Page 41 of Secrets & Curses of Crimson

“When are you going to tell her that you cursed her? You will have to at some point so she can break the curse and fulfill the prophecy,” Della said.

“I know.” It was the one thing I didn’t know how to do. I had to make sure she loved me and would listen. “I think a few more visits, and I’ll tell her. I have to know where her feelings are before I risk saying that to her. I am not losing her again.”

“I’ll let you get ready for her to come. She should be here any minute. I’ll keep checking on her and let you know of any new developments.”

“You can stay,” I told her.

Della frowned at me.

“He would prefer to not see me,” she whispered. Haden didn’t want to be near her, but he would put his anger aside so she could help Thea. But I knew that Della didn’t want to stay and keep getting looks full of hatred from Haden.

“Thank you for helping her.” I smiled, and she nodded before disappearing.

I started pacing back and forth with a new worry. How the fuck was I going to tell her I killed her and have her listen to me? Gods, I felt like I did when I used to follow her around during our previous war and flirt with her. Anticipation filled me. I couldn’t wait to see her. No matter how brief it was, I was happy.

“Cassius!” I heard Haden’s voice boom in the distance. Immediately I left in my swarm of shadows. When I stepped out of them, my heart beat wildly at the sight of her. She was very distraught, her green eyes red and puffy from crying. Her blue uniform made me sick. Blue didn’t suit her. But it was the trail of dark red blood down the front of it that made my vision pulse black. My hands fisted tightly as I tried to control myself. Her pouty lip was cut, and so was her cheek.

“Don’t move.” One of the guards demanded of her. I watched as she lifted her hand, trying to evaporate him with her fire, but nothing came out. I immediately looked at her wrists to see if her magic was bound, but it wasn’t. She was just tired. She had to run for over a day to get here.

“It’s alright, Thea.” Haden stepped forward. She quickly unsheathed her viper-handled dagger and held it toward him. She didn’t realize she had come to Crimson.Disappointment filled me. I shook it away and focused on her. She was sending all sorts of emotions and thoughts down our bond, so many that I couldn’t understand what she was feeling.

“Everyone but Haden, leave,” I demanded without looking away from my wife. Thea’s chest rose and fell quickly, but it was slowing down as she watched me.

“Did you run all the way here to stab me?” Her eyes never left mine. “I admit this is a surprising war strategy, but again, you always had a way of keeping me guessing.”

I smiled at her when she blinked slowly at me. Her pretty green eyes widened, letting me know she liked me flirting with her. Gods, all of the worry I had earlier disappeared when she looked at me like this.

“It was a mistake. I did not mean to cross into your territory. I was just running.” Disappointment filled me again. I took a hesitant step toward her, and she moved her dagger toward me instead of Haden. I lifted my hands to show her I wasn’t going to hurt her.

“Running from someone? Or running to someone?” She didn’t answer. Interesting.

“Or perhaps you are taking me up on my offer? Are you lonely?”

She opened her mouth to speak but shut it after a moment of not finding something to say back, but she didn’tneed to. I could feel her desire through our bond. She lowered her blade. Good, we were making progress.

“We're friends, aren’t we?” she asked Haden.

“Yes.” Haden smiled smugly at me. Why was she asking that? Was she having flashes of memories?

“Haden,” she whispered his name as if she were remembering it. Then she turned her attention back to me. “We’re more than friends.”

“Something like that.” I nodded and smiled at her.

Her green eyes traced over me slowly, and I couldn’t help the longing that flooded me. I missed her so fucking much. She was trying to figure something out in her mind. Talk to me, my love. Ask me more questions so I can understand what you’re thinking. Haden stared at me before looking at Thea. He could tell she was struggling with something too.

She sighed heavily and rubbed her forehead with a soft groan. I tilted my head and tried to see what she was feeling through the bond, but it was as if she blocked me completely. I hated when she did that, even though she didn’t do it intentionally.

“I will leave Crimson. I did not mean to intrude into your territory. This is not a strategic war move. It was simply a mistake,” she finally spoke.

I nodded slowly as I stepped closer to her. Haden moved toward her other side. I needed her to stay a little longer; this was not enough time. Thea’s eyes watched us as we moved toward her.

“Thea,” I whispered as I went to grab her.

She stabbed her dagger into my thigh.

“Fuck!” I groaned and let go of her. “You fucking stabbed me.” I accused.

“I’m so sorry,” she muttered immediately. Guilt filled her eyes as she looked at me bleeding. Haden stood off to the side, dying of laughter at the scene unfolding in front of him.

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