I tilt my head, feeling more confused than ever. “Why the sudden soft spot for Lukain Mortis? Earlier, you couldn’twaitto kill him.”
My mate lets out a heavy sigh, inhaling through his nose. “Just as you’ve learned some things, love, so have I. And one of the things I’ve learned is that no matter how much I try, I cannot make you hate that dhampir. Youwantto love him . . . and I believe he wants to love you. I cannot stop that, so I’m not going to try anymore.”
I kiss him lightly then, feeling the weight of the world on my shoulders. So many things are unresolved, so many problems afoot, and yet all I can think about in the moment is wrapping my body around Skar’s.
“Thank you, Skartovius,” I whisper.
My head nestles into his neck. My body grows warm to his touch. I’m ready to put my reservations on hold and ride this hung bastard while he sits here, if he’ll have me, because my body is becoming hotter, my center molten—
And then the door to the study rudely opens.
“Hope I’m not interrupting anything, lovebirds,” Garroway mutters as he sticks his head in.
Skar chuckles. Over my shoulder, he says, “Of course you are. I’m sure our temptress wouldlovefor you to join, though. Where’s Vallan? Get the big brute in here too—”
“Well, you see, that’s why I’ve barged in like this.”
Skartovius’ rare exuberance ends in an instant. I feel his body harden beneath me, and not in a good way. Over my shoulder, I blurt out what I know Skar is thinking: “What the fuck are you talking about, cub?”
Garroway hangs his head. His shoulders slump, and the dhampir seems close to . . . depressed. Anxious? I’m not sure. I haven’t seen him like this before: not quite submissive, but reticent and cautious.
Slowly, I stand from Skar’s lap. This seems serious, so he stands also. Together, we walk toward Garroway.
I gasp when I notice twin bloody tears spilling down his eyes. “Garro?!” I cry out, gripping his hand in mine.
“I’ve just . . . I’ve just finished . . .”
Skartovius, usually prickly and demanding to his bloodthrall, puts a calming hand on his shoulder. “Take your time, cub. What ails you? What is this about Vallan?”
“I’ve been suspicious, you see?” He looks up at us at last. “About where he’s been stealing off to. And I, I just finished beast-charming. He’s gone from here, you know. Again.” Garroway’s voice grows thicker, meaner. His brow furrows with anger. “I beast-charmed a bat and followed him as close as I could, as far as I could.”
Skartovius speaks slowly then, enunciating every word. “Where. Did. Vallan. Go?”
“To the Military Ward, Master.” Garro sniffles, heaving a great sigh as his bloody tears wash away and resilience and resolve take over. “I followed Vallan to Castle Galfeld in the Military Ward.”
“Home to Overlord Barnabac Craxon,” Skar murmurs breathlessly.
“Vall’s master,” I croak.
Garroway nods. “And so soon after our battles here and in Nuhav? It can’t be coincidence. I think . . . I believe Vallan Stellos has . . .”
My heart seizes in my chest. I don’t need him to finish his sentence because I’ve had similar suspicions—suspicions I knew were foolish, which was why I never pursued them.It can’t be. I can’t handle another heartbreak—not so soon after my mother! Not one of this magnitude.
I recall Vallan’s words then, after just meeting the curmudgeonly brute.“Skar may tell you to trust him, silverblood, but I will do no such thing. You can’t trust a monster born in the dark”—
Just as Garroway finishes his thought, damning us all.
“Vallan Stellos has betrayed us.”
Chapter 46
Lukain
With a blank face, I stare down at the hand-written journal Skartovius Ashfen wrote, reading the short passages for the hundredth time this evening. The journal he wrote forme. “His brother,” I whisper.
I’m utterly flabbergasted. Perplexed and worried. Surely this is another one of Skartovius’ tricks. A scheme to make me hate my mother.
Why would Mother never tell me I have a half-brother?
