Why would Derrick lie? Maybe because he was ashamed he didn’t wait? Or that he wanted to keep Stella as a mistress, as was the custom. Her blood boiled just thinking of that. In that situation, maybe she could maim the prince. Nothing major. Just enough that he would have to eat from a straw for the rest of his life. Yes, something minor like that.
Then there was Stella. She knew nothing about her, but why would she lie? She even had pictures, and from the sound of it, a couple of these other ladies had seen them together too. This was getting confusing. And honestly, she couldn’t listen to Stella going on and on about Ryan, who was HER Derrick.
She had the feeling that something was being kept hidden from her. Was this it? Was this the secret? That Derrick had Stella? He had a girlfriend, even though he knew he was promised to her? And what about all the stuff about him being in love with her since they were kids? Was it all a lie? Did she want love so badly that she became that naïve, wimpy fool she hated so much?
“Well, it was nice talking to you ladies. I’m sure I will be seeing you again.” Lucie felt her chest squeezing tight as she struggled to breathe. Images of Derrick popped into her head. The precious moments they’d shared together. Followed by the pictures she had seen from Stella.
She walked through the crowd, trying to escape. She had to escape. She needed away from everyone.
Princessssss.
A voice slithered in her head.This way, princesssssss. Quickly, go into the garden passage while no one is looking.
Okay. Rule of thumb: Creepy voices in your head were people you should never listen to or follow. They rarely had good advice, and more often than not, it was a trap. However, with the mood Lucie was in, bring on the trap.
She slipped past a waiter with his back turned, moving quickly but not drawing attention, and ducked through a narrow opening between two carefully parted hedges.
The noise of the gathering dulled behind her. She slowed to a stop.
Ahead, towering walls of dense green foliage rose on either side, their leaves thick and meticulously trimmed. Narrow paths branched off in different directions, each one twisting out of sight, swallowed by the living walls. Shadows pooled in the turns, and the deeper she looked, the more the paths seemed to shift and blur together.
It wasn’t just a garden. It was a maze.
This was too much like something she would have seen in a movie where she was shouting at the lead to turn around.
Are you coming, princessssss?
The voice hissed in her head, making her shudder slightly. There was something deep inside her that wanted to run. But an even bigger part wanted to know who this person was. Besides, she was already in a mood, so if this person wanted a fight, she would give it to them.
She could feel her fairy blood tugging on her to turn back, almost warning her not to continue. But her lycan felt bloodthirsty and wanted a face to go with the voice.
She followed one of the paths and walked through the twists and turns of the maze. Finally, she reached an open area where a fountain rose from the center, its stone basin carved with intricate patterns worn smooth by time. Water surged upward in a strong, steady column before breaking into a fine spray, catching the light in a shimmer of scattered droplets. The soft rush and patter echoed through the space, masking the outside world as rivulets spilled over the edges and trickled back into the pool below.
There, by the fountain, was a wolf with dark charcoal fur and white ticking.
Finally … Princessssss.
Lucie looked at this wolf curiously. A strong breeze blew her way, and with it, the smell of anise. There was something familiar, something she remembered about a wolf with the scent of anise. She furrowed her brows as she tried to recall the stories. The stories of a half-demon wolf who hunted the fairy princesses for himself and he smelled of anise. But he was dead. Her aunt Reiya killed him. They removed his heart from his chest. This couldn’t be him … it couldn’t be …
The wolf’s tail wagged slowly as he took a small step forward.
We haven’t met, but we have history. I am Abaas.
CHAPTER 41
Lucie stared at the wolf in front of her. This was a nice distraction from the inward spiral she was feeling. How was this even possible? Abaas was dead, right? She watched as the wolf transformed into a muscular man with black hair and eyes that were a mixture of deep brown and darkness. His face was handsome in a predatory way. He was fully clothed, setting the ensemble off with a black cape. He took another step toward her and she stood there, just looking at him. This? This was the half-demon that had terrorized her family? She wasn’t impressed. It was weird … she didn’t sense any malice from him.
“You are very interesting, princess,” Abaas said as a smile spread across his lips.
“I’m pretty sure my Aunt Reiya killed you. At least so I’ve been told. Care to explain?” Lucie wasn’t afraid of him. She had no doubt that she could take him out if needed. So she walkedpast him and sat on the edge of the fountain. She also wasn’t stupid. If Abaas was here, the vampires already knew it.
“I did die. This …” He motioned over his body. “This is my soul. Rather than cease to exist, I chose servitude. The vampires can claim souls as servants. But it isn’t quite that simple. I am bound to the royal family for all eternity. I can’t ever betray them. It’s impossible. Trust me. I’ve tried.” He chuckled and shrugged. “I’m a half-demon, not a saint. I’m bound by their blood … a blood oath. I exist, but only as their servant and protector. But being soul-bound means I can instantaneously travel and have handy powers.”
“So you are the one traveling back and forth for the prince.” Lucie finally understood why Jasper hadn’t mentioned who the other servant was. Still … this shouldn’t have been kept secret. Regardless of whether he was harmless or not.
“It beats not existing. And I’m no longer plagued with the lust for power I had before. You know the reason I went after the fairy princesses …” His voice trailed off quietly.
“That was really pathetic and gross. And this is really weird talking to you. I’m not sure how I’m supposed to feel about you.” He was the servant to the vampire royals but he was also an old enemy of her family. Right now, though … he seemed harmless.
