Page 83 of War of Her Heart

It was eating me alive, but I knew it was for the best. Nathara was watching, and I couldn’t risk her thinking I was still with Violet.

I knew now more than ever that I had to find my way out of this. Time was running out, but I couldn’t bring Nathara back to the Mountain Realm. Even though I’d gain full control and authority of her and her mother, they were sneaky.

They would find a way to hurt Violet and not leave a trace of proof that it was them. I had lost hope that I would find the object draining Sebastian. Alastor and I had listened to everylittle conversation between staff and servants, I’d contacted some allies in other realms trying to see if anyone knew who was behind it, but there was nothing.

And frankly, I didn’t want to save the bastard now. The way he looked at what was mine, I’d rather see his demise.

I had barely slept these last few nights as I’d tried to lock in plan B. I’d been to the other realms, had secret meetings, trying to find another engagement. One to create an alliance that would satisfy my council that would include a more even-tempered lady. One that wouldn’t dare to come between mine and Violet’s relationship.

But with every meeting, I’d come up short. Everyone feared Sebastian’s retaliation for going behind his back. Even with the knowledge that he was growing weaker by the day, they said they wouldn’t do anything until he was dead.

I allowed my breakfast to grow cold as I was overcome with exhaustion. All I wanted to do was sleep for the entire day after spending the entire night trying to convince the Flower Realm of a betrothal, but Nathara was at my door first thing this morning with a full schedule for today.

Breakfast with her mother, always.

Dance lessons.

Band selection.

And because the castle grounds weren’t big enough, a trip to a nearby village for a “stroll.”

The terrace must be Nathara’s favorite spot because we seemed to do everything out here, overlooking the maze of hedges with the weirdest little flowers.

I knew I needed to sleep when I started hallucinating Violet.

No, wait. I wasn’t hallucinating.

The first time I’d set my eyes on her in days, and she’d never looked so bad.

She was headed straight for me and Nathara. I felt Nathara’s grip tighten once she noticed Violet.

“Oh, this will be fun,” she whispered in my ear.

I gritted my teeth. It took every ounce of restraint I had not to snatch my arm out of her grip. Every time Nathara did something like this, I had to think of my realm, of the purpose I had and why I was here. I was Sovereign, and the needs of my realm came before my own, no matter how hard it was to do this to Violet.

Violet stopped a few feet in front of us but kept her puffy eyes with dark circles underneath looking ahead, refusing to look at either of us.

“Can I spend some time alone with my father?” she asked.

“Yes,” I said before looking at my Commander. “Go ahead, Alastor.”

That was odd. They barely spoke unless it was a matter of importance or anything to do with Violet’s well-being.

Her hair was slightly disheveled, and she had an overall look of defeat on her face. I couldn’t blame her after she had to watch me be intimate with Nathara, though.

That still didn’t explain her wanting to speak to her father. She wouldn’t tell him what happened.

They walked through the garden and continued into the woods until they were out of my sight.

What I would give to hear that conversation.

They were gone for a while, though I was glad my Commander didn’t watch me trip over my feet trying to learn the intricate dance Nathara wanted us to do at the party after the ceremony.

I was trained to fight, not dance.

When Alastor finally made it out of the woods, he was alone.

Violet needs to talk to you,Alastor said down the tether that held us together as he walked up the steps to the terrace.I scrunched my eyebrows as I glanced at him before quickly removing the look from my face.

---