“How about the?—”
With a softshh, he pressed a finger to my lips. “This world is a cruel place, and if I can protect you from seeing any amount of that, then I am going to do that.”
“Sweet gesture, but I’ve already seen it. I saw it when I learned of all those who have betrayed us. I saw it when you came back from Draemor, beaten and broken, and when I read the notes about the Hykahs. It’s impossible to keep such a secret when you are encased in the truth.”
“Fair enough.” Sebastian brought his finger to his own lips, kissing it and then gently poking the tip of my nose. “What you learned about the markings—it makes sense based on everything you’ve told me about your power. It’s just…strange to think about. And it changes things…a lot.”
I rolled over, propping myself up on my elbows. “How so?”
“The markings alone are enough to make you more desirable to people like Bitchmont. But if anyone else even hears so much as a whisper about your other abilities, you can kiss the thought of freedom goodbye. Everyone and their mother will want you to themselves.”
Gods. It was like I was a priceless piece of art that everyone wanted the rights to own. “Don’t you think people will figure it out?”
Sebastian shook his head. “Not unless they know what you're capable of. You read the book; no one knows exactly what the markings mean because it’s never truly been seen before. Everything we know—knew—about them was by word of mouth. So as long as you don’t go around flaunting that you can see dying people’s memories, then I think we should be good.”
“Beaumont seemed to know, though. He seemed pretty sure,” I pointed out.
“I suppose, but again, where is his proof? He can’t possibly have anything that proves his theory unless he has you, which isn’t going to happen.”
Talk about a lot of pressure. “Good thing I don’t journal anymore,” I mumbled. If this had been last year, this shit storm would already be described in detail in my notebook.
“Wait.” Sebastian’s eyes bulged. “I wonder if Venay knew some of this. Seeing as they were friends, I’m sure my mother told her about some of her visions.”
“Venay told me that your mother’s journal hadvital information. I wonder if it was about the markings. That would explain how Beaumont had a better idea about the markings than we originally did.” My eyes matched his, the explanation making perfect sense. “That’s his proof.”
“Just in case…” Sebastian jumped out of the bed, further revelation striking him. “We should destroy that book.”
I thought I was dreaming.
“Did I hear that right?” I sputtered. “Is Sebastian Hawthorne actually suggesting such a heinous act?”
His lips quivered as he tore the book in half using sheer power from his muscles. “As I said, anything to protect you.”
Chapter
Thirty-Eight
“The air is starting to get cold.” My arms folded around myself to preserve every spot of heat.
“Fall weather must arrive sooner on this side of the continent,” Sebastian answered from where he walked by my side through the center of Lumosia’s courtyard.
The gardeners had replaced the vibrant summer flowers with warmer toned buds and some greenery that would be able to withstand the season change. We had been here for about two months now, and in those two months we had accomplished next to nothing.
Sebastian held my hand in his, the combination swaying slowly as we meandered across a narrow stone walkway. “This is nice.”
“Yeah. Weird, though. Almost seems too normal for us. Taking a morning stroll after breakfast and coffee…Strange,” I replied.
“I’ll take every small victory we can get.”
He directed us to a bench that centered the space. Surrounding the cylindrical courtyard was a covered patio which circled the entire perimeter and was essentially an openentrance aside from support pillars every few feet. Beyond the coverings was the palace, and though mostly marble, there were a few doorways leading inside and one opening that led to the forest.
It was beautiful, and for the first time in the months I’d been here, I could visualize a life here. A future within the bounds of this tucked away kingdom. With him.
For a while we sat together in silence, fully absorbing the peace that we so rarely got. That was until Delani’s voice coursed through the mild breeze and into my ears.
“Look at you two, acting all normal and stuff.” She smirked from where she stood in front of us.
“Funny. We just said the same thing,” Sebastian snorted, rising from the bench so she could sit next to me instead.
