35

Derrick’s uncle, the head of his family and one of the elders, agreed to it all. As a result, I ousted Derrick from my most trusted circle. Rothan remains but only because I don’t entirely blame him for what happened to Leanna.

“Have you been sleeping?” I ask Harriet, my tone gentle.

She moves her shoulders in a shrug. “Sometimes. I’m still tired all the time.”

“Harriet—”

“Are you planning to go through with the mating ceremony?” she suddenly asks.

I meet her gaze. “Do I have a choice?”

She falls silent. After a few moments, she murmurs, “You should have killed Bella when you first saw her. You should have killed them both.”

I sigh. I know she’s grieving. Harriet truly loved Leanna from the first moment she met her. I’ve never known her to be so attached to anybody before, other than her son. Leanna’s death has shaken Harriet to her core.

“I should have,” I agree tiredly. “Harriet, I’m thinking of heading to the border to fight.”

Her head jerks up, and I see the tears in her eyes. “You’re going leave me here?”

She has never sounded so old before.

I get to my feet and guide her to one of the chairs. I sit down across from her and take one of her hands in mine. “Would you like to come with me as my attendant?”

She looks shocked. “That’s Derrick’s—”

“Not anymore,” I say coolly.

“It wasn’t his fault, you know.” She cups my cheek sadly. “If he had known for even a second that Bella was capable of something like that, he never would have spoken to you on her behalf.”

“Maybe,” I murmur. “But I’m not ready to forgive him.”

“Did you know that Bella’s father approached him as a prospective mate for her?” Harriet asks. “His uncle agreed to it, but Derrick refused. Bella was furious. She went to confront him. She was nasty to him. He told her that she had used him and cost him everything. He said cruel things to her. She left his room in tears. His uncle has disowned him as a result. Derrick is leaving the castle. I think he plans to go fight as a mercenary.”

My chest tightens, and I look away from her. “Why are you telling me all this, Harriet?”

Her voice is soft. “He’s your best friend, Cedric. He would cut off his right arm for you if you asked him to. He is not to blame for what happened to Leanna. He’s stricken with guilt, Cedric. Make up with him.”

“He—”

“He wasn’t responsible for Leanna’s death, and you know it. That poor girl was fragile. You two did not get enough time together for her to fully trust you. I’ll come with you to the border, but don’t abandon Derrick. What happened was all Bella’s fault.”

When she leaves the room, I think about her words. She’s right. Leanna and I did not get enough time together. It would have been easy to manipulate her. Bella had all the right tools at her disposal.

I get to my feet and make my way over to the living quarters. The door to Derrick’s room is open, and he’s throwing things into a bag.

I knock on the door. “Is that for the journey?”

He stiffens upon hearing my voice. “Your Majesty.” He looks like he hasn’t bathed in days, and there are dark circles under his eyes.

“We’re leaving for the border in two days. Be ready.”

He looks stunned. “I’m going with you?”

“Yes.”

“But you said—”

“Do you want to come or not?” I demand.

He nods.

“Then be ready.”

“That’s the day of your mating ceremony. Are we leaving after it?”

“No,” I say coldly, turning my back and walking out. “Before.”

I’ll be damned if I give that woman the satisfaction of having a mating ceremony. Let this castle rot. I’ll stay at the border and do my duty.

Without Leanna, this place feels empty. It’s no longer my home.

Chapter 12

Leanna Avery

Eight years later

“Finn! Finn Avery, you put down that box right now!”

My seven-year-old flinches before looking over his shoulder at me sheepishly. “Mom. You’re awake.”

I flick on the lights of the kitchen to see my son standing on a stool, the snacks cupboard open and a box of wafers in his hands. “Of course I’m awake. You knocked over two lamps on your way to the kitchen. You could wake the dead with how much noise you make.”

“I was hungry.”

“Oh, you were, were you?” I narrow my eyes at him. “Would this have anything to do with the fact that you shifted while I was out tonight and wreaked havoc in the house? Nice job trying to tape up the painting you ripped.”

His mouth moves like a fish’s before he finally mutters, “Saw that, did you?”

“Yes, I did. How many times do I have to tell you not to shift when I’m not home?”

I pluck the snack box from his hand, put it back in the cupboard, and close the door. Lifting him from the stool, I set him down on the ground. “I’ll make you something to eat.”

“Can we have meat?” he asks eagerly as I open the fridge.

“That’s what I was going to give you.” I take out some beef tenderloins and heat up the wok. I toss some frozen vegetables into the pan after the beef has cooked through, stir-frying it with some sauces. There’s a packet of pre-boiled noodles that find their way in there, as well.

My son perches on the kitchen counter, watching me. “You were out really late, Mom. You were supposed to tuck me in and read to me from the storybook. Maya doesn’t read it like you do.”

“I know.” I kiss him on the nose. “I had something to do. I figured you would be asleep by now. Didn’t Maya tuck you in?”

“I wasn’t tired.” He kicks his small legs back and forth, looking eagerly at the food.

“You didn’t shift in front of her, did you?” I frown at him.

He looks guilty. “She just wanted to see how fast I could run. We were careful!”

My jaw tenses. “Finn, I don’t want you revealing your form in front of her unnecessarily. I want you to be careful. You shouldn’t trust just anybody.”

“But Maya isn’t just anybody. She’s our friend,” my son argues.