Celeste couldn't ignore the guilt that twisted in her gut when Avond caught her kissing Tiel, even as she sat there, listening to their increasingly vicious bickering—mostly from Avond, who couldn't seem to help himself.
Celeste tried to tell herself there was no need to feel guilty. After all, she was an undercover agent, trying to get Tiel to spill all of his secrets.
She was doing what she was supposed to do. Seduce Tiel.
Liar.
Celeste swallowed, watching closely as the hurt etched itself into Avond's face when he looked at his brother. His voice was a mixture of aggravation, frustration, and hidden anger as he announced that Erickson had asked him to ensure they would marry by the end of the week.
By the end of the week. Celeste felt her heart twist uncomfortably, unsure what to name the feeling inside her—a mixture of shock, fear, sadness, and sour grief.