Total pages in book: 31
Estimated words: 29381 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 147(@200wpm)___ 118(@250wpm)___ 98(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 29381 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 147(@200wpm)___ 118(@250wpm)___ 98(@300wpm)
“Meaning your father can go home, and you can wash your hands of me by dumping me on Sean Blackbourne’s doorstep?”
His face darkens before he turns away. “That would be best.”
“For whom?” I challenge, furious to the bone with his oblique answers. “You, certainly. You could rid yourself of me, guilt-free and—”
Raiden pulls me close, making my pulse trip. “I have tried every way I know to spare you more heartache. I was a bastard to you, yes. I seduced you with every intention of walking out the door. I don’t mate. I am my father’s son.”
“I don’t believe you.”
“To your detriment, then. I’m trying to do the right thing. Instead of seducing you again, I’m warning you. Which do you think I’d rather do?” He raises a golden brow, his blistering gaze wandering down my body.
I flush hot. “You’re trying to scare me, but you held me with such tenderness. The way you made me feel so secure and whispered to me when we were together was—”
“Designed to separate a pretty female from her knickers. It’s a skill I’ve spent decades perfecting. Your parents knew that when they threatened me out of your life.”
I blink, my eyes wide and astounded. “Threatened you?”
“To step aside or have the Council Chancellor, your mate-to-be’s uncle, censure and incarcerate me until you were happily mated.”
That would have left the Doomsday Brethren down a warrior. Had Raiden allowed that to happen, he might as well have signed his twin’s death warrant—along with the rest of the Doomsday Brethren. They’re already woefully outmanned. Does that mean that Raiden didn’t want to leave me, after all? Even though he was convinced he couldn’t make a genteel witch like me happy? His desires run deep, dark. He barely unleashed his wants on me before I was breathless and overwhelmed. He was convinced he would have shocked me eventually, and that I would realize what my parents already knew: that he isn’t good enough for me.
“You didn’t fight for me at all.” I don’t ask because I know the answer, but the hurt in my voice is unmistakable.
“No. In good conscience, how could I?”
I step back, dropping a protective hand over the gentle swell of my belly and shielding our baby from him.
Pain tightens Raiden’s face. “Deep down, I made the right decision.”
“Then why are you helping me now? Because of the baby?” If he says yes, I might break into a thousand pieces.
Raiden’s gaze softens. “I’m not cruel. It would devastate me to see Mathias hurt you and our youngling. And if you remain near me, he’ll certainly try. Besides, I’ve been quite clear; I’m not built for mating or commitment. The sooner you accept that, the happier you’ll be.”
I stare at him as if he’s a stranger, my eyes wary and tear-filled. “Then you’re right. We should find whatever is in this building quickly so we can part ways.”
Without another word, I try to tug open the door. It refuses to budge.
Bram must have given him the heads-up on accessing buildings once used by Council officials and their ministers. Raiden closes his eyes and mutters an unfamiliar spell. Seconds later, the latch in my hand clicks. Then he cocks his head. Using his magic to sense if anyone is inside?
“Quiet. We’re not alone,” he whispers.
My breath catches. “Mathias?”
“I hope not. Let’s go.”
Raiden leads me up the stairs, his hand gripping mine. My heart pounds. I don’t see anything dangerous, but I sense it.
Something is off. No, wrong.
“Tabby?” Raiden slides a gentle hand to the small of my back, looking down at me with concern.
“The air here feels…off.”
“Indeed. But we may not get a second chance to search this place.” He continues on, then eases open the first door we encounter. After peeking inside, he sidles in and tugs me against his side. “Anything look familiar?”
I scan my surroundings, matching what I see against my hazy memories. “No.”
He takes my shoulders in his grasp. “What do you remember about your father’s office?”
Closing my eyes, I try to envision that night so many decades ago. “We walked up several flights of stairs, then through a big brown door. There was a lovely reception area with marble floors…”
We both scan the surface beneath our feet. It hardly fits that description.
With a curse, Raiden pulls me back into the stairwell. “Let’s keep going. Tell me the moment anything looks familiar.”
We trek up another flight, before peering out the stairwell door into another floor of empty, shadow-drenched offices. But nothing here looks like anyplace I’ve seen before, either.
I shake my head. We repeat the process a couple times over, with the same results. Finally, when I scan the next dim, empty space, I nod emphatically. “Here. My father’s office was on the other side of the fountain, near the tiles shaped like the rune for Truth, that giant Y-looking symbol.”