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“And if I have my offspring? Will the risk of that suffering end?”
The seer nodded. “Then there might be a chance, as long as you keep that offspring protected no matter what. Here.”
Klaus stared at the necklace in his palm. “What is this?”
“It will remind you what’s in store for you. It’s the last help I can give you.”
Sapphire watched the seer bid goodbye, refusing to stay no matter how Klaus demanded more information. She watched as he gripped the necklace harder and tossed it down the mountain, but it just kept showing up whenever he least expected it. Finally, he stored it in this tower, deliberately burying it under his pile of books so he wouldn’t have to look at it—an indication that he didn’t need the necklace as a reminder because he would never forget the seer’s words. Everything faded to black after that, bringing Sapphire back to reality.
And she had never felt colder than she did now.
She shivered hard as everything fell into place: the way Klaus had kidnapped Rosa in desperation, how he protected his people and brought in questionable creatures as his guests…how he refused to touch her at the risk of harming her baby.
There might be a chance, as long as you keep that offspring protected no matter what.
The seer’s words rang in her mind as an ache spread through her heart. Klaus hadn’t lied to her, per se, but he had hidden so much of the truth and left her in the dark. He had used her from the start, but toward the end…
She closed her eyes and rubbed her chest, willing the hurt away and for her heart not to break. She sifted through the memories of their time in Oslo, from being enemies to being unable to get enough of each other—to this, where he could barely keep himself from locking her up for her safety. When she opened her eyes, things became clearer, the clarity bringing with it a shot of hope and desperation.
And Sapphire understood what she had to do.
Chapter 14
Dinner was a less tense affair, mostly because Silver was no longer taking jabs at Klaus and the Sutton women had warmed up on him during their few days of stay. Even Rosa had deemed it fine to engage him in conversation, a few of which had made them realize they were not compatible at all, and a union would have ended up in misery. They smiled at each other, connected by that understanding, before returning to listening to Pearl make her toast.
“It has been an interesting few days, to say the least, and I don’t think I’m alone in thinking that we have overstayed our welcome…for now. Sapphire needs her rest—minus all the hovering and carrying, of course—and even Klaus deserves some time to absorb the fact that he has earned himself a bunch of annoying, high-spirited—and very powerful—siblings by law.”
“I already absorbed it,” Klaus said dryly, but willingly raised his hand for the toast. “And you’re welcome to return.”
“Oh, we will return,” Pearl assured, mischief sparkling. “With a proper announcement next time.”
The other siblings agreed, including Silver, who quietly drank from his glass and glanced at Klaus. Klaus glanced back, maintaining eye contact until they simultaneously looked away. There was no warning in Silver’s gaze but no nod of approval either, which was fine by him. They would get there.
He glanced at Sapphire next, noting her put down her drink untouched and play with her food. She didn’t return his gaze, even when he glimpsed her shoulders stiffening in awareness that she was being watched. The conversation went on and she did the basic motions of listening and responding, but…something was off.
An hour or two later, they were hugging goodbye, with Silver and Rosa leaving first. While the remaining sisters embraced and left reminders to Sapphire, Emerald strode toward him.
“You know, I imagined myself being pregnant with your child for just a minute there,” she declared in a low voice.
“Oh? And?”
She shook her head and shuddered. “I can’t believe I thought an arranged union to get back at my ex was the most logical solution. It was the most stupid idea there was.”
“It was. Not the union part, but getting back at your ex that way. You could have just resorted to blackmailing me so I would kill him.”
Emerald’s eyes widened before humor filled them. “Killing’s too extreme. Besides, one good thing came out of the bargain.”
She glanced at Sapphire pointedly. He bit back a grin, the seal of approval lightening his body. One down, a few more to go. She waved, and Pearl took over to threaten him in a sweet tone if he ever attempted to hurt their sister. Ruby and Maddox were calmer, exchanging handshakes with him before the party finally left.
He turned to Sapphire, studying her melancholic look, and stepping closer. Before he could reach her, she sidled away and avoided his gaze.
“I have something to do,” she blurted out.
“Potions?”
“Just something.”
Klaus tried to figure her out, but again, she turned her face away before he could see through her.
