Page 22 of Cold Heir

“If you’d like to sleep on it, you have my contact information,” he reminded me. “But it would be remiss of me not to equip you with all the details before you go, details pertinent to the choice you’re faced with.”

Hearing his grave tone, I peered up at him again.

“These images,” he sighed, “they were taken at the Dorchester Compound, approximately one year ago.”

At first, I thought I heard him incorrectly, replaying his statement several times in my thoughts before I accepted what had been revealed.

“These were taken from the night Regina died?” My heart felt weighed down when I said the words out loud. “Blackbird was there?”

Jon placed a hand on my shoulder, meant to console me, I guessed. Only, there was no consolation for that deep a loss, the kind that made it feel like your soul itself had turned cold.

“While no one can say for certain, I believe this photomorethan proves Blackbird was responsible,” was Jon’s stance. “I can give you a few days to think things over and—”

“Do it.” The words left my mouth in a rush, before I could change my mind. Before I could convince myself that it wasn’t the right thing to do.

Jon did well to conceal how pleased he was that I’d pledged my full support, giving him the greenlight to pursue the leads he had roping my Dynasty Brothers in with Corina.

“The moment I have more information, you’ll be the first person I call.”

Standing, I nodded. And as I made my way toward the exit, I held an image of Blackbird in my thoughts as darkness spread within me, like a rogue river that surged into a valley.

“Please do,” I answered. “I look forward to hearing from you again.”

Chapter Eight

Corina

Few would argue that craving a monster was anything short of sacrilegious, heretical even. And yet, for me, when it came to the beast who forced me to engage in a Claiming ceremony against my will, it bore asecondconnotation.

It wreaked of truth, because I dreamed of him again.

Thoughts of Aaric mingled with the fresh memory of being with Levi. Even now, as he rested quietly beside me, my thoughts were torn equally between three—Levi, Julian, and Aaric.

Thinking about my new connection, I stared at the green-painted wall of Glenn’s guest bedroom, mere inches away. When I released a breath, Levi’s chest pressed to my naked back, and the feel of him so close soothed some of the tension. Next, the tip of a cool fingertip traced the curve of my shoulder and my eyes drifted closed.

“We’ll be out of here today,” he promised, “back with Si and Julian.” There was no missing that he was at least as anxious for that as I was. Although, I was certain he didn’t carry the anxiety that I did.

A small part of me still questioned whether Julian’s affection toward me would be overshadowed by anger—for what I’d done, for the unwanted attention I likely drew his way when I left. I didn’t regret trying to get away, but I can admit to wishing that doing so hadn’t possibly cost me his trust.

Reaching for Levi’s hand, I laced my fingers with his. When I didn’t speak, I knew he sensed I wasn’t myself this morning. After what we shared the night before, we should have still been basking in the afterglow. Yet, here I was, fretting over a dream that starred one of the cruelest Ianites I encountered in my lifetime.

The effects of the Claiming were no respecter of persons, which meant I felt for one what I felt for them all, including the one who hadn’t been inanyof our plans. My connection to Aaric was, unfortunately, no different than with the others. Just as I longed for the two princes’ day and night, a deep part of my soul now longed for him too.

On some nights, there were nightmares, flashes from the evening I’d been attacked, and then drugged. Other nights, like the last, the dreams were of a more …carnalnature. Ones where my subconscious had thrust me into compromising positions with that animal, making it harder to feed the hatred within, because the way I experienced him in those dreams was so starkly different from what I knew to be therealhim.

“Everything okay?”

It didn’t surprise me when Levi asked, seeing as how I hadn’t said a word since opening my eyes.

“I’m fine,” I lied, forcing out thoughts of Aaric as best as I could. He didn’t get to do this—overtake my thoughts.

I nestled against Levi beneath the comforter, fitting my hips snuggly to his pelvis, until our bodies fit together like pieces of a puzzle. He welcomed the closeness, engulfing me in his arms.

“Unfortunately, I have to step out for a moment to check in with the old man,” he announced, placing a lazy kiss to my shoulder. The feel of it made me smile, reminding me of a couple who’d been at this for years.

“Do you think he was able to get through? Do you think Julian took his call?” I heard the anxious tone of my own voice.

When Levi nodded, stubble from his chin tickled the crook of my neck, inducing a broader grin than before.

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