Page 80 of Secrets & Curses of Cerithia

“Two,” my father bit back.

“Deal.” Cassius smiled like he got more time than he thought he would. “I guess you’ll have to postpone the wedding.”

“We can just do it now,” Jesper said harshly.

“Over my dead body.” Cassius came up and grabbed my hand, his thumb rubbing my skin in a quick, gentle movement. He held up a pair of iron cuffs and then attached them to my wrists.

“Take these magic barbs off of her, now.”

Jesper did what he asked but did so roughly that I started bleeding again. Cassius’ eyes watched Jesper closely, and as soon as his hands were off mine, he stumbled backwards as Cassius punched him square in the face. He then wrapped Jesper up in his shadows, his smile menacing as Jesper called out in pain.

“I should gut you right this second.” But instead, he tossed Jesper across the room. Jesper bounced onto the floor after hitting the wall.

I watched Jesper hold his bleeding nose, his eyes wild with anger. I saw his fingers bent at odd angles from Cassius’ shadows. My lips twitched at the sight of him as he cradled his mutilated fingers.

“If you touch him, if you even think about it, I will make your life more unbearable than you could ever imagine.” Jesper glared at me.

“Someone’s possessive,” Cassius whistled mockingly. “Are you ready, little viper?” He spoke the term of endearment just to piss off Jesper, and it worked.

“You have no idea what you’ve done.” Jesper looked at Cassius. “Wait until I have her back and I send pieces of her back to you until there is nothing left of this Crimson whore.”

My eyes flashed back to Cassius, who was very still, his jaw and fists clenched tightly at Jesper’s threat. Cassius gripped his dagger in his hand, and it was obvious that he was contemplating killing Jesper right then. Before he could move, Jesper was lying flat on his back as Haden’s frost shot at him and hit him in the chest. When my eyes found Haden, his face was full of so much anger and rage that I took a hesitant step backward.

Cassius stepped forward, shielding me from Jesper.

“Oh, I know what I’m doing, Jesper. You won’t declare war without her. I just bought myself two extra months of preparations for when you do declare. When I return her to you, Jesper, it will be without her magic barbs, and I hope she uses that chance to rip the limbs from your body.”

Cassius returned to me and took my hand in his softly. I could feel my magic stirring as I realized the cuffs he placed on me didn’t smother my magic.

“Oh, Luren, I almost forgot. I brought you a lovely gift as a congratulations for your daughter's engagement.” He dropped my hand. He got my father a gift. Haden smiled as Cassius grabbed a sack from Kace. Was that blood dripping out of it? Cassius’ eyes flicked to mine, and he gave me a menacing smile as he reached into the bag and pulled Lavtan’s severed head from it. Cassius tossed it to my father. The disgusting thudding noise of Lavtan’s head hitting the table Luren was sitting at made me recoil.

“What the fuck?” The queen screamed.

“I brought your friend to you,” Cassius said with a smile as he crossed his arms over his chest. “A traitor of Crimson. Someone who will never help you take what belongs to me again.” My father’s eyes glanced at me as Cassius walked up to me, his shadows caressing me gently. He leaned in and softly, sensuously pressed his lips to mine.

Before anyone could respond, black shadows rose up and swirled around us. When they disappeared, we were standing back in Crimson. I looked over to see a room full of people staring at me. The king, the queen, Cassius’ siblings, and even the guards. They all smiled when they saw me, but I couldn’t smile back.

I looked at Cassius, who was staring at me oddly. His golden eyes dim in color.

“How long?” The king finally broke the tension.

“Two months,” Cassius answered without looking away from me.

“I was expecting only a month, so that’s good.” His dark eyes looked at me. “Welcome home, Thea.”

But I said nothing. I wasn't sure if I was in shock or if the poison from Jesper's blade still lingered in my mind.

Cassius frowned at me briefly before looking away.

“Let’s get you situated,” he sighed and grabbed my hand, slipping the cuffs off. I pulled it away from him but followed. I knew where he was taking me, and I didn’t want to stay there. I stopped and refused to move when he looked back at me.

“I will stay somewhere else. You are staying inourroom," he spoke as if he heard my thoughts.

Fine. I would stay if he were not. Anger was simmering in my chest. I started walking again, and he followed me this time. My body burned in agony. The pain of beatings and torture made me ache all over. I needed a hot shower and sleep. My fire mist rose up and swarmed around me, happy to be free. I couldn’t control it right now, even if I wanted to. Then I felt it—happiness followed by sadness—through the bond. I turned to see my fire mist swirling around Cassius, caressing him like it had missed him.

His eyes found mine, but I turned away from him and continued up the stairs. I hated that I instantly relaxed when I stepped into the space. It smelled like night and rain. It smelled like home, and that pissed me off. I stopped and turned when Cassius followed me inside.

“You shouldn't have taken me!"

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