Page 40 of Depths of Desire
Renzo’s voice is like a growl. “We go see Luna’s father. Find out what he’s told Malrick. We need to know exactly how compromised we are.”
“Yes, but...” Mia’s voice breaks through. “What about Luna? What does this mean for her?”
All eyes snap to me. I want the floor to open and swallow me whole. Okay—not really. Not when there’s a chance that wish could come true.
“Luna is a problem,” Renzo states. “If her father made a deal with Malrick for her hand in marriage, there’s not a lot we can do.”
“What do you mean?” I demand.
“It depends on how the promise was made,” Luca says. “If it was made in the magickal realm... if a vampire contract was signed... we can’t interfere. It could mean an all-out vampire war.”
“You can’t be serious. You’re not really gonna let?—”
“We’re not,” Nico cuts me off, voice cracking like a whip. “There is no scenarios where we give Luna to Malrick. No way.”
Luca raises his hands. “Let’s take this one step at a time. We have to figure out what the deal is. If Malrick is strong enough to challenge us, then...” He glances at Pippa and places a hand on her arm. “A marriage between him and Luna could solidify ties and stop the challenge.”
“No,” Nico says, his voice like thunder. “Absolutely not.”
“I know it’s not ideal,” Luca replies. “I’m just thinking through the options. But in the end? Malrick won’t hold up his side of the deal. It gives him a foot in.”
“Agreed,” Renzo says, rubbing his face. “I already have enough problems with the old guard. If Luna’s father sides with Malrick and convinces his cronies to do the same, then it’s war. And it’s either I kill them all or we lose everything. And I’d rather not go down that road.”
“We are not giving Luna to Malrick.” Anger radiates from Nico in thick waves. “It is not acceptable.”
Renzo hesitates, then nods. “Agreed. At least... not voluntarily. If this were done under magickal law, with contracts, we might not be able to stop it.”
Suddenly, Nico’s father appears beside Renzo. Dread crashes over me like a tidal wave. He is pissed. “Lorenzo is right,” he says coldly. “We have to see what this deal is—and how it was made.” The elder Valdici’s voice could freeze fire. “We must speak to Luna’s father.”
“I already have people on the way to retrieve him,” Renzo confirms. “He should be here shortly.”
My stomach churns. I want to vomit. They’re going to kill my father. And the worst part? I’m not sure I’d blame them. His betrayal got them into this mess. Gotmeinto this mess. Still... he’s my father. My anxiety is choking me.
“Nico,” his father says. “I’ve sent more guards. Stay there. Keep Luna close. We’ll discuss further action soon.”
The call cuts.
Silence. Small, cold silence.
Nico stares at me, tapping his fingers on the desk. “You could have told me,” he says. His glare pins me in place.
“And what would you have done?” I ask quietly. “How would it have changed anything? I told you I was running from my father. That he had plans to marry me off. I didn’t know Malrick blew up the ship—not for sure—until the Blood Orcs showed up, and said they were here to collect me for him.” I exhale to try to loosen the tightness in my chest. “As much as I abhor what my father has done... he’s still my father. I wasn’t going to run to you just to sell him out.”
Nico shoots to his feet and starts pacing, his energy like a storm circling the room.
“The problem is, our hands are tied,” he growls. “We need to come up with something—fast. Malrick will insist on claimingyou. And if he does, all bets are off. We’re in a war now. He’s already started it.”
I rise slowly. “I’m sorry. I never meant for any of this to happen. That’s why I tried to leave.”
Nico storms toward me and stops just inches away. His voice is low. Fierce. “Sometimes, sunshine... sorry isn’t enough.”
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Isend Luna to her room. Mostly because if she stays in front of me a second longer, I might do something I’ll regret. If she had just said something back on the ship—anything—we might have had time. We could have made a different move. Stopped Malrick before this escalated. Now? I have no fucking clue what the next move even is.
Rage pours through me, red and sharp and unrelenting, at the thought of handing her over to Malrick. Never. That bastard is lower than filth. He doesn’t deserve someone like Luna. Doesn’t deserve to breathe in her direction. My fangs drop before I even realize it. My jaw clenches. Muscles coil tight under my skin. I’m losing control—and I know it. The thought of Malrick touching her…
A loud crack splits the air. I look down, chest heaving, and realize I’ve just crushed the corner of my desk with my bare hands. Splinters dig into my palms. I let go, shaking off the debris as I step back. Get it together.
