It wasn’t long until Cedar joined in, and Vesper was left to stare at us, though I noted the small smirk on her face.
Whatever came next, I would cherish the time with them.
They were worth everything.
Cedar
Ihad another nightmare.
The same one as always, but somehow it didn’t live up to the horror I experienced the next morning when I found myself at the scene of the crime.
I almost expected to see the bloodbath. Feel the remnants of magic. Anything that would prove what happened to Vesper and her father.
But there was nothing.
That made it all the more sinister.
I wasn’t alone, not after what happened to Vesper, but neither Aurelia nor I wanted her to come. So I opted for someone much less desirable.
“Are we sure this is where it happened?” Caspian asked from behind me, the sound of his feet brushing against the ground hitting my ears.
“Are you saying Vesper lied about it?” I wasn’t even trying to keep the hostility out of my voice.
He let out a sigh, almost like he was annoyed that I was having a temper tantrum or something.
“I’m saying she was hurt pretty badly, so things could've gotten mixed up. I don't smell any blood or magic.”
Without answering him, I continued along the path Vesper said she took. I walked around the building, noting that while there were footsteps, Caspian was right. There was no lingering magic, let alone blood or other vampires, in the area.
It wasn't until I got to the door at the side of the building that I paused.
There's something inside.
“Also, I don't think we’ve been formally introduced,” Caspian said, coming up to my side. “I’m Caspian Hart.”
The bastard offered his hand like I would actually shake it. I merely looked at it and then back up at him.
“I know who you are.”
“But I don't know much about you,” he continued with a smirk.
“Well, maybe you should ask your wife.”
He didn't budge. “I would if you weren't warming her bed every night.”
My jaw ticked.
“Something you don't seem all that upset about,” I noted.
He shrugged and slipped his hand back into his pocket. The entire time he was with me, I had made a point not to look at him, but now that I was forced to, I realized he was quite casual for his status.
“This arrangement between us is mutually beneficial.” His smile dropped, his face turning serious. “I never wanted this. My sister was set to take everything, and then… He killed her.” His voice shook toward the end.
“I’m sorry,” I said, and this time I meant it. He gave me a pitiful smile.
“And because of my rise to fame, my lover dropped me. He was okay with keeping me in the shadows as a nobody, but as soon as everyone’s eyes were on me…”
I didn’t know what made him feel comfortable enough to spill all this to me, but I was starting to get slightly uncomfortable. I felt for the man, but that didn't help me get over the fact that he was legally married to Aurelia.
