"Royal Flush," Elian announced, laying his cards down on the rough wooden table. "Hearts."
Cassian stared at the cards. He looked at his own hand—a pair of twos and three unrelated cards that looked like a tragic accident.
"That is statistically impossible," Cassian said, his eyes narrowing. "You dealt yourself a Royal Flush on the first hand?"
"I have lucky hands, Sire," Elian grinned, shuffling the [Marked Deck] with practiced ease. "The universe favors the bold."
Cassian grabbed Elian's wrist. He flipped the card Elian was holding—the Ace of Hearts. He ran his thumb over the back. There was a tiny, almost invisible scratch in the corner.
"Marked," Cassian growled. "You cheated."
"You said you never lose," Elian countered, leaning forward until their noses almost touched. "You didn't say you played fair. And I believe the terms were 'If I win'. I won."
