Chapter Thirty
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Henri
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I RESISTED THE URGE TO look over my shoulder as I made my way down the service corridors of Victor’s castle.
Guards loitered along the journey, some alert, others bored.
At least no one stopped me as I counted off the excruciatingly long minutes since Ily had left my side.
I’d lasted eighteen of those damn minutes before stalking after her.
Luckily, Victor hadn’t been around this morning.
The Masters at breakfast were far too interested in playing with their new jewels.
And Peter had given Ily a pointed look as we’d entered the ballroom at nine this morning, confirming whatever appointment they’d made.
Yanking at the collar of my grey t-shirt, I second-guessed the colour. I should’ve worn black to hide the pit stains if I started sweating. I prickled with sickening nerves.
I had no idea where I was going, but I followed the clamouring noises of pots and pans and the whiff of tasty things. Stepping into the kitchens shot me back to medieval times with soot-stained ceilings, coal ranges, and harried servants.
The bricked walls formed a circular shape, reminding me of the caves beneath our feet. The huge slab of beef popping and sizzling in a gigantic hearth turned by itself on an automatic rotisserie. Cooks and sous chefs, pastry artisans, and scullery maids; the entire place bustled with activity.
A short, curvy woman with greying hair and a food-stained apron noticed me first.
Abandoning a bubbling pot and wiping her hands on a tea towel hooked into her apron strings, she hustled toward me and tugged on my wrist for me to duck to her short height.
Scowling, I shot a look at the guard watching the mayhem and the other standing by the open door to the outside. A few chickens squawked beyond, kicked at by a young man as he carried in an armful of greens.
I ducked at the knees and tipped forward.
“They’re by the larder,” she whispered. “The camera only has a narrow dead spot. Send the three girls to me. They’ve been talking for long enough. Ensure your back is to the room and be quick about it.”
Before I could ask anything, she pushed me toward the shadowy left corner.
Ily beckoned from where she stood with Rachel, Mollie, and Peter.
My gut churned as I strode toward them.
Shoving my hands into my jeans pockets, I hoped to God I wouldn’t reach for her, kiss her, or try to snatch her away from Peter. Every instinct surged to keep her close. I hated that she’d been away from my side twice this morning.
Twice too many.
Peter never took his dark eyes off me as I ducked around a girl carrying a large tray of sliced fruit. Skin-coloured fingerless gloves and socks covered his hands and feet. His bare chest didn’t seem too bruised, and his linen pants were free from blood.
He looked a damn sight better than he had when I’d carried him back from the caves. That night, his skin had been grey. Now, it glowed with the same honey tan as Ily. Taller than her but just as lean, he could’ve been her brother.
A cousin.
Family.
Gritting my teeth, I gave myself a stern talking to.
You will forgive him for wanting her.
He isn’t competition. He’s her friend. We are on the same side.
Did Ily know she had two men in love with her?
Did she suspect the depth of his feelings?
My heart fisted with a surge of pity for him.
I was the luckiest motherfucker in the world because she’d chosen me. The threads of fate had given her to me. I had no idea what this twin flame thing meant or if it even existed, but I did know Ily was special. Ily was mine. And I would do whatever it goddamn took to get her free.
Including being kind to the man who would never have her.
Stopping in the shadows of a walk-in pantry, I made eye contact with all of them.
Rachel blushed and dropped her gaze.
All the sickness, depression, and horror of that night in Victor’s chambers came back. I had no control as I stepped into her and whispered, “I am so, so sorry for what I did.”
She froze. Her lips parted in shock. “I-It’s...fine.”
“It’s not fine.” I balled my hands. “And I don’t expect you to forgive me. But...it happened. I hurt you. And I’m forever in your debt.” I glanced at Mollie. “I’m in both your debts for not ratting me out to Victor about Ky—”
“Ah, the less spoken about that, the better,” Peter interrupted, throwing a look at the camera angled away from us. “Just in case.”
Nodding, I shrugged. “I owe all of you the biggest apology.”
Ily squeezed Mollie’s hand.
Mollie flinched, pain etching her face. I skimmed her body and the skimpy blue lingerie she wore. Bright red handprints painted her belly and thighs.
Roland.
Fury howled. My temper exploded. “I promise I’ll kill him for you. Somehow.”
She gave me a conspiratorial glance. “Definitely not a cop if you’re willing to kill for us.”
“Better than a cop,” Ily whispered, smiling at me softly. “He’s a Mercer.”
My heart skipped.
I practically fucking swooned toward her, drawn in by the leash of her love.
Peter looked at both of us as if his favourite puppy had just died.
The moment stretched until Ily shook herself and glanced behind me.
I turned to look, spying the older woman waving at us with her tea towel.
Releasing Mollie’s hand, Ily caught my eyes. “We have to go. I’ll return to the jewel quarters with Mols and Rach.”
I opened my mouth to stop that idea. She might not be safe wandering around the fortress with Masters high on testosterone, but she held up her hand and proved our thoughts were in sync just like our heartbeats and souls.
“I’ll be safe, I swear. We’ll go straight there. I won’t leave until you come to get me.”
Genuine fear cut through me at the thought of her being so far away.
“I’ll talk to you soon then,” Peter murmured, his eyes flicking to Ily’s. “We need to find a way to catch up properly.” His gaze shot to mine, narrowed and cold. “Maybe you can give her more time with us. We can’t liaise properly if you keep her shackled to your bed.”
“Paavak,” Ily grumbled.
“I know. I know.” Giving me a wary look, Peter stepped into her and wrapped his arms around her. “Just be safe, jaanu.”
Ily gave me a guilty wince all while her arms went around him.
Jaanu?
What the hell did that mean?
It took all my willpower to stand by and let Peter hug my reason for existence.
Rachel gave me a sad shrug and Mollie a wry smile before the two jewels broke apart and Peter pushed his luck by kissing Ily on her cheek. He whispered a string of Hindi into her ear.
It was so fucking hard not to grab her.
Breaking apart from him, Ily stepped into me, squeezed my shaking fingers, then darted out of the busy kitchens.
Mollie followed her, but Rachel lingered.
Cupping her lower belly, she struggled for words. “W-We’re trusting you with our lives, Master H.”
“Henri.”
She ducked her chin. She looked so frail and young and afraid.
Sleeping with her meant nothing. It’d been forced on both our accounts. Yet I couldn’t deny a tenderness bloomed inside me. A protectiveness full of despair for how long she’d been Victor’s plaything.
Stepping into me, she kept her voice low.
“I see the way you look at her. I know how much it broke you to have to...to have to be with me. But I hope you know I’m grateful it was you he shared me with.
You didn’t hurt me. You’re willing to help us.
And you’re doing something no one else has done. Ily’s very lucky to have you.”
She scurried away before I could reply.
I exhaled heavily.
My nape prickled as I braced myself and looked at Peter.
Standing with his back against the pantry wall and arms crossed, he arched his chin. “You better come closer so the cameras can’t see you.”
Sucking in a breath and all my restraint, I stepped deeper into the shadows and fought back the shadows within me.
I had no idea how or where to start.
This was his show. His plan.
We didn’t speak for ages, animosity crackling loudly between us.
His fingers dug into his biceps as he crossed his arms tighter. “I’m going to say a few things, and once I’ve said them, that’s it, okay? Bygones.”
I nodded warily. “Okay...”
“Thank you for carrying me back to the castle.” His cheeks pinked. “I hate that it happened but...thank you.”
I reared back, not expecting that. “Eh...you’re welcome?”
“Don’t think that one act of kindness means I suddenly like you.
I don’t.” He sniffed with his chin in the air.
“In fact, I can’t stand you because I know what you are and this tame front you’re putting on doesn’t fool me.
I’ve always told Ily you were the worst of the lot, and I stand by that, even now. ”
“You what?” My knuckles cracked as I balled my hands. “You told her I was the worst?”
“I did and I’m right. The way you stabbed...” He shook his head. “The way you shut down your humanity that night. Only a psychopath can do that, and I’m still not convinced that isn’t what you are. This could be some kind of ploy to make us trust you, only for you to deliver us up to Vic.”
I glowered at him. “Then what the fuck am I doing here?”
“Because we don’t have any other choice.”
“So you figured you’d get me on your side by calling me a psychopath and kissing Ily in front of me?” I chuckled blackly. “You’re lucky I don’t punch you.”
“Ily is my friend.”
“Bullshit.” I coughed.
“Excuse me?”
Fine.
He wanted to do this?
Okay then.
I hadn’t come here to hurt him. In fact, I clung to my best behaviour because I felt sorry for the bastard. But...if he wanted to play...I’ll fucking play.
Stepping into him, crowding him against the wall, I smirked from my taller height.
“Alright...you asked for this. You say you know me? Well, I know you. I know that you’re in love with her.
I know that you want her. You think she’ll choose you over me because you’re the good guy in all of this, and the good guy always wins. ”
His eyes flashed, true fury appearing. “You’re right. I am the good guy. So what does that make you?”
“The devil.” I nodded. “I’m fully aware.”
“You’ve hurt her. She’ll never forgive you for that.”