Page 35 of Wicked Thirst
“Perhaps it is the reason you are not yet wed.”
I shrugged. “Perhaps.”
“Bravo, I do believe she’s the first one we’ve met with some . . . spirit.” Graymont gave his hands a small clap. “I applaud you.”
“Do not encourage her, Brother,” Titus snapped at Graymont. “Her demeanor leaves something to be desired.”
“Or perhaps it’s my resentment of being put on display like a prized pig for the King to choose from.” Complete idiocy, Moira. Complete and total idiocy. “What I mean to say is, I’d very much like to leave.”
“We have gathered that from your words.” Titus motioned to the door. “Please do before you continue to wound your social standing and my pride further.”
I hurried to the door and heard Graymont snicker. “She’s rather perfect.”
Titus scoffed. “Hardly, Brother.”
“Mark my words, not everything is as it seems with that one.”
I wanted to call back and tell him I couldn’t agree more. But I’d already said my share, and I was sure I wouldn’t be hearing from the King or his charming brother anytime soon, which suited me just fine.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
PIPER
“Moira, are you all right?” I reached for her hand and took it into mine. I gave her fingers a light squeeze. I couldn’t imagine what she must be going through. First losing her husband to this curse and then a most beloved son. I didn’t know how she was even still standing.
She shook herself as if pulling herself into the present. “Yes, I-I’m fine. Just memories getting the better of me. Things I long since tried to forget.”
“I can’t imagine what this is like for you. And I know I’m asking a lot of you.”
She shook her head and those long chocolate locks fell around her face in messy tatters. I’d never seen her so not put together. It was a bit unnerving for me. But I could see the strength she showed even now just by being here and helping. Even while Grayson was in such mortal danger. She held my hands tighter, and when her gaze met mine, I saw nothing but determination.
“This curse . . . it is a plague on us all. It takes down one after another. Vampires are meant to be immortal. We are meant to be together for eternity.” Her eyes welled with unshed tears. “And now it has taken my son, which I cannot bear.”
“I’m going to do everything I can. I swear it.”
She pulled me closer so we were only inches apart. “I know you will, dearest, but this curse is too big for just one to handle. You need help.”
I nodded. “That’s why I came to you.”
“I wish I were enough.” She lowered her voice. “You must go to Evermore Academy and seek out the Witch Queens. I know not who they are, but Grayson has made allies there. They’re very powerful and might have exactly what you need to finally break this horrid cycle.”
Excitement pumped through my veins. This could be a first lead. “Where is the Academy?”
“New York City. Do be cautious and keep your wits about you. While he may be friends with the Queens, they are very dangerous and might not take kindly to you just showing up. I don’t know enough about them to tell you anymore, but it takes a powerful witch to cast a curse and it’ll take an even more powerful one to help you break it.”
“Thank you, Moira.”
“I wish I could go myself. But I am the advisor to the King of the Vampires. If I go and there is a conflict, it means we’d engage in a political mess I couldn’t clean up. The witches have been in upheaval and there is a new ruler we don’t know, but I want to go so badly.”
“No, Moira, the King needs you here. I can go to the witches and plead our case. If they were half as fond of Gray as I am, then they will help us.” I gave her hands one last squeeze and turned down the hallway.
“Piper!” she called out after me.
I whirled around. “Yes?”
“Do whatever you have to do to save him.” She glanced down at her hands, breaking eye contact. “No matter what sacrifices must be made.”
She looked so haunted standing there alone with the empty castle surrounding her. The silence of the hallway felt heavy between us. When she raised her eyes to look at me, all I could see was a lifetime of sadness. In another life and in another time, I could picture her with Grayson’s quick wit and easy smile. But that was all gone now, and all that was left was a wife without a husband and a mother without her son.
