“At least for now.” Lucie looked up at Derrick and smiled.
“I was wondering if someone could take Jasper to where I was taken. I’m going to need him on the front line while I’m away.” Derrick frowned slightly. He wasn’t sure how long he would be staying away. For now, he was going to test things out. But it meant sending Jasper to the front to take command in his absence. It wasn’t the ideal thing to do in the middle of the war, but given the situation, he wasn’t going to have his fiancée fighting off rumors. He needed to deal with Stella andthe rumors about him, as well as the rumors about Ryan and Amanda.
“I’ll take him there,” Lee said. “I need to check the area a bit more for signs of Wicker. The coward is masking himself with crystals. It’s the only explanation.”
“Same as Ken,” Alexa snorted out.
“We’ll flush him out eventually.” Reiya patted her daughter’s back encouragingly. She knew all of this was tough on her daughter, but there wasn’t anything they could do. Lee would have to find Ken or he would have to show himself on his own.
“So, back to the vampire kingdom again?” Lucie turned toward Derrick, who kissed her forehead.
“Yes, it’s time to show my face publicly. I won’t tolerate rumors like this. The royal family is built upon a pillar of faith and trust. I won’t allow there to be a weakness that crumbles it.” Derrick’s voice was firm and authoritative. “Let’s go and let the others know.”
Besides … I want to be in our own room for when round two begins,he said in Lucie’s mind in a low, husky voice.
“Jasper,you promise you’ll be careful?” Lucie frowned. “If Abe had his energy restored, I would send him with you.”
“Hey! I’m insulted. No offense, Abe.” The prince’s nickname had officially stuck. “I am perfectly capable of handling the situation there. It’s my turn for some action anyway.” Jasper grinned widely. He was excited to be able to get back on the front lines and test his skills without the djinn.
“Tell my soldiers I’ll be back. Tell them who I am … the real me. They’ll understand.” Derrick rubbed the back of his neck.“Probably too well. I’m afraid they’ll be too protective over me when I come back.”
“I’ll handle everything. You just take care of the things in the kingdom.” Jasper turned and slapped Aedan on the back. “Take care of yourself. And Justice … make sure you keep them on their toes.”
“And when you come back, we’ll stir up trouble for the royals.” Justice placed his hand on Jasper’s shoulder. “Kill some freaks for me.”
“Ready?” Levi asked, and Jasper nodded.
“I’ll see you all soon. And when I find this witch … well, if I find her, she will cease to exist.” A wicked grin formed on Jasper’s lips.
“I’ll make a few rounds with a couple of my soldiers,” Brian said and looked up at his father, Xander, to see him nodding his head in agreement. “So don’t run in fear when you see our towering shadows above you.”
Jasper chuckled. “I’ll try not to.” He turned his head and gazed at Lucie one last time before walking out of the room with Levi.
It didn’t matter who was going to fight. Lucie felt conflicted. Jasper was family to her. She couldn’t bear to have something happen to him. She wanted to be with him so she could help protect him. She hated that people were out fighting to protect her. It felt wrong. She had a warrior’s heart. She wasn’t like her great-grandmother Alice. She was a fighter.
Derrick pulled her back into his chest and wrapped his arms around her. “He’s going to be fine. And we have our own fight to deal with.” He pressed his lips into the side of her temple and rubbed his nose in her hair.
Reiya’s icy blue eyes met Abe’s dark gaze. “What happened before … let’s leave that in the past. I believe I got my family’s revenge for what happened. We don’t need to continue hatingyou anymore. Protect her. Take care of her. And don’t ever betray her …”
“I don’t deserve your benevolence. You don’t owe me that. I’m not sure killing me once makes up for everything?—”
“It doesn’t matter anymore. That part is over. There is only one thing we need to do with you.” Reiya tapped her chin thoughtfully.
“What’s that?” Abe asked with a small frown.
“We have to change that scent,” Brody said with a loud snort. He knew exactly what Reiya was thinking. “I have no hard feelings either … you know, dying and coming back. You ever hurt my family though …”
Abe nodded his head in acknowledgment. “I know my word doesn’t mean much, but I wouldn’t. And I can’t. It’s impossible for me to betray Lucie or Derrick.”
“Can we change his scent?” Lucie asked her aunt. After all, anise wasn’t her favorite scent either.
“Why do you smell like anise?” Alexa asked, scrunching her nose.
“It’s just my scent. I was born with it,” Abe said quietly.
“Are you attached to the scent?” Reiya asked, and he shook his head. “Well then, I think a change is in order. I think it would be better for Mom if you smelled different, too.”
“Oh, I have an idea!” Brian said, flicking a glance at his father. His eyes glazed over and Xander chuckled and nodded his head. “I’ll be right back.”
