“What’d she say?”
His gaze grew concerned as I narrated everything Magdalina had told me— her vision, what Lord Lucien had known, and her task to guide me. By the end of it, his eyebrows were pinched, in a way I knew was worrisome.
“Lady Magdalina gave me a day when the cult would come for my blood,” I told him. “It’s this year. December fourth. She said if the cult separates us, they’ll be able to use me to raise Droga.”
“Then we can’t let them,” Ethan pledged. “We need to stick together as much as possible. Come on. We should probably tell the others.”
Ethan changed into a wolven, to give me a ride back to the dormitories so my knee could get a rest. As he carried me back, a knot of guilt grew in my stomach. There was one thing I didn’t confess to Ethan... Lady Magdalina’s confirmation of my death.
Odette’s vision was true. Elijah— the Hidden King, and rightful leader of the Black Claw— would kill me. There’d be no stopping it.
I couldn’t bear to tell Ethan the truth. It would surely break his heart. I didn’t wish to hurt him before the inevitable happened.
We had to enjoy the time that we had. Before I was gone.
Chapter Seventeen
Ethan
“So… I called you all here today for a very special reason.”
I was in the Rec Room with Odette, Delmare, Kiara, Stefan, Theo, and Alexei early on April 30th. Emma had gone to visit her mother with Arthur, and her time away was just what I needed to put my plan into motion.
“Are you admitting you’re a pervert?” Stefan joked. “Because we are, too.”
I frowned. “No. Don’t ruin it, Stefan.”
“What is it?” Odette peeped. “Oh, please, tell us.”
I straightened up. Nervousness rolled within me as I announced, “I have decided… that I am going to propose to Emma.”
Gasps went up all around the room. Odette began screaming. She fanned at her face as tears sprouted from her eyes. Delmare’s mouth dropped open, and Kiara began jumping up and down. Wide grins spread across all the guys’ faces.
“Wow, Ethan. I can’t believe it,” Delmare said, like she was in shock.
“Oh my gosh! Emma,married! It’s a dream come true!” Odette wept.
“That’s great, man. I’m really happy for you,” Stefan said, smacking my shoulder. The others let out similar sentiments of agreement, all at once, so it was hard to understand.
“When are you going to ask?” Kiara said, eyes wide.
“Very soon, but I need a ring first,” I told them. “I’m certain I know Emma’s taste, but I’d like a few outside options, just to be sure. Would you all like to come with me?”
There was a rousing chorus ofyesfrom all the girls. Stefan rapidly texted something on his phone, then we left.
We proceeded out of the university and into Dolinska, before entering into a jewelry store in the business district. Cases of expensive and grand jewels stood underneath bright lights, and cabinets of diamonds lined the walls.
“Uh, buddy, do you need a loan?” Stefan asked. “One you don’t have to pay back?”
“I’m fine, Stefan,” I replied sourly. I was used to this place, because it was where my mother and the rest of the royals usually shopped for their jewels, but it was certainly overpriced. Stefan knew I didn’t have much to my name, but I wouldn’t let my best friend pay for my mate’s engagement ring. I hoped I’d cobbled enough together in the past few months to buy a ring worthy of my mate’s love.
The jeweler knew who I was. She raised an eyebrow, as if she hadn’t expected me to come back since losing my title, but sauntered up to me anyway. “Welcome. What are you looking for today?”
“Nothing in particular.” I answered vaguely, because I knew if word got out that I was thinking of proposing, it’d be all over the papers before I had a chance to ask Emma, therefore ruining the surprise.
“I see.” The jeweler pursed her lips. “Feel free to look around.”
I was keenly aware she was implying I shouldn’t be here, but I hardly allowed her haughty attitude to get to me. I began surveying the cases of jewelry with interest as my friends scattered around the room. As my eyes fixated on all the different choices, I asked Stefan, “What do you think? Diamonds, gold, silver?”
