From Slave To Queen (Athena and Michael) novel Chapter 122

Chapter 122

CIM

When everyone seems drawn to me,

ering flirty smiles and shameless eyelash flutters, finding someone capable of resisting the force of my gift is something extraordinary. When someone stands up to me and acts as if kissing me isn’t their life goal. I can’t just sit around and wait

act.

I have to

And I did.

1 pulled her from the hands of a villain, possibly only to become that very man in her eyes, but I’m patient. I’ll be her friend. I’ll show her that we can feel, unlike what Cassian might make it seem. We do have feelings – I do. I’m not frozen; maybe my heart has never beaten, but I’m not dead I feel with the same intensity, if not more, than a human. For her to see that, she has to come back. That’s why I’m watching Cassian right now. standing next to the bed in the chamber that’s been assigned to her, looking at Elara with a guilt that’s impossible to ignore.

“You could give us some privacy, he growls.

“I don’t see why I should,” I say, crossing my arms over my chest and leaning back against the wall. “Alter all, she’s my feeder.”

“Elara is not your feeder,”

Why do you want privacy?” 1 ask, ignoring his previous comment. Planning to do something immoral, Cassian?”

I can’t help the amusement in my voice.

“Worried about my morals, Ciro?”

“As if you had any left…”

His gaze darkens as soon as the words leave my mouth. A manile of guilt settles over him that can’t be ripped off. I know what he told me isn’t entirely true. Elara’s condition isn’t an accident. Yes, Cassian has a terrible temper, but he has fucking iron control. He only loses it when he wants. during bloody spectacles usually meant to instill fear and cement his dark reputation. However, none of those acts have been due to a lack of control except when it involves her, Elara Even so, I don’t think this was an accident. There’s more, things he’s not telling me, and I intend to find them out

I knew Elara was special the moment her eyes didn’t look at me with sick desire. No, her eyes sparkled for someone else

“I can give you space if that’s w

what you want, but you know perfectly well your words aren’t safe”

I spin on my heel and head for the exit. We both know I’ll hear everything he says. I won’t go far, not with someone like him near Elara, and my hearing allows me to catch even the faintest whispers. 1 lean against the wall outside the doors of the room, from where I catch the soft rustle of sheets, the sound of Elara’s breathing, and the slow flutter of her lashes.

She’s awake

sometimes she is – and watches us without really seeing. I had seen the effects of Cassian’s gift before, always with a certain detachment, until it happened to her. When someone shines so brightly and radiates fire from every pore, seeing her like this chills the blood and

shakes the bones.

“You’re probably regretting what you said that day, when you told me you tried to take your life days before entering the Red Auction, that you

I never would have thought you didn’t belong there and were really made to drive me mad, to fight with me.” I arch ait eyebrow in surprise imagined Llara on the verge of doing something like that. “Now I’m the reason you’re like this. If you hated me before, I think we should come up with a new word for what you feel now. There’s none that covers the hate you must feel. Don’t worry, we’ll find one.”

Thear the sound of skin brushing the clashing of lingers – maybe he grabbed her hand. I clench my jaw.

“Because you’ll come back, no doubt, ruby queen. That’s my promise, even if it means nothing to you.”

The sound of a short, chaste kiss fills the air, and that’s the moment I choose to return, I open the doors, cross the small sitting area, and find. Cassian next to Flara, his lips resting on her forehead. I narrow my eyes, not entirely sure if this is the first kiss I’ve heard

“I think it’s time for you to leave,” I say, locking eyes with him. “You must have many matters to attend to. The Council meetings are approaching”

“Yes, I’m sure you’re very worried about the meetings”

I smile and shrug, refusing to give him a real answer. He rises reluctantly, hesitating to let go of Elara’s pale, skeletal fingers. He looks at her the way no vampire would look at a mere human.

“Of course

ant her like an

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