He looks at me. “Yes, but there’s also more. I don’t feel like myself.”
My stomach tightens. “What do you mean?”
“It’s hard to explain. It’s almost as though I’m weaker than I was before. It’s not fatigue or hunger. It’s something else.”
I rub my face as I digest Lucca’s confession. He’s one of the most powerful blueblood vampires, second only to his uncle. If his strength is deserting him because of the curse, does that mean it’s the same for King Raphael? If they’re both weaker, how long until the enemy learns this and launches a full-on attack?
“Maybe the High Witch can give you something or knows a spell.”
Lucca grimaces. “I don’t trust Daveena. I saw her wearing a piece of my mother’s jewelry the other day. When I confronted her, she lied and said my mother had gifted her the jewelry, but I know for a fact that Mom gave that ring to Manu years ago.”
“Do you think she could be a spy?”
“I don’t know if she’s a spy or just a greedy human.”
“Have you told the king this?”
“Yes. He didn’t seem worried about it.”
King Raphael isn’t a fool. Perhaps Daveena is harmless, or she got the ring from Manu. I can’t imagine the High Witch would risk her position just to steal jewelry.
We finally cross the gate into the inner courtyard, but my thoughts are far away, with Cheryl. I glance at the dark sky. I still have hours before sunrise.
Lucca looks over his shoulder. “Are you coming inside?”
“In a minute. Go on. I’ll find you later.”
Once he disappears inside the building, I head out once more. I won’t be able to relax if I don’t see Cheryl tonight. It’s a compulsion I can’t fight. I retrace Lucca’s steps and easily pick up her scent. It’s strong, and she was in her human form, which means she probably hasn’t gone far.
Before I can talk myself out of going after her, I take off, running as fast as I ever have in my life. My pulse is racing, and all my senses are homed in on her scent. I could have easily found out where Solomon placed her and Karl, but I was afraid that, if I had that knowledge, I wouldn’t be strong enough to stay away. My actions tonight are proving that, when it comes to her, I’m weak.
I slow down when I hear her. She’s… fuck. She’s crying.What did you expect, Ronan?Lucca denied her request, and she must want it desperately to have swallowed her pride and asked him. I should leave, but I can’t.
“Go away,” she tells me.
Naturally, she knows I’m nearby.
“No.” I shorten the distance between us and find her sitting on the ground, resting her back against a tree. She’s dressed from head to toe, but it’s the middle of winter, and wolf shifterscanfreeze to death if they aren’t in their wolf forms.
“You have no authority over me.” She lifts her chin in defiance. “I’m no longer your pet.”
I drop into a crouch in front of her. “You were never anyone’s pet, and neither was Karl.”
She snarls, showing me her fangs. “Don’t you dare speak his name.”
I clench my jaw hard. They think I did something terrible, and I can’t figure out what. But now is not the time to probe, not when Cheryl is on the verge of shifting and attacking me.
“You can’t stay here like this. Can’t you feel the cold seeping through your clothes?”
“I feel nothing ever since I left your precious king’s castle.”
“I don’t want you to freeze to death. Lucca told me why you sought him out.”
Her face crumples. “Honestly, it’d be easier to just go to sleep and never wake up. Then I wouldn’t have to see my dear brother waste away in his agony. Tell me, Ronan. Was it worth it?”
“Waswhatworth it, Cheryl?” I grit out, frustrated. “I can’t make sense of your words.”
Tears roll down her cheeks, and my heart shrinks at the sight. “I thought you cared about me. But I was only playing second fiddle to your princess.”
