Chapter 30
Ava winced as Jorrar treated her injuries, dabbing healing balm onto the burns on her neck. Casimir sat beside her, holding her tender hand, still fuming. At least he didn’t seem as though he was going to murder Jareth any longer.
They all sat outside in the private garden of their suite, Jareth tied to a chair with vines, while the animals kept a close eye on him in case he awoke in a fury. Dried blood was crusted below his nose, a black eye beginning to form from Casimir’s retaliation.
The still dark night watched them like a bad omen and Ava couldn’t help the dread settling into her bones as she told them everything.
“Just so I understand,” Jorrar said. “You think Valeria and Eros woke an ancient god?”
“Yes.”
“And your father and Casimir’s father covered it up.”
Ava nodded.
Quinn paced. “What does this mean? If they used Eros’ body, why doesn’t Andras look like him?”
Jorrar rubbed more balm on Ava’s throat. “You said he looked different in the human world, Ava. That means he can obviously change his appearance.”
“Yes. And Valeria’s eyes looked so familiar to me,” Ava said quietly. “Because they reminded me of Andras.”
“But Deidamia had blue eyes too,” Quinn said.
“They weren’t the same. Similar, but not quite. Andras’ are that crisp icy blue. Almost white. Just like Valeria’s. Like the fae of Frosthaven.”
“Jorrar,” Quinn said. “What do you know about any of this? You’re old. You must know more than us.”
“Thank you.” He tipped his head at the jab. “I’ve heard the story of Lomos. But we were always taught it was a myth created to show how poorly the gods look upon craving too much power or control. Is that why Jareth went on a rampage? Because of his father’s involvement?”
Ava shook her head and told them the rest. The garden was silent as they pondered over what she revealed. Quinn plopped down in a chair, pity on her face.
“My father is worse than I could have imagined,” Casimir murmured.
Moaning came from Jareth. They fixed their attention on him, prepared to knock him out again should he attack.
“What’s going on?” Jareth murmured, struggling against the vines. “Why am I here?”
Quinn had a dagger at his throat within seconds. “You’re going to sit right there. Quietly. And calmly. We won’t let you leave until we’re sure you won’t kill anyone else.”
“Anyone else?” he asked, confused.
“What do you remember, Jareth?” Jorrar asked.
He scowled at Casimir. “Just this asshole punching me in the face.”
Casimir leaned forward a little too calmly. “Look at Ava’s throat.”
His eyes flicked to her wounds, widening. “Did I do that?”
“You don’t remember?” Ava asked gently.
He shook his head. “I don’t remember anything after we left the office.”
“You could have killed her. If you ever lay even one finger on her again, I—”
“Cas,” Ava whispered, placing a hand on his thigh. He sat back and crossed his arms.
Jareth was silent, jaw clenched.
“You killed the two guards outside the office, Jareth. Then you said you were going to kill your father. I was trying to stop you.”
Jareth looked at her. “Did you tell them everything we saw?”
“I did.”
“Everything?” he emphasized.
Ava nodded.
“We’re sorry about what your father did,” Jorrar said gently.
“I don’t want your pity. And I won’t speak of it any further. I lost my temper momentarily. I’m fine now.”
“You lost control of your temper so badly you killed two innocent guards and almost killed me?” Ava asked.
“It happens sometimes.” He jerked his head at Casimir. “He has a temper too. Like father, like sons.”
Casimir abruptly stood and loomed over Jareth. “Fuck you.”
“See? There’s that temper. Just like me.”
Casimir leaned in. “At least I can control it better. I don’t go around killing innocent people and blaming it on the fact that I blacked out and can’t remember.”
Jareth lunged, attempting to headbutt Casimir, but he was too quick. Aro was on his feet in an instant, growling as he lumbered toward Jareth. Bastien rose and joined. Even Luna padded over, baring her teeth.
“Call off your animals.” Jareth squirmed.
Tell him if he tries to hurt any of you, Bastien and Aro will rip him apart and I’ll eat his insides, Luna said.
Ava snorted, then relayed the information.
Quinn smirked, tossing her dagger in the air and catching it by the handle.
“Fine. Now untie me.”
Quinn waved a hand and her vines fell away. Jareth stretched, shaking out his arms. “Now what?”
“First of all,” Ava said, Casimir seated beside her again, his eyes on Jareth. “Are you planning on killing your father?”
“Not today.”
“Great,” she deadpanned. “Why did your father keep that information when mine burned all of his?”
“No idea. He’s arrogant. Maybe potential blackmail against Valeria or just to have some type of evidence of what happened for whatever reason.”
“Jorrar,” Ava said. “What next?”
“Well, my gut is telling me the end of this book may be the key to banishing or killing Andras.”
Ava stood. “We need the book translated as soon as possible. Let us know when you’re finished. Oh, and Quinn?” Ava gestured to the dagger still in her hand. “I thought you handed over all of your weapons when we arrived.”
Quinn gave her a wry smile. “It seems I must have missed one.”
Back in their room, Ava slumped to the bed, her mind still reeling. Casimir had demanded Jareth heal her wounds. Though he did so with an air of boredom, there was a hint of guilt on his face. He would never admit it out loud, but there was regret there. He hadn’t intended to harm her.
Casimir sat beside her, taking her hand in his.
She turned to face him. “Are you angry with me? For doing this alone with Jareth?”
He took a deep breath. “No. I’m not angry. But I wish you would have told me where you were going. He could have killed you.”
“You would have insisted that you come along.”
“Yes. I would have.”
“Then Jareth wouldn’t have helped.”
He ran a hand through his hair. “I know…”
“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you, but I’m not sorry for what I did. We needed that information.”
He lowered his gaze back to her, moving his hand to the side of her neck, thumb brushing her throat. “Are you in pain?”
She shook her head. “No wonder he’s so horrible all the time. His soulbond died and he just found out your father was behind it…” She could hardly wrap her mind around it. “I don’t know what I would do if you died…especially if it was by my own family’s hands…”
“I feel for him. I wouldn’t wish that on anyone…even Jareth. But it doesn’t mean I like him. He still has a choice in how he treats others. We’ve all experienced trauma and don’t behave the way he does. Raine lost the person he loved and is one of the kindest souls I’ve ever known.”
“I know. How are you feeling? Have you been using your astral powers?”
The hand resting on the side of her neck moved to her nape, his fingers massaging the base of her skull. “I have,” he said. “And I’ve learned it’s excellent for soothing sore muscles…”
Warmth emanated from his fingers, easing her aches. Ava relaxed against him, unable to prevent the breathy sigh from escaping her lips.
“Oh? And how do you do that without burning someone?” she whispered.
Casimir pressed a gentle kiss to her lips and coaxed her mouth open with his tongue.
“It’s all about control,” he murmured, his hand moving down her back, to her hip.
He pulled her to straddle him, trailing kisses down the side of her neck to her shoulder, then back up again. “Just like I did in the bathtub.”
He sucked the sensitive skin below her ear. Her head fell back on a moan. “I think you need more practice…”
In a flash, he flipped her, hovering above her on the bed. Grinding his hard length against her core, he growled, “Challenge accepted, princess.”