Page 118 of Queen of the Night
Ikar
The surprise in Vera’s expression matches what I feel when I see her standing before me. I step forward to take her in my arms and she quite literally falls into them, clinging to me as I wrap her tightly in my embrace.
“You’re alive,” she whispers with relief. “Where are you?”
“In the dungeon of my own castle.” I can’t help the bit of sardonic anger that colors my tone.
“I apparently don’t dream of you when Renton knocks me out… but I didn’t know, and I was worried?—”
“I’m fine,” I reassure her, not sharing that I feared the same when I slept the past two nights and didn’t dream of her.
The relief of having her in my arms washes over me, but she still seems… off. Hurt somehow.
“Did he hurt you?” I force myself to stay calm as I wait for her answer.
“No.”
She doesn’t say anything else and appears content tohave my arms around her, so I let her be, sensing she needs it.
After several long moments, she mumbles into my shirt, “I killed someone.” She says it so flatly I know she’s still in shock. Suddenly I understand her behavior.
“Renton?”
“No.”
“Who?”
“Tatania,” she whispers.
I don’t say anything for a moment as I try to put the pieces together, but I’m lost without more detail.
She continues, her arms tightening around me. “She tried to murder me, told me she was the one who created the list… that she wanted Renton for herself, and she grabbed a sword, and?—”
“And you protected yourself,” I say firmly.
She nods, but I can feel her silent tears wetting my shirt. I simply hold her, rubbing a hand along her back. I know she’s hurting, but this might be my only chance for answers.
“Vera, has Renton told you his plans?”
If possible, her voice is even flatter than before. “He plans to marry me tomorrow.”
There’s silence between us, and I can tell she’s listening to my heartbeat, a sound that may be absent after my trial, and which has picked up pace with the controlled rage that flows through my veins.
“Tell me you have a plan,” she says, her cheek still pressed to my chest.
I swallow roughly. There is no plan this time. “Jethonan is in prison with me, and he’s a genius. We’ll figure it out.” I force confidenceinto my voice.
We both sense the lie and pretend we don’t.
“I love you.” I place a lingering kiss on her soft hair.
“Are you saying goodbye?” She lifts her head and looks up at me with red-rimmed eyes.
“Whether in reality or in dreams, I’ll always come back for you.” A promise I intend to keep whether I live or die.
I’ll not allow Renton to live happily ever after with the woman intended to be my wife.
“The mate bond is about to end.” She looks at her wrist with a frown.
