Page 101 of Secrets & Curses of Crimson

“Nothing.” Jesper watched me. “But we have decided to attack Crimson.”

I nodded because if I didn't, my magic would explode from me. My darkness begged to snap their fucking necks to protect what was mine.

“When should the men and I head out?” I didn’t look at them because I worried they would see the anger in my eyes. So, I stared at my plate as I ate.

“Tonight,” Gwyn spoke.

I glanced up at her. Tell me what she’s thinking.

You need to be away from us as much as possible.

“That soon?” I questioned. Did they forget that I had been practically dead for ten days? My father looked me straight in the eyes.

“Yes, you need to break your curse and kill Cassius and all of Crimson’s bloodline.”

Verenna, Cassius, Rylan, Cassius’s mother, Hatta, and the twin boys Sav and Tal popped into my mind. My family. Anger coursed through me, but I refused to let it show.

“Yes, it would be nice to remember,” I answered. “I will prepare the men after I eat, and we will leave so we can arrive at nightfall tomorrow.”

“Good.” My father gave me a smile I knew was reserved for only me. A fake smile that was supposed to make me feel happy, but hatred filled me. I couldn’t wait for the day I plunged my dagger into my father’s heart. In the name of Crimson, in the name of my mother.

I hurried to eat because the tension was odd in the room as they all stared at me. I excused myself and headed to the training fields, excited to see Cassius soon, even if it was only in battle.

Chapter 27

Cassius

Ihad been in these damn woods for two days watching Thea and her men. Why were they out here? Luren had requested a meeting with me and my father for tomorrow, but Thea had been here for two or three days. The hair on the back of my neck stood up when I sensed her close to me. We hadn’t seen each other in too long. She had been avoiding me since the incident with Flora. Della hadn’t come around either. Wisp was missing.

Did she know that I had been out here every day and night watching her? I knew something happened when she saw Flora; something had scared her, and she acted mad at me. But why was she not visiting me anymore? I was worried. Something was going on, and she wasn’t telling me. Did her father say or do something?

I saw her walk out of her tent and glance around the woods. It sent my chest into a frenzy. I wanted her to stophiding from me. She walked the perimeter of her camp, stopping to glance into the woods where I was standing. She had to know I was here. I was never good at hiding from Thea. She was always able to see me.

She disappeared behind a tent, and I didn’t see her emerge. I sent urgency through our bond, hoping that she wouldn’t ignore it and come find me. My eyes lingered where she disappeared, but I didn’t see her again. Damn it. I ran my fingers through my hair and sighed heavily.

“It’s rude to stare,” Thea’s voice came from behind me.

I turned and saw she had her dagger out. But gods above, the moment Thea’s eyes met mine, I felt like I was home. Like my heart and mind found what we had been missing for years.

“Little viper, how did you know I was here?” My eyes dragged over her. Gods, something about her seemed different.

“That’s not important. What is important is that I found you.” She gave me a glare that was not full of anger. I felt relieved; she wasn’t upset with me.

Fuck, I had missed her so damn much. I took a step forward, not worried that she was holding a dagger at me. Her cheeks heated immediately when our eyes connected. Something lurked in their depths. Something familiar andcomforting. Something that I hadn’t seen for years. My heart raced as I stared at her.

“Blushing for me, my love?”

“Fight me,” she demanded. “If you win, I’ll let you go.”

“And if I lose?” I smiled.

“I’ll decide what I’ll do with you.”

Something about her words made my eyes flash black, and lust pumped through me. I charged at her, not giving her any time to think. My daggers were quick and unforgiving. She matched my every move unintentionally. I watched her readjust her stance and smile.

“You’ve been practicing.”

“No, I was taking it easy on you before.” She shook her head.

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