Page 122 of Gemini Queen
“I…” He turns back to Ronin, who’s still kneeling before him, waiting patiently for Vasili to process what he’s just heard. “I…”
It’s all right, bad boy,I want to tell him.It’s safe for you to love him. It’s safe for you to love all of us.
And maybe I do tell him, because his gaze veers back toward me. His face fires with raw panic.
“I can’t,” he blurts, thrusting roughly to his feet. “I—just—can’t.”
He pushes brutally past Ronin, knocking him off balance, and tears out of the room like his uniform’s on fire. Ronin shoots to his feet, face stricken, but clearly doesn’t know where to go or what to do.
And Lucius, who should really go comfort his own mate, looks too conflicted himself to take action.
Which leaves it up to me to rush over there and wrap myself around Ronin, which I do as fast as I can. He drags me into his arms with a gasp like he’s drowning and I’m all that’s keeping him afloat. I hug him as tight as I can and I stroke his sleek hair and I tell him silently it’s okay, Vasili just needs time to process, and I think it’s so freaking beautiful what Ronin told him.
“Wow. Just wow.” Neo’s strained voice brings my head up to find him.
He too has pushed to his feet, still clutching his napkin in one hand. Under his shock of purple hair, his face is white and his eyes are blazing. “Those two have been mortal enemies every day they’ve been under this roof. Every time they’re in the same room it’s like World War Three. Now it turns out they’re actually lovers, and no one’s even surprised? Except me. Why does everyone in this house seem to know everyone else’s secrets except me?”
There are reasons, and Ronin starts explaining them, about Vasili being a private guy who doesn’t feel comfortable showing his feelings, that it makes him feel exposed, something about his past, etc., but Neo’s not listening.
Because what Neo’s really asking is not why Vasili and Ronin didn’t tell him, but whyIdidn’t.
I’m Neo’s fated mate. In his worldview, we’re not supposed to have secrets.
The fact that we do clearly reinforces that I just don’t trust him.
And he’s devastated.
I give Ronin, who also clearly needs me right now, an apologetic squeeze and release him. “Now, hold on a minute for me, babe—”
“No,” Neo says softly. “No. This time, I don’t think I will.”
He tosses his napkin on the table and walks out.
And even though he does it quietly, every soft footfall echoes like a shout in the empty chamber of my suddenly aching heart.
Chapter Thirty-Two
Zara
I’m late for my independent study with Lucius in the belfry.
I’m late because Vasili’s been MIA since Ronin dropped the L word, and Neo’s been avoiding me since he learned I lied, and I’m feeling wrecked by guilt and worried as fuck about all of them.
I’m also late because I skipped out of my Genetics of Witchcraft class (taught again by Master Zerxes given Agrippina’s situation, and darn I’m so sorry I missed it) to test the dry suit down in the harbor. The timing worked out great, because Malcolm the great white shifter’s been with the Schedule B’s taking their Common Magics midterm with Lucius, so no Jaws in the water.
I also figure it’s good to keep the gears turning and the mechanics of my escape plan in motion, even if I’m hesitating now about whether to actually escape.
At least going through the motions might help reassure Vasili that I’m abdicating. And therefore help keep me breathing. Even though I haven’t so much as glimpsed Vasili since Ronin’s emotional bombshell made the Goblin King bolt.
For what it’s worth, that dry suit is aces. Held up beautifully during my brief immersion, and I even found a couple of topped-up nitrox tanks in the shop, so I’ll have plenty of the good stuff to breathe down there if I do make the dive.
I just can’t decide anymore if I should.
And not because it’s dangerous. I’m a cat burglar and a casino czar’s daughter. I grew up doing dangerous.
But the storm delays me getting back for my Double Witchcraft indie study. The wind’s really starting to howl, and the snow’s blowing sideways, and I almost get lost on my way back to the church.
Which is how I’m late again for Lucius. Even though in normal life—or whatever passes for normal in my life—I’m almost never late.
