“She came to ask if I could remove the bargain that plagues her.”
“And? Can you?”
Cassia paused, pondering her next words carefully. “No, I cannot.”
I watched her, watched how remorse flickered in her gaze. Sybil's guilt for agreeing to Ambrose's bargain was eating away at her. I could feel it through the soul bond, though she tried her best to hide it. But she felt that even before she talked to Cassia.
“Did she ask anything else? Did you speak about something other than the bargain?”
“Yes, we did,” Cassia said so simply that I could only blink at her.
“Well? Are you going to tell me what you spoke about?” I clenched my jaw, holding back my growl.
“No.”
No? That was it? That word rang through my mind, and disbelief surged through my veins. I could feel the heat crawling up my neck, but I could only gape at her, nothing more than a fish out of water.
Aster choked back a laugh, and I turned to her, shooting her a glare. Looking back at Cassia, she stared at Aster, her gaze bright when she inclined her head in acknowledgement. I narrowed my eyes. “What do you mean, no?”
“I mean, child, what Sybil and I spoke of does not concern you, and you will do well to remember that.” Cassia raised her chin. She stood straighter, her shoulders rolling back.
“I deserve to know what you spoke about to mymate,” I growled.
Cassia laughed and stood, her lilting voice echoing along the stones as she gracefully made her way to the bars. She stopped just inches away, staring up at me as if I were nothing but the small boy she found, so lost in the forest.
“You will not speak that way to me, Samian Olokas. I was the one who raised you, and no matter what I speak to yourmateabout, it will remain between us until she desires you to know of it. Is that understood?”
I hissed, moving away from the bars. “Fine,” I spat out, ignoring how Aster was still smiling widely, glancing between the queen and me.
With a cluck of her tongue, Cassia returned to her seat. “Always a child,” she muttered beneath her breath.
“Can you at least tell me if she will be okay?” I asked, fighting to cool down my temper.
“That is up to her. Now go, I’m growing tired and wish to rest.”
I scoffed, returning to the icy bars. “Iwillfind out what you told her,” I ground out. “Rest well, my queen.” I bowed low and dramatic, stretching my arm out to the side when a heavy thud hit the bars before falling to the stone floor. Peering up, I found the queen’s book lying on the ground. “Missed me,” I smirked.
Aster followed me as I walked away from the queen’s furious muttering, her eyes filled with amusement. She was never going to let me down from this, but she kept silent while we traversed through the tunnels and into the field. Her face grew paler and more solemn as we got closer to the camp.
Once we were at the gates, we stopped, waiting for them to open. “Will you be okay?” I asked Aster softly.
“I have to be, right?” she said, swallowing. She kept her eyes glued to the center of the gate, not daring to look at anything except for what was ahead of her.
My heart ached for her. For Bryony, too. The love between her and Arbus was strong. They were so sure the mating bond would snap into place at any moment. Bryony had been a shell of herself after Arbus’s death, barely able to smile. To lose a love like that only to find your mate… “Just remember to be patient. It might take some time for her to be open to the bond.”
“I know,” Aster huffed, giving me a sidelong glare.
The gates groaned open, and we found Vivi waiting for us on the other side. She smiled warmly at Aster while giving me a shake of her head. “I was hoping you both would come.”
“And here we are,” I smiled, hugging her.
Vivi returned my hug, though she smacked my shoulder. “I thought you would like to join us at the Seelie Court today, while Aster helped Bryony with making some herbal remedies?”
I looked over at Aster, who blushed and nodded. I bit back my laugh, knowing it would spook her. In all my years, I had never seen Aster so unsure of herself. “I guess I wouldn’t mind going to see old friends,” I sighed. It had been ages since I had visited the Seelie Court. Too many memories of the place kept me away, though I tucked them deep inside my mind.
Vivi laughed, swatting my shoulder again, and led us through the camp until we came to a large tent. I stood at the entrance while Vivi took Aster, linking their arms, pulling her to Bryony. Aster tucked a lock of hair behind her ear, nervously glancing between Bryony and Vivi, her cheeks growing redder with each passing second. Bryony still looked pale with dark circles under her eyes, but she didn’t back away from Aster. Instead, Bryony offered her a small smile, stretching out her hand, letting Aster take hold of it. The tension fell away from Aster while Bryony led her to a small workstation filled with various herbs, pointing out the ones she needed first. They both settled side by side, working silently together.
Vivi returned to my side, watching the two work. One gave the other a quick smile and a nervous glance, but both of their eyes shone bright and hopeful.
