Page 107 of Queen of the Crimson Throne

“You did?”

She nodded against my chest. “I don’t know why. The nickname infuriated me at first, but somewhere along the line that changed.”

“I’ve always loved it when you called me Bloodsucker,” I admitted. “Made me feel real special.”

I jolted as she poked me in the side.

Her breathing became shallow as we let the silence take over. When I was sure she was asleep, she spoke again.

“Do you remember that night at the tavern, when we played the game and Declan asked me what my biggest regret was and I drank instead of answering?” Of course, I remembered that night. That stupid fucking question. I thought for sure she’d say she regretted me. I tried to prepare myself for the sting her answer would give, even though it never came it hurt just as much.

“I think my biggest regret—my only regret, is ordering you to walk out of the training center that day.” I closed my eyes, unable to stop the shutter that wracked my body at her confession.

“After the attack on Alethens, I used to think back on those days leading up to the attack, after we returned from the Mystic Court. I’d replay those days over and over again and think about what I would do differently. I still do sometimes, but I’ve come to the conclusion there wasn’t much I could have donedifferently. I did everything I could. But I still remember the look on your face when I told you to leave. It haunts my nightmares. Every time I close my eyes I see the pain and hurt on your face.” Her voice broke.

“I regret asking you to leave. I regret not going after you.” She paused. “I regret not asking you to stay. Every day I wonder how different things might have been if I’d asked you to stay.”

“You still can—ask me to stay,” I said quietly.

“I can’t.” Her voice was pained.

“Why not?”

“I’m afraid of what you might say.” She was quiet for a moment. “Afraid you might say no.” She paused. “Afraid you might say yes.” Her hand flexed on my chest.Time, she still needed more time.

“When you’re ready, ask me again.” She clutched me tighter, closing her eyes as she buried her face into my neck.

“Goodnight Lennox.” I placed a kiss on her forehead.” She was silent for several moments before her voice broke through the silence.

“Goodnight Luka.”

41

LUCIANA

Two days later I met Lennox, Luka, Declan, and Nico in a forest outside Cel Nox to transfer them back to Alethens to save travel time.

Time is always of the essence these days.

Which is why I had been running on close to two hours of sleep every night.

After spending all day attending to my duties as crown princess, I alternated spending my nights researching in the library and working on my spell with the Dhampir. Both projects had resulted in nothing of use so far, which made my lack of sleep even more frustrating.

Each night I felt like the moment I got close to reaching for the magic inside the Dhampir I passed out, waking later to a wrung-out body and a crusted wound on my hand.

If I was going to lose sleep, I’d at least like it to be for some reward.

I gave Lennox two days to get her affairs in order before I returned so we could summon the Goddess.

We were going to summon Astria.

Likea bunch of fucking idiots.

No one had ever been successful in summoning Astria. Some said it was a crime to do so and interrupt her. But damn interrupting her. We needed her help.

And if anyone would be able to summon Astria, it would be me, Kara, and Lennox.

Three witches whose Hecate’s blood ran through.

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