“Ronan isn’t around.” I head to the shelf where we keep clean towels and grab one to wipe my face.
“Where is he?” Dean asks.
“He returned to Ellnesari.”
Connor crosses his arm, widening his stance. “How? Are all the portals open now?”
I shake my head. “No. Vivi was able to open a temporary portal with Solomon’s help, but I’m afraid that’s the last time any of us will be able to do so from our side.”
Dean and Connor trade a look, making my spine rigid. “What is it?”
“King Raphael had another episode. He destroyed his entire room and almost broke free.”
I twist the towel in my hands until the fabric becomes almost unpliable. “Is he okay?”
“For now. Mauricio was able to subdue him until the king remembered who he was,” Connor replies.
“The episodes are lasting longer, though,” Dean adds. “We either find a cure for his disease, or we’ll have to carry out his wishes.”
My heart tightens. “No,” I grit out. “I’m not ready to let him go yet. I need more time.”
Dean scowls. “Do you think I want to kill my king? But time isn’t a luxury we have.”
I rub my face and look into the distance. “I have an idea that might be able to buy him some time.”
“What is it?”
“We give him Nightingale blood.”
Both widen their eyes. “Do you think that will help?”
“It helped me. I was able to turn Vaughn into a vampire after I drank Vivi’s blood. And Sophie came back from early hibernation after she drank from Vivi too.”
Connor narrows his eyes. “You do realize if that becomes public knowledge, Vivi and Rikkon will be in grave danger. The entire vampire population will want to partake in drinking their blood to avoid hibernation or going insane.”
I swallow the lump in my throat. “I know. Hence this information can’t leave this room.”
“Sophie and her bodyguard are already aware, though. What’s stopping them from telling Jacques?” Dean raises a brow.
My gums ache, and I know my eyes must be tinged red. “I’ll kill them before they have the chance.”
Forty-Five
VIVIENNE
When I wake up, Lucca’s side of the bed is empty and cold to the touch. I have a feeling he couldn’t sleep and went to the gym to work out. I get out of bed and head over to the bathroom. With him gone, I can take my time getting ready without being interrupted for a quickie. Not that I mind Lucca’s interruptions, especially the ones in the shower, but sometimes a girl just wants some time alone to preen.
But before I can actually take a shower, my stomach feels queasy. The urge to throw up hits me out of nowhere, and I’m glad I’m in the bathroom already or I wouldn’t make it to the toilet in time.
I hurl until I’m dry heaving. My throat is rough now, and my skin is clammy. “That came out of nowhere,” I mumble.
I don’t remember eating anything that would make me sick. Maybe opening the portal to Ellnesari and then feeding Sophie took a toll on my body. I get up on shaky legs and turn on the shower. More than ever, I need to get clean.
I was planning to really take my time under the hot jets, but I still feel unwell, and also a little lightheaded. The last thing I need is to pass out in the shower stall and crack my head open.
I cut my preening time short and put on my fluffy robe with the intention of getting back to bed and waiting for Lucca there. But a scratch at my door draws my attention. “Vivi, are you there?”
That’s Sophie’s familiar. Why is she standing outside my door? No way of knowing without asking her. I open the door, and without preamble, she rushes into my room.
