Page 68 of Secrets & Curses of Crimson

What an odd fucking question.

“Umm, yes. She died when he was a baby.”

Her brows crinkled in confusion, letting me know that my answer was not what she expected.

I didn’t want to leave her yet, but I knew I needed to. Before I could stop myself, I asked, “Do you still hate Cassius for killing you?”

Her green eyes widened with a look of longing.

“I’ve never hated Cassius.” Thea’s lips pulled into a frown. “I have to save him.”

Before I could ask her what that meant, she looked panicked.

“Guards are coming.” She stood up, making me drop her hand, and I headed into the woods. I spotted the Cerithian guards making their way toward her. Shit. Quickly, I ducked behind a tree as the little boy followed. I glanced around and saw Thea pulling flowers up, pretending like she hadn’t even noticed the guards; she jumped as if she were surprised.

“Fuck!” She yelled, overly dramatic.

“Sorry, Captain.” They bowed. “We were trying to see where you went.”

They eyed the bouquet of flowers in her hand. My magic simmered. If they tried to hurt her, I would gladly skin them alive.

“What? Is picking flowers forbidden or something? I thought they’d look nice in my sterile room.”

They said nothing to her. “Nice to know my father sent you to spy on me,” she muttered, and I laughed silently at her bad attitude. A moment later she disappeared with them, glancing back to see if they were gone.

When they were out of sight, I breathed heavily.

“Did you tell her you love her or what?” The boy pursed his lips at me.

“No, but I think that worked.”

He held his hand out and gave me a sassylook.

“Pay up.”

“Strictly business, got it.” Laughing, I put his payment into his hand and watched his eyes widen at how much I gave him. “You should go home, and don’t use your magic where others can see it again.”

He nodded and took off like I would take his money right back. Thea’s soul floated close by, and I smiled at her.

“Good idea, little viper.” She twirled around me as if she wanted to hug me but couldn’t. “Let’s hope you listen to Atticus.”

“I have to say, you always were a clever one, Cassius. Truly, I am impressed.”

I turned quickly with my dagger drawn before rolling my eyes when Della stood close by. I hated it when she snuck up on me like that.

“I want this shit to be over.”

“Me too.” She frowned.

I used my shadows to move back to Crimson. When they disappeared, I was standing in the hallway where I was earlier. My eyes narrowed on Della when I realized she was following me.

“What do you want?” I asked suspiciously.

She wrung her hands nervously in front of her. The gesture was not something I had seen from her before.

“Can I ask you something about Haden?” she whispered. I should tell her no. Haden had shared what she didto him, and he was devastated about it. I couldn’t blame him. She killed his sister. But when her star-colored eyes met mine, I saw my own devastation and the longing I had for Thea reflected in hers for Haden.

“I can’t promise you I’ll have an answer.”

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