Page 9 of Forbid Me

When Pan had been in his madness, many of the shifters in Arcadia who were stuck in their shifter forms succumbed to madness. Panthera had avoided most of the darkness, being settled in the far regions of Arcadia with a strong king who had godling blood. Pan's grip loosened when he found his queen. Now Arcadia was rebuilding and, with these negotiations, Panthera would grow in power.

Eventually, Nova and I made our way to the compound entrance of Blood and Beryl. With a silent understanding, we slowed our pace and made our way toward the grand entrance. Nova's amber eyesmet mine for a moment before she turned and trotted away into the darkness.

I shifted back into my human form, the transition smooth and familiar. I grabbed my clothing from where I'd left the articles. I tried to shield my naked body, not out of modesty—I wasn't shy—but out of respect. Still, the women of Blood and Beryl were unapologetic as they craned their heads to get a good look.

I moved through the lavish gathering, my senses attuned to the opulent surroundings—the scent of perfumed air, the soft rustle of elegant garments, the flicker of candlelight casting shadows on the polished floors. Yet, amid the extravagance, I felt like an outsider.

Nova moved to stand by Dani's side. Seeing the two of them together, they were like two halves to a whole that forged to make a complete unit. There was an uncanny intelligence in the wolf's eyes, while there was a feral glint in the woman's.

Dion approached me, a teasing smile on his lips and two women on his arms. One of the women dislodged from him and approached me. I turned away. Eventually, she got the hint. Dion sent the other one off and looked at me with a huff.

"Do you not understand the term wing man?"

"We're here for diplomatic reasons."

"I can read a contract and fuck at the same time."

He could. More than one servant had made the mistake of going into his office without knocking first.

As I was deciding whether or not to open my mouth for a comeback, my king's expression shifted. The humor faded as a spark ignited in his cobalt eyes.

Immediately, I used my body to block him from the sight of others. I spoke to him in a low voice, making nonsensical statements. My words didn't matter. My position did. I needed to make our interaction look as normal as possible while a vision overtook him, leaving him momentarily vulnerable.

When Dion returned from the vision, his gaze locked on to mine.It was a silent acknowledgement that he was back in full control of his facilities and I could stand down. I didn't move a muscle.

Dion's gaze shifted from mine and found the vampire king's.

"You saw it too?"

Elias nodded. "There's a new portal about to open in No Man's Land, in a place called the Crossroads. We'll need to make an envoy there. But this won't disrupt our dealings, King Dion."

"Of course not." Dion smiled his charming smile, but it didn't reach his eyes. When the vampire turned his back, Dion turned back to me. "I need you to get there now."

I nodded, needing no reason, but the one he gave me had my brows raising.

"There's a woman there. She's in the midst of the chaos. She doesn't belong there. She belongs in Panthera, on the throne."

Dion's voice still had some of the awe of the vision, but one thing was clear to me: my king had sensed his mate.

"Bring her to me, Oz."

"I swear it will be done."

CHAPTER FIVE

Stella

The morning sun peeked through my bedroom window, casting a warm glow over the disheveled sheets. I groaned as I stretched, feeling the aftermath of last night's indulgence in ice cream, facials, and my friends' unwavering support. A pang of sadness still lingered in my chest over the breakup, but I refused to let it consume me.

The vision from last night remained fuzzy in my head, like a half-remembered dream that slipped through my grasp. I blamed it on the hangover, the emotional turmoil of the breakup, and the pounding headache that throbbed behind my eyes. Today was shaping up to be a challenging one, and I needed to get my shit together.

Work had piled up, and I couldn't afford to fall behind. Usually, in times like these, I'd call Ken over for some cuddles, a bit of making out, and an orgasm—he was a master at finger-fucking—andcuddles again. It was our secret recipe to clear my mind and sharpen my predictive abilities. But today was different. Today, I refused to be weak, to seek relief or release in his arms.

I wanted to prove to myself that I was a strong, independent woman who didn't need a man to bolster her powers. Or maybe I was just too proud to admit that I missed him. Regardless, I was determined to face the day on my own terms.

Slipping out of bed, I padded out of my bedroom and into the kitchen. First things first, and that was coffee. While I waited for the brew to bubble me a cup of magic, I took in my domain.

My home, nestled in the heart of the Crossroads, was a luxurious haven amidst the gritty reality of our world. As a witch with the ability to foresee the future, my services were in high demand, and my employer, a powerful figure in the supernatural world, made sure I lived in comfort.

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