Page 84 of Live To Tell

“Violet. Someone told Leif he’s an elder’s son with a legacy to uphold that he wants no part of. Someone else informed the world that he belongs to her.”

“I did not mean that,” I retort. “Leif doesn’t ‘belong’ to me. That’s the whole point—he gets to make choices.”

“Like the choice to be a consort?”

“Stop saying that word,” I grumble. “I used the term because I didn’t think Roderick would understand anything different.”

“Do you love Leif?” he asks simply.

“Excuse me?”

“Simple question.”

“In my experiences and observations over the last weeks, ‘love’ is not a simple question, answer, or anything in between.”

“Mmm hmm.” Ethan slants his head. “When Dorian discovers what you did and said today, I don’t think he’ll be happy.”

“I think he’ll be more interested in the allegations surrounding Sawyer, witches, and secret children. This somehow links to Sawyer’s desperation to pass the land onto Kai.”

“Maybe, but you’ve brought Leif into your family with your words today. Our family.” I blink at him. “Leif’s under all of our protection now—is that your reasoning? Your new desire for justice and keeping ‘good people’ safe?”

The SUV door slams closed and Leif walks to where we’re close to the edge of the parking area, midway between the vehicle and the building. He’s pale, mouth turned down and nods at Ethan.

“Thanks for taking me. For trying,” he says to Ethan.

“Yeah, sorry, mate. There’s a lot to dig through from all that, but we’ll do what we can, okay?”

Leif nods, and the hug I give him comes from instinct. Although Leif rests his chin on the top of my head, his embrace isn’t as tight as usual. Because Ethan’s with us?

“I’d like to see Rowan,” Leif says and moves away.

“That’s a good plan.” I smile, hoping to brighten his mood even just a little. “Class has finished—if Rowan went and isn’t researching again. Should we try the library?”

Leif’s throat bobs. “On my own. He’s the person I need to talk to, Violet.”

“Oh.” Everything sinks, from my shoulders to my stomach. “And I’m not invited?”

He glances behind me at Ethan and then strokes my cheek. “Rowan knows what to say and what not to say. He’s my best mate. Rowan understands me.”

“Unlike me,” I say stiffly.

Leif lowers his voice. “What you said to the elder. That’s confusing. And... sometimes you say things that aren’t helpful. I can’t deal with that side of you right now.”

My mouth goes completely dry. “You don’t want to be around me.”

He sighs. “I can’t deal with your intensity at the moment, Violet. You’ll want to talk about everything we’ve learned today for your investigations, and I can’t think straight. I’ll talk things through with Rowan and see you later and talk about the investigation?”

Ethan places a hand on my shoulder and leans down. “The guy’s in shock. Don’t take this personally,” he whispers.

“I never take things personally,” I say stiffly, but something inside me breaks apart—as if Leif pulled at my heart and it snapped through my ribs.

Leif’s barely listening, but he hugs me again, briefly, but tighter this time. With another thanks to Ethan, and Ethan promising to contact him soon, he wanders away.

What do I do?

Leif’s comments that I’d insist we discuss what we learned rings true, but I’d wanted to help him first. Somehow.

Therefore, I’m left with the only way I know how.

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