Page 36 of Secrets & Curses of Crimson

When I looked back at Della, she was staring at me oddly.

“Sorry, I took over your torture session.” She frowned.

“It’s alright. How did you know what we were doing?”

She tensed again; her eyes flickered at Haden briefly before looking back at me.

“I just sensed that you needed help.”

Haden was still watching her, but Della refused to look back at him.

“Do you know anything about Ravenstone Coven?” Haden asked her.

She shook her head. Her eyes were still solid white. She was struggling with something, but I figured it had something to do with Haden.

“I’m going to go introduce myself to Thea.” Then she left.

Haden stared at where Della had been for a long moment before looking at me. I was tense and fucking irritable. This time was different, and I wouldn’t let anyone stand in the way of getting Thea back.

Chapter 12

Thea

The Crimson army had disappeared. It had been weeks since Cassius got me off in the woods, and we could find no trace of them anywhere. An insistence to search for him took over me the first few weeks, but then I stopped. Cassius was good at hiding, and I would not search like a dog. So, my army waited for him to come out of hiding.

But he never came back. Crimson had vanished into thin air, and their border had doubled its protection. Disappointment filled me. I missed a man who was supposed to be my enemy. For all I knew, this was a sick and twisted game of manipulation on his part, but if it was, I was sick and twisted because he could use me however he saw fit.

Did he think of me too, or was this all a game for him? Fuck, I felt like this was some sort of test he was doing. If I had a way to get to him, I would let him know thathe didn’t need to play this game. I lost any semblance of restraint the first moment I saw him on the battlefield without his helmet on.

My father’s annoyed breath reminded me that I was being scolded and should not be thinking of Cassius. My skin heated as I shook away his memory.

I shouldn’t have been so surprised when my father called us back to Cerithia, but it wasn’t my fault. A waste. That’s what my father called me when I returned this morning. A waste of resources. A waste of his time. A waste of potential. I should have killed Crimson’s bloodline by now.

I stood there and took it because I didn’t care what he thought of me. His words rang through my mind. They bounced around in there, but somehow, I wasn’t surprised by them. It was like my mind could remember the harsh words he had spoken to me before and didn’t let them hurt me. Even now, as he blabbered on, I ignored him.

Images of Cassius and I shot through my mind, but it was as if they weren’t my own thoughts. Gods, longing and lust zapped down my arm. My darkness hummed in approval as the onslaught of Cassius kissing, touching, and saying dirty things to us played through my mind. My cheeks were heating.

“Are you listening?” My father glared.

“Honestly, no.” I stared at him. Oops, didn’t mean to say that out loud. “It’s just that you act as if Crimson's disappearance is my fault. It isn’t my fault that they ran like cowards.” Unless Cassius was running because we were traitors to lust after each other. Then yes, it was a hundred percent my fault. Gods, was he this consumed by thoughts of me too?

My father’s eyes frosted over before Gwyn stepped forward with her hand clenched, as if she would strike me. I wish she would because I would lay her flat on her back with one punch. Fuck, I was more irritable than normal, and I knew Cassius was to blame. I didn’t understand why he disappeared. Was it easy for him to resist whatever connection we had?

“You disrespectful little shit,” Gwyn hissed.

“Oh, shut up,” I scoffed. “If you two think you can do it better, then get your prissy asses out of your castle and go fight this war yourself,” I snapped. My darkness practically chuckled at my reaction. Hatred filled their eyes, but it made me so fucking happy to see.

“Thea!” my father yelled. “Show us respect.”

“I’ll show you respect when you give me the same courtesy.”

“What is your problem?” Jesper asked. This prick was lingering around too damn much.

“You are all ungrateful. That is my problem.” I clenched my fists tightly. “You sent me to war after being home for a day and get pissed off because I haven’t broken a curse? Get off your high horse and fuck off unless you’ll be joining me on the battlefield.”

They all gaped at me as my eyes pulsed red. I could feel the swirls on my skin heating below my uniform.

“I will not take criticism from three fae who have never done a day of hard work in their life, especially about war. This conversation is over, unless you want me to really lose my shit at all of you. I am ready to fight, and I guarantee that you will fucking lose.”

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