From Slave To Queen (Athena and Michael) novel Chapter 126

Chapter 126

Cassian

I haven’t slept a single minute knowing I would see Elara again after several days without hearing anything from her. The dream I had disturbed me, and now I can’t get it out of my head. The image of her disintegrating between my fingers, that ashen cracked skin, and her eyes—those damn gray eyes looking at me with blame. So it doesn’t surprise me that when 1 reach the gates of the Amery villa, I rush inside like a desperate man. I don’t need any servant to guide me–1 know exactly where to go. My feet have walked the same path for weeks, with a hope that deflates every

damn time.

This time is no different. Ciro is leaning against the door to Elara’s chambers.

Correction: Elara’s temporary chambers.

Soon 111 take her back with me.

-I hope your efforts yield better results this time. I can’t wait to spend some time with her.”

The leather of my gloves creaks as I clench my fists tightly,

“Stop provoking me.

“Am I” Ciro replies, raising an eyebrow

Silas’s clumsy and rushed footsteps distract me from my rage for a moment and probably prevent me from starting a fight. Ciro isn’t really a rival

-his strength can’t compare 10 mine. The problem is the conflict it would cause with the others. I don’t think it’s the right time to trigger an internal war, though every day it feels more impossible to avoid. It’s just a matter of time before one of my moves sets off alarms. Elara is mine— she has been from the moment my eyes landed on her, maybe even since her first breath–and I won’t let either vampires or the Treaties take that from me. I curse the day my parents decided to add that fine print that the owner of a feeder must be compensated monetanly or in kind.

In kind. That’s what they are to us.

“I ser you’ve brought the brother” Ciro nods his chin in recognition. “How considerate of you.”

1 literally growl. I can’t help the primal, animal instinct rising to the surface. I pass by him, Silas close behind me, and before Ciro can say something else that tests my patience, I slam the door shut. Clarissa and Naida clutch their chests at the noise and stifle a gasp when they see me.

“Your sister is in there.” I nod toward the room across the small sitting area. “You have a few minutes”

“No buts.”

From here, I’ll be able to hear perfectly everything Silas says, and at the first suspicious sound, I won’t hesitate to be at his side, I don’t trust him- not now, especially now that I know there’s no true familial bond between then, Least a final glance in the direction he disappeared and walk

“Any news whisper into both of their minds.

They share a significant look before the older one, Clarissa, scribbles a few words on a piece of paper. We communicate this way to avoid curious ears–or rather, Ciro’s supernatural hearing. I don’t want him knowing more than necessary.

What she’s written makes me frown.

“Are

e you sure?” I whisper again.

They both nod in unison.

If what they say is true, there might still be hope.

They claim Elara has been drearning, moving, and speaking in her sleep–and though it

Shuttering have shown the ability to dreamn, let alone speak while unconscious. One glut not seem like much, none of the victims of the

“Apd him? Is he getting too close to her?”

Klara defies all expectations.

Clarissa writes again, informing me that Ciro visits Elara a couple of times a day, always keeping his distance–or at least trying to act the gendeman I’m not. I know that won’t last long if Elara manages to wake from this catatonic state. He won’t be able to resist her, the wild scent of her blood, the furious heat of her gaze. Not even I could

I nod and hesitate for a moment. I feel that my next question is unlike me, but out of loyalty or duty to Elara. I must ask it.

1/2

1227 PM c &•

Chapter 1261

“Does he treat you properly?”

Their eyes widen. It takes them a moment to break from their stupor and nod. I nod back and walk away, letting them retum to whatever it is they do when not beside Elara. I pace the small sitting room, covering the short distance that separates me from her chambers. Just as I’m about to cruss the threshold, I take a deep breath, I know my nightmare isn’t real. Even so, when I look toward her bed, I brace to see her gray, cracked skin.

Silas is holding her hand, staring at her while Elara looks at the ceiling, oblivious to him and everything around her. There’s no trace of my nightmare—at least not the one I feared–though Elara lying there is a nightmare in itself, one I cannot escape,

“Clarissa and Naida will prep

prepare you some tea while you wait,” I say as a Farewell.

I know he wants to argue by the way he presses his lips and glares at me, but he knows well that nothing he says will make me change my mind. I watch him kiss Elara’s forehead, and I have to clench my jaw to stop myself from shoving him away. I’ve never felt this for anyone, and I need a moment to bury the sensation deep within me.

Once we’re alone, I sit on the edge of the bed and brush a stray lock from her cheek, my knuckles grazing the skin that has lost its warmth since that day. If I lifted her upper lip, would I find fangs According to her maids, no. Apparently, something in Elara fights to hide her nature.

“They told me you spoke in your sleep.” I say into her mind, hearing my own words echo through the empty walls that now form her mind. “Do you hate me so much that you won’t even gift me the sound of your voice! You used to be incapable of staying quiet in my presence. You always had something to say, Always wanted to contradict me. Want to know a secret! I used to look forward to those moments. When everyone else bows at your feet, finding someone like you is refreshing. Of course, I don’t seule for just a breath of fresh air. I want it all. So I’ll bring you back and steal

1. Elara. Your tears, your smiles, your words, your touches, your moans. Everything.

I fall silent for a while, knowing I won’t get a reply, and yet I still hold on to a sliver of hope. Tired of this. I get to work. I try applying the new things I’ve discovered, reciting small chants Evanora prepared for me, in case one might work. One after another, I put them to the test without

SUCCESS.

Verify captcha to read the contentVerify