AllFreeNovel
Share Us
He stands, releasing my face and offering me a hand to rise. I take one more look at myself before leaving my chambers with Nyx by my side. He slides his hand into mine as we walk down the quiet hallway to Theo’s cell. My heart thunders in my chest with each step closer.
Down the hall from the cell, Nyx pulls me into a hug, and I take a deep breath, trying to ease my anxiety. It doesn’t help. Waves of panic crash through my body, causing my shadows to swirl. My mind plays the worst-case outcomes in a loop.
Nyx kisses my forehead before releasing me, and I walk the remaining distance to Theo alone. He sits in his chair, hunched forward with his elbows braced on his knees, clearly waiting for my arrival. As soon as I cross the iron bars, Theo stands, taking long strides to meet me at the door.
He scans my face, eyebrows drawn tight together. “What’s wrong?” he asks, grabbing my hip and pulling me close. I rise onto my toes and cup his face, kissing him softly. His body pulsates with tension under my touch. For a fleeting moment, I contemplate not telling him again. I break the kiss, reminding myself he should be able to choose what happens next.
“Walk with me,” I say with a forced smile. I turn to head out the front entrance, but his grip tightens around my waist. His honey eyes pierce through me when I look back.
“I’m ok. New information that changes things has come to light,” I say, rubbing a hand over his arm. Taking every opportunity to touch him as if it’s my last. “Let’s go talk.”
Theo gives a small nod before loosening his grip. His hand finds mine as we walk to the bridge over the pool in silence and take a seat.
“What’s going on? I’m worried,” Theo rubs his chest, “I think I’ve been feeling you all day. Here.” He takes my hand and puts it to his heart. My shadows caress his chest and my own heart flutters.
“What’s got you so on edge?” His voice is soft and pleading.
I close my eyes and take a deep breath.He’s my Amari. If Junie believed me, he surely will.The pep talk doesn’t stop the little voice in my head, reminding me that the beast never gets the prince.
“We’ve known for a while that Leopold has been planning some sort of attack on Umbra. It’s why he claimed we stole an amulet,” I start, confirming what he already knows. He nods, giving my hand a small squeeze of encouragement. But no amount will quell the dread of having to tell him what Junie told me at the tavern.
“He sent all his men to a sure death and blamed Umbra for their demise. It seems that he went a step further and accused Asher of torturing and murdering you before dumping your body at the king’s doorstep,” I reveal.
“What? Obviously, I’m not dead. That’s an easy fix, my queen. We can go to Lux, prove he lied, and put an end to all of this once and for all,” he says, kissing my knuckles. The gesture nearly rips me in two.
“Theo, you can’t go back to Lux. There was a kingdom-wide funeral to honor your sacrifice. He’s using you as a martyr to come after us. Everyone thinks you’re dead. If you step foot in Lux, you will be a threat to Leopold’s honor and he will execute you for it,” I say, my panic increasing. The thought of Leopold getting his hands on Theo makes my shadows claw against my skin.
Theo’s eyes race back and forth, a clear sign his beautiful mind is working through different strategies. “What if we prove two lies at once? Then it may be too big of a mess for the king to deny. What if we found the amulet and used that as barter? Return something lost for my life to be restored in Lux. I think that could work,” he says with a hopeful spark in his eyes.
“We already found the amulet, Theo.” A sly smile spreads across his face as if his plan is all coming together.
“Where was it?”
“Hidden inside a trove safe in the trade post of Lux,” I answer as my stomach twists into a tight knot. Theo’s head falls, and he rubs his temples.
“Of course it was. Safely tucked away from sight. It’s some worthless gemstone, isn’t it?” He huffs a laugh as his eyes lift back to me. I run a finger along the smooth edge of my necklace, willing it to calm my racing heart. Theo’s gaze narrows on it instantly.
“Where did you get that?” his voice and fingers tremble as he reaches for my neck. He strokes the multi-colored gemstone delicately with his thumb. “This was Lily’s. It was buried with her mother.”
“This is the amulet Leopold said we stole. It’s a message to me. A reminder that he knows who and what I am,” I say, grabbing Theo’s hand and holding it in my lap. His lips part in a shaky breath.
“How does he know about you? I thought no one knew you existed,” he asks, uncertainty in his voice.
“He was Oren’s partner in everything. He helped to get me here and break me. Part of my deal is with him.”
He looks like he is trying to process the new information, but it isn’t quite reaching him.
“Even if that’s the case, what does Lily’s necklace have to do with you? I don’t understand.”
“Do you ever wonder why you and Junie have a hard time remembering details about Lily?” I ask as gently as I can.
“Grief. It’s why my memories of my mother are so faded, too. The pain is so great my mind refuses to allow those thoughts to be clear,” he answers matter-of-factly.His mother?
I shake my head gently.
“No, Theo. It’s not grief. Leopold gave you both an elixir to make you forget. He stole your memories because he couldn’t risk you knowing me,” I say, my voice cracking. Theo slides his hand from mine, shaking his head.
He will feel the threads. He trusts me.
