“I don’t know, but I’ll try.”
Hacinda started crying and threw herself on Lucius, which Tavia did not like. But there was a friendship there and heartache, and Tavia couldn’t stop it. Especially when Lucius smiled and hugged her back.
“I’ll never be able to repay you for this,” she said.
“Let’s see if it’ll work first.”
Hacinda hurried up the stairs, and Lucius didn’t immediately follow. He turned around and looked at Tavia.
“I’m sorry,” he said. “But if we can help . . .”
“Who knew you had such a grieving heart?” she said. “Aren’t you supposed to be filled with revenge and anger?”
“My life has been better than most. I’ve never wanted for anything, and now I believe I’ve got everything I’ve ever wanted.”
He tucked her hair behind her ear. “Plus, who has time for revenge when I have a pretty mouth to feed? So how about we go save a lost soul?”
“Fine,” she begrudgingly agreed. “Let your bleeding heart have its day.”
Tavia wanted to say more, to argue and demand that they leave, but how could she when this might be the closure Lucius needed to move on?
Yet, she wanted that gem for Lucius.
For a future she suddenly wished she could have with him.
Yes, they might save this tortured soul, but then what did that mean for them?
Tavia tried to hope, but it seemed to fade with every step up those stairs.
CHAPTER TWENTY
Lucius wasn't exactly sure what was going through his mind.
After coming out of that dream, everything had been hazy and sluggish, and it wasn't until after Tavia had left him outside that mansion that he had come to his senses.
Now, he wasn't sure what was happening, but after seeing Hacinda’s mate in a state of decay, he couldn't step away.
She had been dear to Lucius.
They had bonded in a way where he had truly found a friend, and everything she had done made sense, because he would do that and more for Tavia.
Tavia held his hand, frowning, clearly annoyed with his decision, and she understood why. He didn't even know if this was going to work.
This had been a gift from his parents, and he only had the story. They told him about the components and what it would do.
When they all entered Mario's bedroom, and Hacinda went to his side, sitting on the bed and grabbing his hand. The human slept, breathing in and out, mouth open, hoarse.
Lucius stepped on the opposite side of the bed and let go of Tavia’s hand. He opened the pocket watch, and an image of his parents dancing hovered over the clock.
Tavia leaned over.
“Is that them?” she whispered, and he nodded.
Then Lucius pushed in two buttons on the side, and the clock portion of the pocket watch opened. Hidden within the component was a glittering yellow stone. But this wasn't just a light crystal. Light crystals were known to remove the infection from a darkthing, but this had been imbued with healing light magic, empowering it.
He took the crystal out and closed the pocket watch,slipping it back into his pocket.
Then he leaned over.
