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“I don’t know. Out creating mayhem, I assume. So I grabbed it and ran.”
I don’t know what to say. “That was incredibly risky. Were you seen? Did anyone chase you?”
“No problems at all. Since we need this piece badly, I’ve been planning to take it for days. I’ve let you down your whole life. I couldn’t let you down anymore. You can trust me. I want Marrok to know that, as well.”
Richard suddenly envelopes me in a big hug. He’s cold, but wrapped in his embrace, my heart stutters with something bittersweet. He cares about me, my happiness. I feel his acceptance. Yet…I no longer yearn for it the way I crave Marrok’s.
When he pulls away, I smile. “You risked so much, but now we’re in the driver’s seat with the diary. We can do anything.”
“Exactly. So let’s get the diary open and end your mate’s curse.”
“Do you know how?”
“I believe I do. Bring me the book and your half of the key. We’ll do it together.”
Marrok’s warnings about my father whip through my head. As much as I want to believe the man…I really don’t know him well. Sure, what I read in the history books reassures me. And since our first meeting, my father has tried to show he cares, despite Marrok’s interference.
“Why are you frowning? This is cause for joy!”
He’s right, and I can’t be selfish. Marrok will be happy to finally leave this life. I need to let him go. Besides, if the man doesn’t love me, I’m better off without him. It just doesn’t feel that way right now. But I’m stronger than I used to be. Knowing I’ve helped Marrok achieve his deepest wish will give me comfort.
I manage to nod and paste on a plastic smile. “I’ll go get Marrok.”
Upstairs, I push our bedroom door open wide. In the middle of the room, Marrok stands tall and damp from his shower. At the sight of him, my breath catches.
He looks so vital. His nose casts a bold statement above sensual lips, edged by his goatee and sun-bronzed skin. His body ripples after spending all day training wizards so they’ll help him protect me. His long black lashes frame blue eyes smudged by dark circles. Moonlight shadows fan down his cheeks.
The man needs rest, and if all goes well, he may have it—eternally. The thought chokes me up.
I wish I had the courage to tell him I love him. But our magical mating aside, he probably doesn’t want his enemy’s great-great granddaughter for anything beyond a lay and freedom from his hex. Besides, I know from the past how this goes. Blurting out my feelings will only put him on the spot. The awkward hemming and hawing as he retreats will hurt too much.
Fighting the prickling of tears that stab my eyes, I retrieve my half of the diary’s key from the pocket of the jeans I wore earlier and sling it around my neck. Dread multiplies in my gut.
He watches my every move. “What are you doing?”
“My father is outside. He brought the other half of the key. He has the means to open the diary and end your curse.”
Marrok freezes. “He said that?”
“I saw it. I know you don’t trust him, but he’s put himself at great personal risk to help you.”
“Have you asked yourself why?”
I don’t want to have this argument again. “Because you’re my mate. I’m his daughter.”
“A fact that meant precious little to him for twenty-three years. The only reason to free me from this curse is to end my need for the diary. After which he assumes I will give it to him. What do you imagine he plans to do with it?”
Marrok’s suspicious tone says he’s convinced my father is up to something sinister. “It belongs in our family. Since he’s no longer a fan of the Anarki, maybe he wants to hide or destroy it. Ask him.”
“Of course, he will tell me the truth.”
“Sarcasm isn’t helping. If you want to end this curse, you have to talk to him. What can that hurt?”
“Olivia, when it comes to magic, neither of us are experts. We know not what your father is capable of or where his loyalties truly lie.”
“I read the book Sabelle gave me. I know a little something about magic—”
“Basic spells, aye. What your father and Mathias can do is extraordinary.” He caresses my shoulder. “’Tis not my wish to crush your faith in him, but you must be wary.”
