Chapter 36
thirty-six
Leseldh
A black cloud seeped in through the gap under the door of Leseldh’s study. The cloud formed Phaedra’s familiar shape, before landing on Leseldh’s desk. Leseldh looked up from his notebook as Phaedra fixed her grey-eyed stare upon him.
She has returned.
Leseldh hurried downstairs to greet his Resonant as she entered the mansion. He narrowed his eyes at her.
“Where have you been, my love?” Leseldh asked through gritted teeth.
Ivy had never stayed away from Veldmoor overnight before.
When Finare had arrived home without her the previous evening, Leseldh was concerned.
Concern morphed into suspicion when Finare was evasive about her whereabouts.
He knew his Second Creation was colluding with Ivy, but he wouldn’t let it interfere with his plans.
“I was in Clerlet.” Ivy’s expression remained neutral.
The mention of Clerlet intrigued Leseldh. The outer city had very little to offer. Leseldh knew of one thing that would draw Ivy to Clerlet, but he didn’t realise that she might have known that.
Leseldh looked her up and down, noting that she still wore the outfit from the previous evening.
“What possessed you to visit Clerlet?” Leseldh started towards Ivy, and he noticed the way she stiffened upon his approach.
“I was looking for someone.”
“Who?”
“My sister.”
The response ignited Leseldh’s worry. Ivy’s co-conspirator stepped through the front door during the exchange and looked between them warily.
“I was not aware you had a sister,” Leseldh lied. He stopped an arm’s length away from her.
“She went missing a long time ago.”
Leseldh knew the story of Ivy’s Human sister—Voresta had passed on the limited information Ivy divulged at Lunarian. The investigation into what became of Emer Winterstone had already begun—but he wasn’t about to share that with Ivy. Leseldh assessed her with his caramel-brown eyes.
“You’re not being completely honest with me.”
“I have nothing to hide from you.”
The nerve. His eyes flashed and he took a final step forward, bridging the gap between them.
He raised his hand to grip her jaw, and he felt her tense against him.
From the corner of his eye, he saw Finare jolt forward to intervene, and he raised his free hand to him in warning. Finare stilled, his eyes wide.
“Is that so? If you have nothing to hide, why do you refuse to seal our Resonance, Ivy?” Leseldh snarled.
“I don’t see the point in confirming something that you’re already so sure of.” The contempt in her voice had never been directed at him before, and it filled him with fury. He gripped her jaw tighter, forcing a sharp wince of pain from her.
“The point, my dear, is that it will deter any challengers to what is mine.”
“You make it sound like I’m your property. I thought that being Resonant Vampires would make us equals.” Ivy stared at Leseldh unblinkingly. He was astounded by her defiance. It was as though she’d returned a completely different Vampire. He hated it.
“You are mine, and no one else will have you. And later tonight, all of Noctis will know it.” The declaration made the confidence in Ivy’s expression flicker.
“What are you saying?” The concern in her voice was unmistakable. He bit back a self-satisfied grin.
“Tonight, we will seal our Resonance at the Council.”
“What?” Ivy pulled out of Leseldh’s grasp and took a step backward. “You said that you would wait until I was ready.”
“I have been patient with you, but I will wait no longer. It is time to resume our forever, Malia. I have made the arrangements. Everything is laid out for you in your room. I will collect you when it is time.” He dismissed her with the wave of his hand.
She will be my Resonant, whether she likes it or not, Leseldh thought, as he watched Ivy and Finare scurry upstairs.