Max''s voice was cold, his hands sped behind his back. He let out a slight huff. "To think he dared to climb into my bed that day to seduce you."


    I was confused for a second.


    He couldn''t possibly mean that time Garrett drugged himself and I happened to walk into that room, could he?


    Sometimes, I realized, he could hold a serious grudge.


    No wonder Garrett acted like such a pushover around Max. He adored his brother but didn''t dare to cross him.


    And whenever he did try something, Max would punish him. The key was, Garrett could easily resist, but he craved Max''s attention so much that he''d obediently ept the punishment.


    ***


    The engagement ceremony went smoothly. By the time night fell, Max still hadn''t mentioned the ring, so I ced it in the drawer of the bedside table in our room.


    I was exhausted. Max seemed to have gone out with Garrett. Helen drew a bath for me, and I was already getting drowsy as I rested my head on the edge of the tub.


    My back was to the door when I heard it open. I assumed it was Helen bringing me some warm water, as she usually did when I took a bath.


    "Is Max still punishing Garrett?"


    I asked softly. My voice was so gentle that even I thought I sounded like a neglected wife waiting all alone.


    There was no answer. The sound of the door closing stopped.


    I asked again, "Is it customary here to go to sleep first after the engagement? I''m just so tired, I don''t want to wait for him."


    "No."


    The cold yet alluring voice jolted me awake, banishing all drowsiness. I turned


    around and fell right into a wet embrace, right there in the bathtub...


    Everything that followed felt natural, with him leading the way.


    "Still sleepy?"


    I gave him a light tap on the chest. Every time I was on the verge of sleep, he would wake me uppletely, only to drift off peacefully himself afterward.


    Leaving me wide awake.


    "Is Garrett copying his poems?" I asked casually, but he sealed my lips with a kiss.


    "Distracted?"


    Hewith his maic


    voice. chuckle


    only let out a low


    just want to know how


    you punish a grade schooler, that''s


    all."


    "He deserves it."


    "Don''t mention him again," Max said authoritatively, turning me over to continue his yful torment.


    "I think you''re bing as childish


    as Garrett..." I giggled as he tickled


    tickled


    me flecaressed my face his


    expression one of someone terrified of loss.


    "The road ahead is clear of obstacles now. You can walk forward without fear. I''ll always be there to catch you."


    Max''s words warmed my heart. I believed himpletely. I knew he would always be right behind me.


    "So, can I go back to Bravend? To see Richard, and to visit the poor on the other side of the Saltmere River?"


    For days, this had been weighing on my mind.


    "Of course. But not as the princess of Bravend. You''ll go as my royal consort of Serythia."


    Some people''s dominance extends to even controlling your identity.


    Some people''s love is a constant desire for a formal, official title.


    "You can''t marry into my family? Take my name?" I teased, lightly tracing his Adam''s apple.


    It bobbed a few times before he lifted me out of the water, wrapped me in a towel,


    and carried me back to the bedroom.


    "I''ll take any title you''re willing to give me."


    It felt like Max was practically begging me for a title.


    "I think when go back to face the people, it would be better to keep a lower profile. I don''t want them to


    feel distant from me once they ne


    know Wetan


    te them all to the weddingter. Wouldn''t that be better?"