Page 94 of Glutton for Punishment

His eyes narrow. “So you're saying your concern for her is practical? You do not care for the girl personally?”

“No.” The lie comes easier this time. I have to protect her.

The lie comes easier this time.

Father stays silent for a long moment… and then smiles. A slow, cold thing.

“How interesting…” he says lightly, “given that you have already lied to me once today.”

Ice slides down my spine. Of course he’s already several moves ahead. He wouldn’t be the Councilor of this bloodthirsty faction if not.

He rounds the desk and goes toe to toe with me, face in front of mine.

“Councilor West sent word this morning,” he says. “Apparently your little bond displayed quite a spectacle in Gluttony. Destroyed part of the grand hall, I’m told.”

My breath catches. “Is she hurt?” The question escapes before I can stop it.

And there it is. My mistake.

My father’s smile sharpens with triumph.

“Ah,” he says softly. “I’m sure you're merely curious… for practical reasons.”

Damn it.

“She is unharmed,” he says, savoring every second of my silence. “And far more dangerous than you wished me to know.”

He turns away, hands clasped behind his back.

“Truthfully, it may be advantageous to return her to SinVail. I’m sure that’s why you came here. To ask me to remove her exile. She’s obviously not safe in the pit of Gluttony. Correct?”

I’m sure he has no intention of sending her back there now. I played my move, and I lost. My mind is on overdrive trying to come up with another solution.

He continues. “Logically, it’s better she remains where she can be observed than hidden away in Gluttony… or worse, driven into the Wastes where someone else might claim her.”

Hope sparks in my chest—

Then dies just as fast.

“However,” he continues, “it is clear this girl has compromised your judgment. You have become reckless. Emotional. Defiant.” He turns back toward me. “She is making you weak.”

“She has not—”

“She has turned my heir into a liability,” he states firm, cutting me off.

“And if that continues, perhaps the wisest course would be to remove the problem entirely.”

Fury hits so hard my vision flashes white at his threat, and all of my control drops.

“If you touch her…” My voice comes low. Dangerous. “I will burn Pride to the ground. You won’t need an heir because there will be nothing. Nothing left to rule over.”

Silence.

“Well,” he says, “your childish outburst just proves my point.”

I stand frozen, chest heaving as he regards me like an interesting chess piece.

“Despite your emotional threats, I am willing to compromise. I will allow her to return to SinVail Academy.”