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April 29 - May 3, 2025
If they were memories and not illusions created from this realm… then I might have discovered another one of Wrath’s secrets.
From thinking Wrath might be Pride, to considering if I was the First Witch, cursed to forget as punishment for what I’d done.
couldn’t stop thinking that I was the devil’s bride and I hadn’t been murdered—I’d been cursed to forget.
There was no use denying that I aligned with the sin of wrath more than any other.
“Should you find yourself in need of a partner, I will dance with you.”
“Breathe.
“My wife, Emilia di Carlo.”
“People rarely notice what’s in front of them, especially when they expect to find something else.”
“And as for riding, I’d reconsider. I’ve found that sometimes our bodies recall what our minds do not.”
I had no idea where I was going, but something called to me, deep in my blood. It screamed at me to remember, to let go of thoughts and simply feel.
“Scheme bigger, my friend. Let your inner deviant free.”
Gluttony seems to be her friend
You can see through the ages which of the seven princes held the most power and influence based on the mortal world. Wars, greed, sexual awakenings. And yet,” his whisper was anything but soft, “I cannot seem to recall an era of envy.”
“Seven Stars”
Wrath, Greed, Envy, Gluttony. I didn’t see Sloth but recalled what Wrath had said about him slipping in before the fear ceremony.
Lust smirked at me from the far end of our side of the table, crooking his finger in a mocking wave.
Pride scanned me from mask to toe, his head tilted to one side.
“Hello, Lady Vengeance.”
“I’m unused to such beautiful dance partners thinking of my brother while in my arms.”
And it’s why none of us have to bother with the messy bits of ruling.”
“This realm would have ripped itself apart if he didn’t terrify it into submission.”
He looked neither pleased nor angered, but there was something about his expression that made me think he was… jealous.
“Losing someone you love,” I continued when he didn’t speak, “is a horrible kind of pain. I would not wish that on my worst enemy.” “As I’m sure my brothers and I are counted amongst those you consider foes, it pleases me to hear that.”
A small diagonal scar carved through his upper lip and ended just below the lower one. I’d seen it before
“Your brother thinks you’re debauched. Too drunk on wine and lovers to bother with anything of importance.”
Wariness entered his features. “Yet you were leading your guards around the grounds of House Pride this morning, looking anything but intoxicated.”
“As a matter of principle, I rarely show my true face to anyone. You would be wise to do the same.”
“Shouldn’t you be asking about the curse?”
“Well played, Shadow Witch. One stone, two princes.”
“I’ve come to collect you, guest of honor. It’s time for you to feed us your biggest fear. And I cannot tell you how hungry I suddenly am.”
“Stop.” The deep voice echoed. “I will be the one to sacrifice a secret of the heart.”
Wrath, the demon who valued his secrets more than anyone I knew, was offering one up. For me. In front of every enemy court. It was not a declaration of love, but it was close.
“No.” Wrath’s tone was cold enough to rival ice.
it. He looked undisturbed by the idea; if anything, he seemed eager for me to marry his brother.
Envy, who’d been glowering at the interruption, suddenly perked up.
“A tryst in your royal suite it is.” He clapped twice. “Master of ceremonies. Complete the ritual.”
“It’s not too late for me to give up a secret instead. We do not have to do this. I vowed you would have a choice. I stand by my word.
“I’ve never wanted to give up a fear or secret. I cannot say the same about desiring you.”
“When you decide to come to my bedchamber, I want you to know whose sheets you’re climbing between. I want you to call out my name.”
“Tell me what you desire and it will be yours.”
“You are so godsdamn beautiful.”
“Don’t ever hide yourself from me. Unless you want me to stop, or I’m not pleasuring you the way you like. You are beautiful. And I want nothing more
“Tell me, fiancée. Are you certain you want me as your husband?”
“Iucundissima somnia.”
A lone figure leaned on a walking stick, too far away and hidden behind the mist to make out clearly.
If the mystery woman did indeed know me better than I did, then the best choice was to agree. Consequences be as damned as my soul.
“You cannot expect to find answers to anyone else’s mystery, when you do not yet understand the mystery of yourself.”
Perhaps you refuse to look too closely at him because of what it reveals about you. He is your mirror.
That, my child, is where the true test comes in. Are you brave enough to confront your demons? Not many are.”
“I know who you are.”
“The serpent in the garden. The one who’d encouraged mortals to
