She chuckles, but then, her smile fades. “We’re going to make sure nothing happens to you. Mom has been looking into the witches she met during her travels. If nothing else, I will get one of them to mentor me. I’ll do everything I can to break this curse. You are not going to die.”
The conviction in her voice and the way she clutches me fill me with warmth. “Thanks, Violet.”
Her gaze lifts past my shoulder, and I turn my head to see Lucas approaching us. Violet’s eyes narrow at him, but he doesn’t flinch.
“Did you have to mark her?” she asks him accusingly.
“Violet!” I hiss, embarrassed.
She releases me and takes a step toward Lucas, ready to pick a fight. “You could have slept with her without giving her the damn mark—”
“Okay, that’s enough.” Darius walks up behind Violet and pulls her into his chest. “He may be your friend’s mate, but he is also the hosting alpha.”
Violet glares at Lucas but shuts up.
He shakes his head. “No, no. I understand your luna’s grievance. I should have been more careful.”
“It wasn’t his fault, Violet.” I walk over to him and thread my arm through his. “Lucas tried to prevent this. But I didn’t understand, and we were both upset, and things got out of hand. Don’t blame him. I was an equal party to it.”
My friend stares at me. “You’re defending him?”
I give her a small smile. “Well, he is my mate now. I’m not going to throw him under the bus.”
Darius gives me an approving look before turning to Lucas. “It’s good to see you again. Although, I wish the circumstances were different. I heard about your task force. I’m sorry for your loss.”
Lucas’s jaw tightens, and I feel the flash of grief through our bond. “Thank you. They were good men.”
“What happened?”
“They were sent to locate witches. They stumbled upon something. We’re still looking into it.”
Darius nods, tucking his hands in his pockets. “If you need anything from us, don’t hesitate to ask.”
“Thank you.”
Darius’s eyes find me again, and he gives me a small smile. “Sienna. How are you holding up?”
“I’m okay,” I answer honestly. “The curse mark has spread a little. Other than that, I feel fine.”
His lips press together, but he doesn’t comment.
The second car’s door has finally opened. Lillian steps out onto the gravel in a long, charcoal traveling coat and low boots, with her hair pinned at the nape of her neck and a leather satchel across her body. She walks over to us and runs her eyes up and down my body as if she has X-ray vision.
“You look well.”
When she was mated to Darius’s father, Violet’s mother was the perfect luna: firm, no-nonsense, graceful. She hasn’t changed much since Darius killed her husband. Maybe more relaxed, some of her stiffness having softened.
“Thank you for coming, Lillian.”
“Of course, Alpha Steele.”
Lucas inclines his head. “Always a pleasure to see you.”
“I doubt that,” she murmurs wryly. “Let’s go inside.”
Certain staff members have assembled in the entrance hall by the time we come through the door. Monroe at the foot of the stairs. Two younger men at the side doors where the guests’ luggage is already moving. One of the housekeepers, Marian, ready with a stack of warm towels. Lydia is at the center of the space, her tablet pressed against her chest, her hair smoothed back, and the warm, professional smile already in place.
She steps forward.
