“She’s from our world.”
Lahn grunted, his gaze also on Circe.
“Does Loren know, or doesn’t he?”Circe asked.
“He doesn’t,” Tor answered.“He’s one of the few Cora and Ihave trusted with this information about her.We have contingencies, just incase someone nefarious discovers it and causes problems.Further, he, andMarlow, by the way, as well as the rest of their squad, are fully briefedshould anything happen to me, and a challenge was made regarding Hayden’sascendency.They’re the only ones I trust to keep my family safe.And they’rethe only ones with the skills to assist Hayden to keep, or if it’s taken, regainhis throne.If Lore did know, he would have told us where she was from, and hewould have likely brought her to us sooner and not in the manner we met her.”
“She said, ‘He brought us here, used and imprisoned us, wehad to learn to fend for ourselves,’” Cora reminded them, and then turned toher husband.“And we know this man, her father, is not a good man.Not by anystretch of the imagination.I can understand why she wouldn’t tell Loren, it’sfantastical, and we all know it’s very difficult to believe.She plays a goodgame, but regardless, she isn’t hiding it very well, so my guess, she doesn’thave anyone assisting her in this world.I’m stunned Lore hasn’t figured itout.”
“He holds deep love for her.The depth of that kind of loveis blinding,” Lahn remarked knowingly.
“Baby,” Circe murmured, those syllables dripping withfeeling, and Lahn rewarded her with a look filled with shared memories andtenderness.
But Cora nodded and returned her attention to her husband.“In short, something is not right, Tor.”
He executed his own nod and looked to Lahn.“We need to getword to Valentine.”
Lahn lifted his chin and replied, “We need the Green One.”
ChapterTwenty-Five
Frustration
Loren
Thursday, Late Afternoon
Loren was frustrated because he’d beensummoned by his king when he was needed by his bride.
After she’d holed herself in her father’s study with hermother for a long conversation, they’d had a quiet evening, and when they wereabed, it was the first night they hadn’t explored each other.
He sensed her mood, therefore, he simply held her the verylong period of time it took her to fall asleep.
The next day, he understood her preoccupation, only after hedemanded she share it.
She did just that.
“You are you,” she said.“You must be free to be you.Do thethings that make you feel right inside.Therefore, the MadamDupontsof this world need to be dealt with.And theSatrinesandCorlissesneed to behelped, though, never again in that exact way,” she’d attempted a weak joke.
As weak as it was, he still smiled at her.
“But those are risks you accept, situations you control,thingsyoudecide to do,” she carried on.“Father has brought dangerto you, and that wasnotyours to decide.And I can’t…I can’t…well, Ifind I can’t abide it.”
“It will be dealt with by the end of the week,” he stated,instilling his words with the determination he knew Marlow would be utilizingto see that statement made true.
“I know.I don’t doubt your skills.I just don’t…” Shesighed.And then she gave it to him.“How evil can one man be?”
That was when he took her in his arms.
“He keeps surprising me.All my life, he just keepssurprising me,” she mumbled against his chest.“And obviously not in goodways.”
“He will be dealt with soon as well, my love,” he remindedher.
“Yes,” she replied, but he could tell she remaineddespondent.
Loren did not remember much of his mother.But he held vaguememories of bright smiles and gentle touches and the sound of much laughtershared with her husband.
However, he remembered everything about the rearing hereceived from his father.
