Page 104 of Queen of the Crimson Throne

“We’re missing something,” I mussed, tapping my fingers on the arm of the couch. “The Vanir and these disappearances, Arlo having my father's research, they all have to be connected somehow.” I forced myself to look at Luka, my chest squeezing at the dejected look on his face. “And King Arlo might have been that connection.”

The room was silent, none of us daring to say anything or even look at one another, lest acknowledge the potential truth of my statement.

“What do we do next?” Kara finally asked.

“We need to go back Alethens,” Luka said, turning our attention to him.

“What do you mean we go back to Alethens?” We couldn’t leave. Not when we were finally getting somewhere.

“You’re due to go back in a few daysanyway. Instead of waiting a couple of weeks for the wedding, I’ll come with you now. I’ll make up some excuse to my grandfather.”

“You don’t have to,” I argued.

“Yes, I do.” He ran his fingers through his hair. “I can’t be here with my grandfather right now. I—” He sighed deeply. “I need some time to sort this all out.”

“Okay,” I said softly. “If that’s what you want we’ll do it.”

“It is,” he confirmed.

“I have an idea.” Luce looked up from her lap, meeting our expectant gazes. “But I don’t think you’re going to like it.”

“Spit it out,” I pressed.Anything,I’d do anything if it had the potential to help us.

Luce let out a deep breath. “Once we get everyone back to Alethens, we need to summon the Goddess.”

40

LUKA

My room was out of liquor.

I don’t know how, but I had a sneaking suspicion it was due to a certain silver haired wolf. Which is how I found myself scouring through the deserted palace kitchen in search of something that would help curve my never ending thoughts.

I didn’t want to talk to anyone about it. I turned away Nico and Declan when they arrived at my door earlier tonight. I needed to be alone with my thoughts to sort them all out without anyone else’s opinions first.

I didn’t have many people in my life that cared about me. So the idea my grandfather could be behind such heinous acts… I had talked myself in circles trying to convince myself he had nothing to do with the murder of Lennox’s parents, or the Vanir, or disappearing vampires.

But the evidence was fucking compelling.

It appears like I might know my grandfather even less than I thought.

That was the circle I found myself in hour after hour until I had finally had enough and went in search of a drink, only to find my bar cart in my room empty, sending me on my little search to the kitchen.

Finally, I found a bottle of liquor, stashed in the far top corner of the pantry. The clear liquid had no label and was half empty—surely something the staff kept hidden for times of need.

I took a long swig straight from the bottle, it burned sliding down my throat.

“Fuck.” I winced, wiping my mouth with the back of my hand.

Whatever it was, it was fucking strong. I left the kitchen, taking the bottle with me. I’d replace it another day with something far tastier, but I’d suffer through drinking it tonight. Anything to numb my thoughts.

“Luka?” I stilled at the sound of Lennox’s voice drifting toward me from behind. I looked over my shoulder, she still wore her dress from earlier. The same one I had roamed my hands under in the alcove.

My cock stirred at the memory of my hands digging into her ass and the little sounds that fell from her lips as I pinned her to the wall.

“What have you been up to?” I willed my thoughts to take a much safer path.

She fell into step next to me. “I was on a walk. I needed to clear my thoughts.”

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