Chapter 14 #2
“Ugh!” A frustrated groan ripped from my throat as I pressed my palms to my face. “I don’t want to be like our mother. I haven’t even forgiven her! How could I possibly forgive myself if I ended up a—”
I cut myself off, but it was too late.
Emily’s grip tightened around my wrist, pulling my hands from my face. “Olivia! Don’t say it.”
I squinted at her, but she held firm.
“Our mother was not a whore,” she said fiercely. “Look at me.”
I let out a shaky breath but met her unwavering gaze.
“Mom was complicated, Olivia. You know that. She had to make choices that went against everything society dictated. And now? You have to do the same.” Her eyes blazed with conviction. “You’ll never be ordinary. You have to deal with that.”
I swallowed hard.
She might be right.
But still, the idea of betraying my marriage-of betraying Roman—made my stomach turn.
Why did we have to be separated? Why did I have to feel this pull toward Malik?
God, I miss you so much, Roman.
I forced the ache away.
“Maybe…” My voice wavered. “Maybe Malik cast some kind of spell on me?”
Emily hesitated, then nodded. “Maybe he did.” She exhaled.
“He is the darkness, after all. We don’t know what he’s capable of yet.
” A shudder ran through her. “But I am grateful he saved us… that he healed me from my burns.” She wrapped her arms around herself.
“That was the worst pain I’ve ever felt.
It seems like a dream now, but at the time… it was wretched.”
A quiet hush fell over us, both sinking into our thoughts.
Finally, Emily sighed. “We have to figure out what to do, Olivia.”
She lifted her head, determination hardening her features.
“If Balthazar has the journal, he’s going to Italy,” Emily muttered. “He’ll try to get the dagger.” Her brows furrowed. “We need to get there before he does.”
She let out a long sigh.
“If only I could time travel,” she murmured. “Then I could help you.”
I rolled over to face her. “Neither you nor Rosie can time travel,” I said, frustration creeping into my tone. “And I don’t want to do this alone.”
My mind raced, searching for a solution.
Emily sat up, her face set with determination. “We have to ask Malik for answers.”
I grimaced.
“You mustn’t be scared of him, Olivia,” she continued. “He’s our only choice.”
She was right.
As much as I hated to admit it, Malik was our only option.
Wordlessly, we climbed off the bed and headed down the dimly lit corridor. The heavy silence between us only thickened as we neared his study.
His bedroom was empty, but a soft glow disappeared beneath his office door.
It was ajar.
I hesitated for a brief moment before easing it open.
Malik stood with his back to us, gazing out the window into the darkness.
“Lord Malik,” Emily said hesitantly, her voice careful. “May we speak with you?”
He whirled around, his emerald eyes blazing.
“Don’t call me that,” he snapped.
Emily flinched, hands flying up as if to ward off an attack. “Forgive me. I didn’t mean—”
“What do you want from me now?” he snarled.
His gaze snapped to mine, locking me in place like an invisible force had gripped me by the throat.
A torrent of energy swirled between us, unseen but undeniable.
I forced myself to look away, breaking the spell before it could consume me.
When I spoke, my voice was stable.
“We must time travel to Italy and retrieve the Sun Dagger.” I swallowed hard. “Balthazar has the journal. His next move will be to go after the dagger.”
Malik remained silent, his expression impassive, watching me like a predator studying prey.
I was sick of his games.
The intrigue. The secrets. The silence.
I snapped.
“How could you let Marcellious waltz into your house and steal the journal?” I demanded.
Malik waved a dismissive hand. “The journal is worthless.”
Then, with ease, he crossed the room and sank onto the small sofa, draping one arm along the back while resting his ankle on his knee.
He looked perfectly composed, like none of this mattered to him.
“No, it’s not,” I snapped, my fire returning. “Did you allow him to take it? You knew he was here, didn’t you? You can sense intruders, Malik. You’re anything but stupid.”
My body shook with anger.
Malik smirked, tilting his head. “Is that a compliment, Olivia?”
He spoke my name, his voice as smooth as silk, laced with seduction.
My breath hitched.
“No! I’m just—” I shook my head, frustrated. He was toying with me. Again.
And I wasn’t in the mood to play.
“We need to time travel,” I said, forcing myself to focus. “We can’t just sit here like sitting ducks.”
Malik’s smirk widened. “Like sitting ducks,” he mused. “You and Emily are anything but ducks, my love.”
His fingers grazed the stubble along his jaw.
And that phrase—my love—slithered inside me like a serpent, coiling around my insides, sending an involuntary thrill up my spine.
Damn him.
I steeled myself. “Malik,” I said in a warning tone. “Don’t—”
He held up his palms, cutting me off. “I don’t want to fight with you.”
“I don’t want to fight either,” I muttered, glancing at Emily, who stood to the side, her wide eyes darting between us like she was watching a tennis match.
Malik exhaled, but his emerald eyes gleamed with something darker.
“Who’s this ‘we’ you plan to time travel with?” he asked smoothly. “Me? Emily? Rosie?”
His voice turned mocking.
“Do you think I’ll drop everything just to babysit Emily and Rosie while you go gallivanting off to Italy?”
His words hit their mark—a low blow wrapped in mocking amusement.
Before I could snap back, Emily cut in.
“Please, sir,” she began. “You were about to explain what a Timebound is. That could be the solution we’re looking for.”
Malik’s smirk lingered momentarily before he let out a quiet sigh.
“Ah, yes.” He strolled across the room and settled behind his desk, fingers tapping absently against the polished wood. “Do have a seat, won’t you?”
He gestured toward the sofa.
I hesitated.
But my body betrayed me.
I gravitated toward the place he’d just occupied, sinking into the lingering warmth like a cat curling into its owner’s chair. Emily slid in beside me, her eyes wide with anticipation.
“A Timebound,” Malik began, his tone casual, as if discussing the weather, “can travel with a Timeborne.”
I stiffened.
“What?” My head snapped toward Emily’s eager expression before a fire ignited in my belly. “How is that possible?”
Malik leaned back, his gaze embodied something unreadable.
“Hand me your dagger,” he lifted his palm.
“My dagger? Why?”
He pressed his lips together and made the same gesture again as if he had all the patience in the world.
“I’ll show you how the Timebound works,” he said, then turned to Emily. “And you—hand me your necklace.”
Emily and I exchanged a quizzical glance.
I hiked up my skirt and retrieved my dagger from the sheath strapped to my thigh.
When I looked up, Malik’s eyes were locked on me—his gaze dark and unreadable, a wicked glint flashing like an unspoken challenge.
I narrowed my eyes at him, silently warning him not to push me.
His lips curved into a low, knowing laugh, like the entire situation was one long, delicious game to him.
Oblivious to the silent battle between us, Emily unfastened her necklace and placed it in his open palm.
With one last glance between us, I let my dagger slip into Malik’s waiting hand.
Whatever he was about to reveal…
I knew it would change everything.
Malik placed Emily’s necklace on his polished desk, flipped my dagger in his palm, and turned it to expose the hilt. With a smooth flick of his fingernail, he picked it open.
A hidden slot gleamed inside.
“See this?” he murmured, tilting the dagger so we could get a better look.
My brows furrowed. “I… I never even knew it opened.”
Malik hummed in amusement, then picked up Emily’s necklace.
“This,” he said, holding the charm between two fingers, “fits here.”
With practiced ease, he inserted the golden tip into the slot. It clicked into place seamlessly.
Emily and I leaned in, both mesmerized.
“Wow,” I breathed. “That’s… cool, but how does it help Emily time travel?”
Malik set the blade down and leaned back in his chair. The wood creaked under his weight.
“Let’s say you time travel, Olivia,” he began, his voice smooth as silk. “And Emily wants to come, too.”
I nodded, waiting.
“You slice your hand with the dagger,” he continued. “Emily draws blood using her necklace charm, ensuring the tip is coated.” He gestured toward the dagger, his grin darkening. “Then, she inserts the bloody tip into the hilt.”
I swallowed hard.
“Once you say the ancient scriptures,” Malik finished, his emerald gaze locking onto mine, “voilà—you both time travel.”
My mouth gaped open.
“How the hell did I not know that?” I sat back, shaking my head. “I had no idea my dagger could even do this.”
Malik’s smirk was infuriatingly smug.
“There’s a lot you don’t know about your dagger,” he murmured, his voice like velvet. “It’s quite powerful.”
I narrowed my eyes.
“Don’t you think that’s something I should’ve known?” I demanded, sitting up straighter.
Malik’s gaze glinted.
“All in good time,” Malik said smoothly.
I scoffed, rolling my eyes. “Oh, please,” I muttered. “That’s the most arrogant answer I’ve ever heard.”
His smirk widened.
Beside me, Emily leaned over the dagger; her hands braced on Malik’s desk. “How does a Timebound come into existence?” she asked, curiosity lighting her features.
Malik turned his smoldering gaze back to me—because, of course, he did.
His smirk remained firmly in place as he answered, “A Timebound comes into existence when one of the parents is a Timeborne, a Timebound, or the darkness.” He flicked his eyes to Emily. “Since Alina was your mother, Emily, you automatically became a Timebound.”
Emily’s breath hitched.
“And you, Olivia,” Malik continued, voice thick with meaning, “if you were to have a child, that child would also be a Timebound.”
His words struck me like a bell’s chime.