They had done it.
Tavia looked at the item, surprised that it was a golden pocket watch. This was the magical artifact that had been stolen and held in a vault?
Before she could open it, she heard a woman yell, “Lucius, stop!”
Tavia scrambled up the bank and started running. Lucius stood in the street, his back towards the female that Tavia had recognized from the ball—the woman she had bumped into by the cookies, the brunette in the red-and-white fur dress.
“Please. Let me explain.”
Lucius’ fists shook and his shoulders tensed. He glanced at Tavia, his gaze pained. His noticed the pocket watch, and she shoved it in her pocket, then stormed forward toward the female.
She went to walk past Lucius, and he stopped her with his arm, grabbing her waist.
“Who are you?” Tavia asked. “What do you want with him?”
The female clasped her hands. “I want to explain.”
“I know who you are,” Tavia said. “You're the one who got him kidnapped. Do you know what he's gone through?”
“I know.” Her voice lowered, guilt filling every word. “But if he would allow me to explain.”
“It's all right, Tavia,” Lucius said, and he turned around, switching his arms but keeping one around her waist.
“I had no choice,” the female said. “I was trying to save someone.”
“Who?” Lucius asked.
“My husband.”
Lucius’ face shifted, his expression going from defeat to surprise. “You were married?”
“I know,” she said. “And I felt awful for what I had to do, but I had no choice. He’s not just my husband. He’s my mate.”
Lucius’ fingers dug into Tavia’s side, and she looked up at him.
“I followed you,” he said to the woman, head bowed, almost as if he couldn’t bear to see her. “To thehuman quarter.”
“I see.” Her voice trailed. “So imagine what it’s like for a fae to mate with a human.”
Hacinda’s gaze went to Tavia, and Tavia wasn’t sure why.
“What did you do?” Lucius asked again.
“It’s better if I show you. Please, follow me.”
Lucius nodded, and Hacinda turned and started walking toward the housing area.
“Are you sure about this?” Tavia asked Lucius.
He nodded. “I am.”
They followed the female into her home.
“Please come in,” she said. “He's probably asleep, so if you could just keep your voices down, I think it would be easier if you saw.”
Lucius slid his hand to Tavia’s, gripping it. He looked back at her with an expression that explained how he needed these answers. She nodded, letting him know she would be by his side for whatever they were about to walk into.
They walked up the steps. The woman untied the mask around her face and placed it on a table in thehall. She carefully opened the door and stepped in, waving them in.
