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“I’m sure you’ll figure it out.” Standing up, she pushed her glasses up her nose and checked the time. “It’s five-thirty. Chop chop.”
“Ysa,” I said, making her pause with her hand on the door. She looked at me over her shoulder. “Thank you. For all of it.” She dipped her chin to the side, then exited, leaving me alone in my thoughts.
That felt like a dangerous place to be.
I owed Danni so much. An apology. An explanation. The truth. Multiple truths, it would seem. More than just the admission of my feelings for her. How could I tell her I loved her, and in the same breath, tell her my reaction to Mathis killing my sister was the reason her father died? I’d heard the pain she felt when she’d told me about him. I was the one who’d put it there. I didn’t know if that was something that was forgivable.
I leaned back, turning my head to gaze out the expansive window. The sun was beginning to set over the horizon, laying a blanket of darkness over the mountains. Danni wouldn’t expect me back yet. Not until seven. I had time.
I just needed to figure out how to say it all and not break her heart all over again.
CHAPTER 23
Dannika
Tick. Tick. Tick.
Minute by minute, the first hour crawled by.
Then the second.
The clock’s hands kept moving around its face.
Nine.
Ten.
Eleven . . .
Why wasn’t he here?
I looked at Nova and her eyes met mine before she looked at the door.
“Yeah,” I agreed. “Let’s go look for him.”
He was a king. He was busy running an entire House. He was just late, that’s all.
The halls were silent this time of night, but I knew vampires were working behind the scenes. This mansion was always in motion, one way or another. Elias’s spicy scent was everywhere, filling my nostrils but not leading me in one particular direction.
Nova and I passed the library, but after a quick search, it was empty. We headed to the throne room, but I only found Marisa and Uriah working on something. Poking my head in, I cleared my throat.
“Good evening, Dannika,” Marisa said, smiling and gesturing to the table. “Would you like to join us? It’s not exciting, I’m afraid, but you’re welcome to give us some input. Just some building plans for future developments on Blood and Beryl territories. I’d love to get your take on interior additions you would find useful.”
I forced a polite smile. “I have to decline for now, but maybe tomorrow if you’re available. I was actually wondering if Elias was in here. I had . . . something to discuss with him.”
“I haven’t seen him since this morning,” she said, turning to Uriah. “You?”
“Afraid not. But . . .” He paused, opening a notebook that was on the table. He dragged his finger down, reading before he looked up. “He had late afternoon meetings with Bianca, Ysa, and Katie, in that order.”
A touch of excitement filled me. Hopefully Katie could lead me to wherever he was.
“Thanks,” I said, giving them a half wave and leaving as quickly as I could. I didn’t miss the confused looks on their faces as I practically ran out.
I walked briskly and Nova kept pace beside me, pointing her nose in the air every now and then. I knew his main office was on another level, so we trekked up the stairs in a hurry, rounding a corner without slowing down.
Crash.
I collided with a body, tumbling to the ground with a loud thud. Nova huffed loudly, nudging my arm like she was reminding me to be careful. I know, I know. I need to slow down. Groaning, I pushed myself up and dusted my pants off. Katie was sprawled out, papers littering the floor. She brought herself to a sitting position. “I’m so sorry,” I blurted out, holding my hand out to her to help her up.
