From Slave To Queen (Athena and Michael) novel Chapter 142

Chapter 142

Elara

1s

I stopped feeling my feet a while ago. I’ve been passed from one pair of arms to another constantly–many men, Purebloods, have wanted to dance with me. Unlike Cassian, Ciro doesn’t act possessive, except when it comes to him. At no point during the evening have we been near each other, and yet I’ve felt his gaze on me the entire time, burning my body, awakening every cell

The one I hope is my last dance of the night ends, and 1 run to a nearby wall, placing my hand on it to soothe my aching feet.

“I was worried sick about you.”

I turn around abruptly at the sound of Walter’s voice. I don’t even have time to look him in the eyes before his arms are already wrapping around me in a warm hug.

“You have to tell me everything,” he says beside my ear.

1 pull away, hands resting on his arms, and look at him. He has a smile hanging from his lips, and his brown hair falls ov looks radiant.

over his eyes. He

What exactly do you know?”

“Oh, well, nothing much. One night you appeared at a ball hanging off Cassian’s arm, right after there was an attack, and later thing I know is that you became Ciro’s feeder, apparently Broken by none other than your former master.”

only

His eyes darken with concem.

“I thought he cared about you.”

The

–

I don’t jump to his defense. I won’t deny that part of me still isn’t sure about everything, Cassian confuses me. One moment he hates

and the next he worships my body as if it were the most precious thing to ever fall into his hands. My head can’t forget that before me, his lips had touched another. It’s foolish of me I’ve seen wormen on their knees offering him attention, I’ve seen him surrounded by lovers before. But knowing there was a human before me undeniably makes me jealous. I’ve never been special, and thinking that he. among all of them, wasn’t strong enough to resist his desire for me made me feel different. I don’t know what to believe–how much of what has come from his lips is true. I can’t blindly trust anyone.

“I told you many times you were misinterpreting things,” I finally say.

“His gaze was easy to misinterpret, I swear.”

The corners of his mouth twist into a sad smile.

“I don’t understand how he could do that to you.”

I respond by imitating his smile.

“You know what? I’ll talk to Aeron. Maybe there’s a way to visit you so we can catch up. Things are very tense.”

A memory

from one of my last conversations with Ciro floods me. If his words are true, I’m not a captive here I can come and go from the villa whenever I please.

“Maybe I can come to you. I don’t think Ciro would object,

“Senously?”

He can’t hide his surprise. I nod.

“That would be fantastic. Truth is, Arron’s been really busy lately and it’s been hard for him to find time to bring me.

“I think it’s sweet that Aeron still brought you to visit.”

I quickly look for the vampire and find his eyes on us. He can’t hide his interest in Walter.

he’s trying to hide the two of you, he’s not being very discreet, is he?”

“I think he’s starting to notice.”

1/2

Chapter 142

He lowers his voice.

“We’ve been the source of quite a bit of gossip lately.”

“Is that bad?”

“Apparently, most vampires find it quite dishonorable to have an intimate relationship with your feeder. Of course, you can drink their blood, even have sex if you want–but feelings? That’s absolutely unthinkable

The irony in his voice doesn’t go unnoticed.

“They’re a bunch of hypocrites. Aeron wants to keep a bit of distance in public.”

“And what do you think about it?”

His gaze shifts toward him, who has stopped watching us and is now focused on a conversation with another lower–ranking Pureblood. 1 study my friend closely, and it’s impossible not to notice the shine of love in his eyes.

“I don’t want anyone to be ashamed of being with me.”

Walter…”

“I don’t want anyone to hide me. I’m not a mistake.

My hand seeks his, we intertwine our fingers, and I’m thinking of what to say to comfort him when another presence joins us. Ciro’s expensive scent wraps around me easily, and the warmth of his palm settles at the small of my back.

“Would you mind accompanying me for a moment, Elara?

1 face him, narrowing my eyes and wondering if I really have the option of saying no. With Cassian, I could only obey–especially in public. Nothing and no one could question his power.

“Where to?”

“I think there’s someone you need to see”

He leans down to whisper in my ear.

“I suppose you’ll want to say goodbye.”

He’s very sure this has caught my attention, so he grabs my hand and pushes me across the room to a door that leads us away from the Joy of the celebration. I glance over my shoulder at Walter, who gives mea farewell wave. The doors close, and despite the darkness flooding the hallways, my vision is better than it was months ago. We turn through several corridors until I hear a door handle and the next thing I see is the interior of a room–elegant like the rest–and Cassian standing in the middle. The fire in the hearth illuminates his features.

“What is this?” I ask.

My voice trembles. For a moment, I fear that Ciro has discovered the truth–that he knows that no matter what he tells me, I will eventually return to Cassian. I chose my villain a long time ago. I’d rather fight him than face beautiful faces and sweet words that might be more poisonous than a serpent. Or maybe he’s discovered something worse. Maybe he knows the truth about what I am, what I could mean for his race. That thought chills my blood.

“I thought you two should have a chance to say goodbye, considering you lived together for several months and he seems to have grown fond of you.”

“I don’t think that’s necessary,” Cassian says coldly. “After all, I’ll–still see her as your escort at parties and gatherings.”

“That’s true

Verify captcha to read the contentVerify