julian’s hostility was aimed fully at Nicholas himself.

They had always seemed like fierce enemies at the Academy. Perhaps the addition of them being brothers didn’t make that perception untrue. Maybe it only intensified their rivalry.

“If you are planning on using me against Nicholas, you are making a big mistake,” I said. “Nicholas no longer cares for me. In fact, he likely hates me. You’d be wasting your time.”

Julian’s smile neither grew nor wavered. He merely watched me a moment, then dipped his head. “Good luck in the selection, Piper.”

Without another word, he turned and exited the room.

I had no idea what he was thinking.

a while, after that. The maids that were assigned to me had yet to

our clothes into the empty drawers of a nearby dresser. Elval was diligently following me from the

atop a cabinet

a portrait of a couple hung in an

the window, a pair of horses grazed in a fenced–in field behind

returned to her toys. Ed pulled the comforter off the bed and draped it across the back

hide under

restond to impacking

sounded on the door, Thad only blowed

the door swung open, Nicholas stood there with a few of his

into my throat at the sight of him. It must have been a reflex. So

I wondered

then he

I come in?”

I said. Then, remembering

his title, but

was good for

needs.” He waved forward one of the guards, who stepped diligently to his side. “This is Mark,

a little. “Nice to

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