I run to him, then drop to my knees to hug him tight. “You’re back. You’re truly back.”
“It seems so. It’s like I’ve been living inside a fog for years, and it has finally cleared completely.”
“Yes. You’re free from the curse my wife put on you,” King Ruel chimes in.
“Losing his mind was a curse, not a disease?” Rikkon asks.
“It was both. The degenerative disease exists, but King Raphael’s condition was worse thanks to the curse.
“But he’s cured too, right?” I ask.
“Yes.”
Rikkon frowns. “How can your blood accomplish that when mine and Vivi’s didn’t?”
“You’ve been away from Ellnesari for far too long. Your powers are diminished because of it.”
“Are you going to share your plan with us now?” I ask.
He nods. “Certainly. I’m going to save your friends, and King Raphael will help me do it.”
“I don’t understand. How?”
Uncle Raphael rises from the floor and stares at King Ruel, a wicked smile toying on his lips as though he already knows the answer to the question. “When can we leave?”
Fifty-Eight
LUCCA
ONE MONTH LATER
It’s been a month since Uncle Raphael left with Vivi’s father to Ellnesari, and even though we all know time moves differently there, so it’s probably only been a few days to them, it’s impossible not to worry. I tried to hide my concerns as best as I could from Vivi, but I think she only pretended I was calm. She knows me like the back of her hand.
We’ve been spending a lot of time in my uncle’s house, and to distract ourselves, I suggested we play a board game. We settled on Monopoly. Currently, Saxon is on the verge of going bankrupt and about to throw a tantrum. He lands on one of Vaughn’s properties with hotels, and the rent is steep.
“No! What the fuck, man.”
Grinning from ear to ear, Vaughn extends his hand toward Saxon. “Pay up, bitch.”
Saxon glances at the money he has left—or better yet, the lack of it—and says, “I’m wiped clean.”
“You’ll have to sell some of your properties, Sax. I’ll take your Park Place.” Aurora smiles sweetly.
His jaw drops. “So you can build your empire? The betrayal.”
I open my mouth to tease him more, but a change in the air makes me sit straighter in my chair and glance at the window facing the front courtyard. Vivi has a similar reaction.
“What is it?” Vaughn asks.
“My father is back,” she replies.
“Stay here. I’m going to check.” I’m out of my chair before she can say a word.
“I’m coming too,” Saxon pipes up.
Mauricio beat me to the door, but when I see everyone who’s returned with King Ruel, and my uncle standing next to Manu, I break into a run. Manu turns to me just in time for me to pull her into a hug. “You got me so fucking worried. Don’t do that again,” I whisper in her ear.
“Can’t promise that.”
