Page 67 of Secrets & Curses of Crimson

“Well, that is why Cerithia and Kizar are at war. Cassius is just trying to bring you home to Crimson.”

Her eyes widened at my comment. Fuck, she was beautiful. My eyes traced over her slowly before looking away. Stars above, I can’t check her out when I am Atticus.

“I know Cassius wants me home,” she sighed.

My brows furrowed.

“Then why are you here?”

Her big green eyes stared at me.

“I have a few things I need to do before I can leave.”

Sheisup to something. What could she be doing that she needed to be here for it?

“Do you need help? I’m sure Cassius would come to help you. You don’t remember, but you two love each other very much.”

The look she gave me made my stomach churn. Luren was such a fucking dick. How could he look at her anguish and not care about her happiness? Finding her happiness was my biggest goal in life.

“I can’t risk Cassius. He needs to stay away from me.”

“But…” I was at a loss for words. “If you’re in danger, he can help you.” Why didn’t she want me to help her? Sadness pumped into me. Did she not trust me?

“You don’t trust Cassius.”

“What? No, I trust Cassius. If I could go to Crimson now, I would.” She paused and took a long breath before looking at me. “I knew my father was a fucking liar the moment I was in his presence for longer than a minute.” Her eyes widened as she looked over my shoulder. “I’m sorry, I forgot your grandson was here. The moment I saw Cassius on the battlefield, everything felt... right.”

I wanted to ask her why she ran from me. Why did she look so devastated when she saw my golden eyes? But there was something in her eyes that made me feel panicked. She looked devastated and heartbroken.

“What’s wrong?”

She looked away from me and shook her head like she was trying to get rid of an unwanted thought. When her pretty green eyes looked at me, I lost my ability to breathe. She was crying.

“I’m scared of Cassius dying.”

The tone of her voice made my heart squeeze. Why would she say that? I had no response to her words. Maybe her father had a plan to kill me or something.

“I will break the curse and bring Sybil home to you. I promise.” She gave a fake smile, and it made me feel like shit because I didn’t know where Atticus even was these days. After Sybil got trapped in Exile, he lost his mind in grief. I didn’t blame him.

I reached forward and squeezed her hand in mine out of habit, but she just gave me a small smile in return.

“You need to stay safe and trust no one in Cerithia. Your father will tell you anything to make you choose him, but he is the wrong choice.”

Her brows furrowed at my words.

“Sybil said I needed to choose right this time.” She frowned. “I didn’t know what she meant, but then she said blue is bad and red is good. Do you think she meant that as the kingdom colors?”

Fucking Sybil, what a magnificent woman. She couldn’t tell Thea outright who to pick, but she still told her something that would be a hint.

“Yes, I believe that is exactly what she meant.” I smiled.

“Thank you, Atticus.” She hesitated. “Do you know Jesper?”

Jealousy instantly made my face redden.

“Yes…”

“Is his mother dead?”

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