Page 31 of Omission

Leonardo can teach me to trust again. Show me what love is.

“Are you okay, precious one?”

With a small smile, I unwrap my arms from around him and then step out of his embrace. With a little distance between us, I let him see me. I don’t hide myself or look down or tame my powers. This is me. “Do you promise to always be honest with me?”

“Yes.” No hesitation. A bit of pride in his azure orbs.

“Do you think someday you can fully trust me?”

“Yes. Of that, I have no doubt.”

“Do you have a sweet tooth? Because I haven’t had a good piece of cake since my fifth birthday.”

A sad expression overtakes his features at that, but he still gifts me a genuine smile. “I’ll indulge that addiction every day for the rest of our lives. As your mate, that’s my duty.”

“That’s all I need for now.” What more could I ask for? We don’t know each other yet, but it’s a start. “But now, I need one more thing from you. I’m going to ask you to trust me.”

“What are you…?”

“I’ll be back.” Without giving him a chance to finish his question, I turn and walk over to where Brice stands. He’s a tall fae. Brawny and pompous, the latter of which comes across when he smirks at my nearness, yet before he can say a word, I turn my attention to one of the men holding him. “Sir, what’s your name?”

“Augusto, Miss Anaya.” He looks behind me at Leonardo before giving me a small bow. The soldier beside him does the same, and my guess is they’re part of the Wiccan military. They wear similar colors, something I’ve noticed from each kingdom: they represent the colors or a pendant identifying their kingdom.

Wiccan. Wolf. Vampire.

“Augusto, can you please help the general in your custody down to his knees?”

As if sensing where this is going, a grin tugs at his lips and he nods. “Of course, ma’am.”

“I’ve never had anyone ‘ma’am’ me before. It’s a little weird.” A few people chuckle, and I feel the most amusement come from Leonardo, his bond with me growing the longer we’re in each other's presence. It’s there, just small. Bigger than a kernel, more like a full pebble, and that hope his sister helped nurture clings to it, too. It gives me a reason to believe.

Gods, help me do the right thing. Guide me.

Brice’s knees hit the floor hard a second later, the force sounding painful, but he merely glares at me. Sneers as I take the few remaining steps between us and inhale deeply, that foul stench turning my stomach, and I can’t keep the grimace off my face. “I’d never marry you. Not before. Not ever.”

“You have no choice.”

“I do, and it would never be you. I loathe you.”

“And you’re a traitor.” He spits and it lands near my feet; I’m disgusted by this but let him continue talking. This is the last time I’ll ever be in his presence—I have my piece to say, too. “You let your people die and all because of a mate bond that will never save you. Your father and my sister didn’t die in vain, Anaya.”

“You don’t care about your sister, Brice.” The bullet Isabella pierced into Lilou’s skull is still embedded into the floor beside her body. Her brain matter stains the ground, yet he hasn’t shed a single tear. Hasn’t shown an emotion other than anger over me. “You’re mad that you lost. This is it.”

“I’ll have you.”

“Brice, your scent repulses me. You sicken me.” Reaching beneath the neckline of my dress, I take hold of the necklace he’d forced around my neck and give one hard tug. The chain pops, and I toss the remnants and ring against his chest. It bounces and rolls a bit away from his body but I feel no remorse—I’m lighter now. Can breathe better. “I will never be yours, not by force or choice.”

“You’ll pay for those words, ma princesse. This I vow.”

“No. I won’t.” Then I do something else I’ve wanted to do for years. Rebel. Fight back. Closing my eyes to savor the moment, I pull my leg back and then kick him between his legs with every bit of the strength I possess. It isn’t much, I’m not at a hundred percent, but the way he screams right after my heeled shoe connects with his testicles will forever bring me happiness. “May I never see you again.”

“I’ll kill him before he ever has a chance to, my female.” Leonardo’s warm body presses into my back, giving me someone to lean on. “Get him and the other fucker back home to Italy, Augusto. We’ll be joining you soon.”

“As you wish, your Highness.”

“We?” I ask while his men do as asked; I like the idea of going with him. Of spending time together, even if I’m unsure of everything else. With the king of faes dead and my brother arrested, I’m all the monarch has left. They’d never accept a woman, though. More than likely, the elders will step in and create problems for me in the royal court.

But how will the others feel? Those afraid and living under the dictatorship my father established, taking from those who have little to fatten his already full pockets? He’s hurt more people than just this family or their mates; my fae kind is broken.

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