Without uttering another word, Gluttony strode off toward the giggling ladies.
I turned to Wrath. “What was that about?”
“She’s a journalist from the Shifting Isles. And she rarely has anything flattering to say about the royals in this realm. She’s been particularly vicious with Gluttony.”
I thought back to the lovers on the table. “She doesn’t enjoy his displays of overindulgence, I take it.”
“On the contrary.” Wrath’s mouth edged up on one side. “She called his last gathering ‘perfectly ordinary and utterly contrived. A predictable, uninspired evening.’”
“I cannot believe you memorized that.”
“My brother quoted it so often, it stuck. Gluttony was furious. He has since thrown the most lavish, over-the-top, debauched parties he can.”
“He wants her to eat her words.”
“Amongst other things, no doubt.”
I couldn’t help but smile. “Hate is a powerful aphrodisiac for some.”
“Indeed. It is.” Wrath’s attention briefly fell to my lips. “Would you like to tour the pleasure gardens or settle into your rooms?”
I recalled what Fauna had said about the twilight gardens and my stomach did a nervous flip. If Wrath and I snuck off now, I would miss the opportunity to meet the rest of his family.
Not to mention, I wasn’t sure being alone with him where seduction was being served for public consumption was a wise idea.
As if he’d plucked the thought from my mind, he added quietly, “Pride will make his grand entrance at the masked ball tomorrow. Sloth will slip in right before the fear ceremony. Greed and Envy will arrive fashionably late this evening.”
“And Lust?”
“I imagine he’s here and is indulging. While he tends to siphon feelings of happiness to enhance his power, he does participate in carnal temptations when they’re offered to him. These parties tend to feed his sin on multiple levels.”
I glanced toward the veranda, where a set of doors were thrown open and a cold breeze blew snowflakes in from the patio beyond. Tiny flickering silver orbs floated in the darkness.
Going to my bedchamber was the best decision, yet I found myself saying, “Let’s take a quick stroll through the garden.”
Unsurprisingly, Gluttony’s idea of a pleasure garden was quite literal. We walked past lovers barely hidden in the shadows, the sounds of their bare skin slapping against each other and breathy moans created a strangely haunting symphony. I did my best to keep my attention fixed on the torchlit path in front of us, not daring to seek out writhing shadows near the hedges.
Wrath, as always, seemed unaffected.
“Have you toured the gardens before?” I immediately wished I hadn’t asked.
“Yes.” He gave me a sidelong glance. “I always survey the grounds to ensure there’s no hidden threat.”
Almost on command, a woman screamed her lover’s name.
“Of course.” I rolled my eyes. “It certainly sounds as if there’s danger here.”
“Hidden armies, unwelcome guests, clandestine meetings between scheming Houses.” Wrath leaned close and dropped his voice. “A lot can happen in the dark, my lady.”
“He’s not wrong.” The Prince of Lust’s grin bordered on feline as he stepped into our path and stretched his arms above his head, exposing a sliver of golden skin above his trousers. His charcoal eyes drank me in, then spit me out with disinterest. “Hello again, little darling.”
“Lust.” Despite the inner voice urging me to run, I held my ground. All of my senses heightened as I waited for that first lick of his soul-crushing influence. “I would say it’s nice to see you again, but…”
I lifted a shoulder, letting the rest go unsaid.
“I will have to remedy that. Later.” He turned to his brother. There was no anger or glint of retribution in his expression. As far as I was aware, the last time they saw each other, Wrath had stuck a dagger in his chest. “I need a word. Privately.”
Wrath hesitated before nodding once. He turned to me. “I’ll stop by your chamber later. Unless you’d like me to escort you there now.”
“No.” I shook my head, grateful for the excuse to leave Lust and his troublesome influence. “I’m sure I’ll find my own way back.”
Wrath nodded, but didn’t move to follow his brother. I felt his gaze on me until I turned the corner. Halfway down the next path, a servant appeared. Wrath, no doubt, had managed to arrange our meeting. “Lady Emilia, if you’ll follow me. I can show you to your chambers.”