Nudity wasn’t scandalous here, but Wrath’s reaction to what I had planned should get demons in this circle talking. I knew the moment Wrath spotted me across the crowd of gamblers—his attention was scorching, palpable. I ignored him completely and sidled up to Lust. The temperature around us chilled a degree or two, but I still didn’t spare my betrothed a glance. He had his part to play, and I had mine. My sister’s life might very well depend on whether I could avoid signing that blood oath and gather information to clear her from guilt.
“Having any luck, your highness?” I leaned over the felt table next to Lust, knowing anyone standing close would get a clear view of my backside and a glimpse of my breasts as they moved against the pearls. Predictably, Lust allowed his attention to linger everywhere it shouldn’t.
I sensed the slightest bit of his sin, though it felt as if he were keeping it at bay. He truly did fear his brother. I supposed a House dagger to the chest left quite the impression. An inconvenience I’d have to overcome. Wrath and I both needed Lust’s sin for this scene to work.
“Seems it just turned.” He flashed a smile, then looked back at the table. Next to him, a male demon with an exceptional amount of gold stole a glance at me. On his right hand was what appeared to be a signet ring. He had to be upper nobility, which made him perfect for this game.
I gave him a coy smile as I leaned into Lust. “Who’s your friend?”
Lust drew back from his roll and followed my gaze. “The Duke of Devon. One of Greed’s top advisers.”
My smile grew. “Pleasure to meet you, your grace. I’m—”
“There’s not a demon in here that doesn’t know who you are, Lady Emilia.” Devon grinned. Too bad for him it actually seemed sincere. “Have you ever played Dead Man’s Pride?”
I watched another demon blow on the dice and toss them down the table. “I’m not much for playing games of chance.”
His attention flicked over my top, his look indicating he might be intrigued to know if I preferred a different sort of game instead. “Would you care to indulge me?”
I would rather gouge my eyes out. “I’ll just watch for now. Perhaps, if you’re talented enough, your grace can persuade me otherwise.”
Wrath’s annoyance caused the air to chill slightly again.
I squeezed between Lust and the duke, purposely brushing my hip against the latter’s arm. I turned to Lust and whispered loud enough for Devon to overhear. “Earlier you said something about a present from House Lust.” I sipped my wine, then discarded it before grabbing another full glass. No one seemed to notice I hadn’t completely finished the previous one. I leaned closer to Lust and dropped my voice. “You’ve piqued my curiosity. Is it like your last gift, or will I actually enjoy it?”
“Oh, it’s much better.” Lust fully turned to me, his game forgotten as he took my measure. Whatever he saw in my face must have been convincing enough for him to decide to play. “I can give pleasure without taking. Would you like a little taste?”
“Here?” I glanced toward the duke. He was pretending not to listen, but as he leaned forward in his seat, he seemed quite eager to hear the response.
The Prince of Lust nodded to the stage where several demons danced in various states of undress. One male—who wore nothing but the gems on his member—slowly stroked himself, seeming to enjoy the greedy gazes on him. Another male beside him whispered something in his ear, then bent to take his hard arousal in his mouth, pleasuring the other demon for all to see.
Lust watched me closely. “You could join them up there, experience the power of two sins at once. Those body adornments they wear enhance every sensation. Imagine how those pearls would feel as they slid over sensitive flesh, hitting areas of pleasure inside you never dreamed of.”
I tore my attention back to Lust and flicked it over the Duke of Devon. “I’d prefer to stay here, actually. Could you still give me a taste, or will that distract from the game?”
The mighty chill of Wrath’s anger hit me like a storm a second before he reached my side, and judging from the way several gamblers at the table staggered away and abandoned their game and stack of coins, I wasn’t the only one who’d felt it.
Warm fingers brushed along my wrist. “Emilia.”
“Don’t.” Even though my body screamed otherwise, I shrugged him off. “I’m in the middle of a pleasurable conversation with people who didn’t condemn my twin.” I turned my attention to the duke and gave him a polite smile. “Prince Wrath, please say hello to the Duke of Devon.”