Page 53 of Crowned In Sin

“I don’t think your prince—your princes—would allow such a thing.” Isabel stands from the vanity and looks me over. “They clearly can think of nothing but your happiness.”

“They are both so handsome, in their own ways.”

“I quite agree,” Isabel says, and I know she’s telling me the truth. “What do you think, Cora? Are you ready to go down to dinner?”

I put my arm through hers. “I think I’m ready for more than dinner.”

Isabel laughs at my boldness, and it makes my heart light as we go out and down the stairs to find our hosts.

It’s an intimate dinner—just the four of us. I’d almost expected for more members of the princes’ court to attend, but the castle does not seem busy in that way. I don’t know how much I would appreciate the relative privacy. The small table makes it seem as if we four are the only people in the world aside from the cupbearers and cooks.

I’m also glad for Isabel’s company. I can imagine quite clearly how overwhelmed I would feel this first evening with only the eyes of the two princes on me, despite what we shared after I announced my choice.

Even with Isabel at the table, there is heat between the three of us—a current that does not include her, though Prince Jasper keeps up conversation with both of us as naturally as if we were two pairs.

The princes care so deeply for each other, which is clear during the meal. They’ve been through so much. As I sit at the table with them, I’m overwhelmed with gratitude that I did not come between them. Prince Jasper includes Prince Casen in the stories he tells about their childhood, and often Prince Casen will make a gesture that seems to remind Prince Jasper of some detail he had forgotten. Prince Jasper always laughs, seeming to know what his brother is referring to without him speaking a word.

I want that connection as well. It pulls at my heartstrings.

Once or twice, Prince Casen writes something on a slip of parchment and slides it across the table to his brother. I understand with a glance from Prince Jasper that once Prince Casen is more comfortable, he may address these notes to the table at large, but it is still early. We’re all getting used to each other.

As for me, it doesn’t take long before the sense that I would be overwhelmed when faced with the two of them together leaves. I stop imagining their focus trained on me as something that must be confronted and begin to think of it as something I will be able to bask in, even when the table is larger and there are more guests.

When we’re finished eating and the last of the wine has been poured, a maiden appears at Isabel’s elbow.

“Ah, yes,” Prince Jasper says. “My mother cultivated the palace gardens for many years, and she left her most trusted people to maintain them. I’d heard you had a fondness for gardens, Isabel, and thought you might enjoy a tour. Joan is quite knowledgeable about the plants currently at fullest bloom and would be happy to show them to you.”

“I would,” Isabel agrees instantly, her face alight. We share a look and instantly, my body heats. We both know what the boys are up to.

“We’ve spent many hours together in the gardens at Cora’s father’s castle,” she says as she pushes back from the table. She stands and takes the servant’s offered arm. “I’ve heard many stories of the gardens by the seas, and I am delighted to see them in person. Is it true that⁠⁠—”

Her voice trails off as they leave.

Jasper rises from his seat at the same time Casen does. Jasper offers me his hand, and the three of us go together into a hall toward another room. Every second that passes my palms sweat more and more. The heat between the two of them is nearly unbearable. My heart races and I can’t stop looking at Casen either. Every etch of his scars compared to the handsome roughness of the other side of his face is a memory.

My body warms in a way it never has when he gently places his hand on the small of my back. I glance at Jasper when he does and notice the simper on his face. He’s fully embraced sharing me. Both men have.

With the creak of the door, we enter the smaller room, a study. Every nerve ending inside of me buzzes, hoping we can have another sordid moment as we did before we left my castle.

One wall, made entirely of shelves, is filled with books. There’s a large desk, a sitting area, and yet another set of doors leading to the balcony. Prince Jasper nods to his brother, then takes a seat. He gestures toward a loveseat across from him while Casen fetches something from the desk.

He joins me on the loveseat a few moments later and places a portable writing desk between us.

For a minute, he only writes, then passes the slip of paper to me.

I am sorry that I could not answer your questions the night you asked them. If there is anything you wish to know, you may ask, and I will answer.

A smile grows on my lips and I cannot help it. Excitement runs through me. Less of my desire and more of my interest in knowing who these men truly are. I’ve shared secrets with them no one else knows. And I wish to know their secrets as well.

“Are you pleased to have me here?”

Yes, he writes, which does not take long. I never imagined I’d be able to love like this.

His answer makes me blush with the sweetness. I hadn’t counted on him being so romantic given…our scandalous affair.

“I hope…I hope I did not offend you by asking to see your face.”

Prince Casen shrugs. You did not, he writes. It is my face.