Ariadne hesitated. “He told me that he is not blind to who Loren has become. He is opposing him in his own way, it seems.”
“So you believe,” Margot asked, “that this Nikolai, whom I have gathered to be quite close to the man you hate, is no longer a danger to Camilla?”
When stated so blatantly, it was difficult for even Ariadne to get behind her own thought process. Nonetheless, she held firm. “I believe Camilla is in less danger with Nikolai around than if hewas not. He saved my life in Algorath and did not bring me back to Loren when he had every opportunity. There is more there than he has let on.”
“I still cannot wrap my mind around him saving you,” Emillie muttered before taking a sip of her tea, gazing into the distance.
Margot hummed. “It is not so strange, not when he was both of your Elit for so many decades. Such a relationship builds what is considered to be the closest bond possible between vampires.”
Ariadne looked to Emillie, though her sister continued to stare at something unseen before her. Neither of them had considered this, though it was often discussed amongst the Society. Many Caersan couples, even after arranged marriages, often ended up much closer, if not in love, after years of sharing their blood. Though Nikolai never partook in either of their veins, there was a level of caring that no doubt developed between them.
Then, out of nowhere, Emillie blurted, “I think Luce bonded with me.”
Everyone froze and turned to her sister. Pink spread across Emillie’s fair cheeks, and she blinked before bringing her attention back to them. Rolling her lower lip inward, she chewed it as though just realizing what she had said.
“Gods,” Revelie breathed. “Why would you say that?”
“She looks at me like she wants to…eat me.” The pink deepened to a perilous red. “That sounds ridiculous when said out loud.”
Revelie’s lips curled. “Perhaps that is precisely what she wants to do—gods. No. I cannot do it. We must free Camilla immediately. I am not built to handle this.”
Despite herself, Ariadne laughed. Beside her, Margot stifled a giggle. Emillie looked ready to crawl inside her own skin and vanish entirely. So when they collected themselves, Ariadne leaned forward and took her sister’s hand, happy for a less tragic change of topic. “There must be more.”
Nodding, Emillie grimaced. “She is quite protective of me and, apparently, is the one to have demanded Edira and her siblings rescue me from the mercenaries.”
What her sister had endured at the hands of that band of miscreants made Ariadne’s stomach roil. Though she had come to terms with who had abducted her and realized how well Azriel treated her in the journey toAuhla, the memories remained painted with fear. It was an experience she never wanted anyone else to understand. Now Emillie shared a similar past.
“Have you asked her about it?” Margot offered.
At that, Emillie made a pained face. “Not really. We did kiss once.” Noting their shocked expressions, she rushed on, “But it was to hide me from the Valenul soldiers. She kept me hidden!”
Revelie choked back a laugh. “Was there no other way to hide you?”
“I honestly do not know!” Emillie’s shoulders relaxed, and a small smile quirked her lips. “But I did notmindthe kiss.”
“Well then.” Ariadne sat back, cradling her mug of tea to keep her fingers warm. “Doyoulike Luce?”
Eyes sparkling, Emillie sipped her tea. “She was quite brash at first, but I have grown to enjoy her company. A lot.”
“Have you told her?” Margot asked, the wrinkles deepening around her eyes as she searched the younger Caersan knowingly. In that moment, Ariadne could see the gossiping young vampire beneath the surface of the wizened Original.
“No!” Emillie looked between them. “Last time…with Kyra…”
Revelie shook her head. “You were still hiding from the Society with Kyra. She was a wonderful first…but now it is time to move on.”
The tension returned, and Emillie looked between them. “I am not moving too quickly?”
“Kyra made her decision,” Ariadne said.
“You have experienced far more since then,” Margot added.
“And now,” Revelie said, “you are not the same person as you were with Kyra. It is time for you to explore the new version of yourself.”
Ariadne nodded. “Rev is correct. I loved Darien, but he is gone, and so is the Ari he loved in return. There is no harm in knowing you’ve changed and moved on.”
“You should speak to her,” Margot insisted, “rather than ask for our thoughts. Follow your heart, dear.”
Only after finally agreeing to all they said, Emillie set down her mug and excused herself from the room. Ariadne watched her go, her sister’s face set with stony determination. Worry wormed its way through her. After all…what if they were wrong about Luce?
