Chapter 47
Forty-Seven
LUCCA
Iwas under no illusion that the High Witch would have the ingredient needed for the spell because nothing has ever been easy for us. When Aurora tells us they need to visit the Nightshade Market, I’d already expected that.
“Is getting the ingredients for this spell a life-and-death situation?” I ask.
Both Sophie and Tish say, “Yes,” while Igor says, “No.”
“Maybe not to you,” Tish retorts. “You’re not the one stuck as a pet.”
“You’ve been stuck for centuries. What difference will a few more days make?” He scowls.
“A few more days won’t make a difference to my father. If he’s looking for me, he won’t stop until he finds me. Waiting is pointless,” Sophie argues.
Of all the things that I have to worry about, looking for an ingredient for a spell that requires Vivi’s blood isn’t at the top of my list of priorities. But I can’t say no to Vivi when she’s determined to help our new “friends.”
“Fine, you can go, but Vivi will stay,” I reply.
She puts her hands on her hips and glares. “Why do I have to stay?”
“Because we do have something more pressing to do tonight. I’d have told you sooner, but you left without telling me.”
She looks remorseful. “I’m sorry. I thought we’d be back before anyone noticed we were gone.”
I pull her to me. “It’s okay, love.”
“I’ll go with Sophie,” Vaughn pipes up.
“I want Saxon to go too,” I say. “I’m not taking any chances when it comes to Jacques. And your guests will have to wear a blindfold when they leave and return to the mansion.”
Vaughn’s brows arch. “Why? They aren’t going to betray us.”
“He’s right, Vaughn. Mr. Tellier would know how to extract information from us even against our will,” Igor chimes in. “I don’t object to wearing a blindfold.”
“Yeah, me neither,” Sophie says.
“I do!” Tish complains.
I narrow my eyes. “Then you can stay.”
The cat grumbles. “Fine. Can we go now?”
“No. I want a Red Guard escort.”
“Isn’t that a bit of overkill?” Aurora argues. “We’ll draw less attention as a small group.”
I grind my teeth. The refusal is on the tip of my tongue, but in the end, I can see she’s right. “Fine.”
Saxon turns to her. “Wait. Are you coming too?”
“Of course. Do you think finding these ingredients will be easy? They’re rare, and some vendors will lie about having them.”
Saxon looks confused, and I’m with him. “Why would they gatekeep the ingredients? Don’t they like money?”
Aurora shrugs. “Yes, but they also like to play games. It’s a power-play move.”
“I need to stop by the weapons room first. If we’re expecting trouble, I ought to be prepared.” Saxon veers for the door out of the living room. “Come on, Vaughn.”
“What about Igor? He should be armed too.”
Saxon grimaces. “There’s no chance I’m giving him a weapon.”
“That’s okay. I’ve got my weapons right here.” Igor lifts his fists. “Chuck and Norris.”
“Oh my God. You did not say that. You’re such a weirdo,” Tish blurts out.
“Who are Chuck and Norris?” Sophie asks Vaughn.
He kisses her cheek. “Another one for the list.”
Done with this lot, I take Vivi’s hand and steer her to the office for a private conversation. Once the door is closed behind us, she asks, “What’s going on?”
I run my fingers through my hair. “Dean and Connor paid me a visit earlier. My uncle had another episode and almost escaped.”
“Oh, Luc. I’m so sorry.” She touches my arm.
“It’s happening more frequently now, and the episodes are getting more intense. If we can’t find a cure…” A lump forms in my throat, and I can’t finish my sentence.
Vivi rubs my back. “You want me to donate my blood, don’t you?”
I nod. “Yes, and Rikkon’s. Maybe that combined with your brother’s healing powers can revert the progress of the disease.”
“Of course. I’ll do anything to help your uncle. I know Rik will too.”
I reach for her face, cupping her cheek. “Thank you, Vivi. You don’t know how much that means to me.”
“Do you want to walk the wind to your uncle’s house?”
I grimace. “No offense, sweetheart, but I hate walking the wind.”
She chuckles. “Maybe you’ll get used to it someday.”
I doubt it, but I smile and I say, “Maybe.”
VIVIENNE
Rikkon and Miranda agree to meet us at King Raphael’s mansion, and we arrive at the same time. When Mauricio opens the door for us, I can’t help the gasp that escapes my lips. He has cuts all over his face, and his right eye is swollen shut.
“Oh my God. What happened to you?” Miranda asks.
I didn’t tell Rikkon over the phone that King Raphael had another episode, so he and Miranda don’t know Mauricio was attacked by the king.
“It was my uncle,” Lucca answers. “How is he, Mauricio?”
“He’s been quiet. One of the cameras survived the destruction in the room if you want to see him for yourself.”
“You installed cameras in this room?” Rikkon sounds alarmed.
“It was a necessity,” Mauricio replies. “And done by the order of the king.”
Lucca rubs his face. “Yeah, let’s check the security feed first.”
Mauricio leads us to his office, where a computer monitor shows the video feed of King Raphael’s room.
Most of the furniture has been destroyed, and the king is sitting on the floor, leaning against a wall, and hugging his middle.
The sight of the powerful male reduced to such a pitiful state makes my heart heavy.
I glance at Lucca, and his expression is so heartbroken that it brings tears to my eyes. His own eyes are brimming with tears, and his jaw is tense.
“How long has he been like that?” he asks in a tight voice.
“A few hours.”
“When was the last time he fed?”
“I don’t know. He attacked me when I brought his meal last night.”
“Did he drink from you?” Miranda asks.
Mauricio shakes his head. “If he had gotten his fangs on me, I’d be dead.”
“He needs to feed,” Lucca says. “We’ll collect Vivi’s and Rikkon’s blood, and I’ll bring it to him.”
“Do you think that’s wise, Luc?” Mauricio asks. “I can give him the blood.”
“He almost killed you. It has to be me.”
“You should bring Mauricio with you in case he has another episode,” I say.
“I’ll go as well,” Rikkon offers.
“No,” Lucca says. “It’s too dangerous.”
Rikkon stands straighter, his face turning hard. “I’m a prince of Aquila. I can handle your uncle.”
“Why don’t we all go. Vivi and I aren’t worthless, you know?” Miranda retorts.
“No,” Mauricio says. “Too many people might trigger the king. Only Lucca and I should go. Rikkon can wait outside the king’s chambers in case we need his assistance.”
“What about us? Why can’t we wait with Rikkon?” I ask.
Lucca turns to me. “Stay here, Vivi. Please? I’d prefer if you were as far away from my uncle’s chambers as possible.”
I’d insist on going, but I become lightheaded out of the blue and must use Mauricio’s desk to remain upright.
“What’s wrong, my love?” Lucca takes my arm.
“I’m not sure. I haven’t been feeling great since I woke up.”
“Why didn’t you tell me? I won’t take your blood if you’re feeling drained already.”
“I thought I was feeling better.”
“You used a lot of magic in the last twenty-four hours, sis,” Rikkon says. “Will using only my blood be enough?”
“We shall see,” Lucca replies, but his gaze remains on my face.
“Do you have any tea in the house?” Miranda asks Mauricio.
“Yes, of course.”
She pulls me away from Lucca and hooks her arm with mine. “Go to King Raphael. I’ll make some tea for us.”
Lucca doesn’t protest, but I feel his eyes follow me out of the room. Miranda doesn’t need to ask where the kitchen is. She seems to know where she’s going.
“Have you been here before?” I ask.
“Yes, once with my mother. I was ten. It was my formal presentation to the king.”
“What was your first impression of him?”
“Intense and scary.”
“Yeah, he had that effect on me too. But so did Lucca. It must be a family trait.”
Once in the kitchen, I pull up a chair at the table and watch Miranda do the work. She knows her way around here too. “Did you raid the king’s kitchen when you visited?”
Her eyes widen. “What? No. Why do you ask?”
“You look right at home.”
“Oh, it’s just my witchy instincts. You said you were lightheaded earlier, right?”
“Yeah.”
“Any other strange symptoms?”
“I felt really sick as soon as I woke up. I had to throw up.”
Miranda freezes and stares at me without saying a word. “You had morning sickness?”
My spine becomes taut. “Yes. Why are you looking at me like that?”
She pulls up a chair next to mine. “Is it possible that you’re pregnant?”
I stop breathing for a second. Lucca and I never took any precautions because we never thought it’d be possible. “I don’t know. But vampires haven’t been able to procreate in so long.”
“True, but new vampires couldn’t be made either, yet Lucca sired Vaughn.”
I think about what happened when Lucca and I made love while in Ellnesari and his body glowed from within. I cover my mouth with my hands, suppressing a gasp. “I think I am pregnant, Mir. What should I do?”
“Would a human pregnancy test work on you?”
“I don’t know.”
“We can try that. Are you going to tell Lucca before you know for sure?”
I bite my lower lip and stare at my hands. “I don’t know.”
“If you are indeed pregnant, would that be good news?”
I lift my chin. “Yes, the best of news, but… what if Lucca doesn’t see it that way.”
She cocks her head and studies me. “Are you kidding me? Lucca is completely gaga over you. He’d be thrilled.”
I allow Miranda’s certainty to lift my mood, but Lucca’s reaction isn’t the only thing I’m worried about. I’m the crown princess of Ellnesari. If my mother took away my powers and banished me because I fell in love with a vampire, what would she do if she learns I’m expecting his baby?