Page 53 of Queen of the Crimson Throne

I closed my eyes and gave my senses over to my surroundings. I felt nothing at first, but after a moment—I gasped. I felt her—the slight tingle at the base of my neck felt like delicate fingertips in a gentle caress. The smell of my mother surrounded me.

My mother—she was here. I opened my eyes, blinking back tears of my own now.

I am always with you, my Sitara.

“Kara.” I gasped. “Did you?—”

“Yes,” she breathed. “I—she’s here.”

“Lennox, Kara are you okay?” Luce’s voice was tentative.

I focused my eyes, blinking back tears. “Yeah.” I choked back a sob. “Yeah, I’m okay.” I shuttered as the sensation of my mother’s magic filled me. I looked over at my sister.

Kara smiled. “It’s good to be back in Arcadia.”

“My mother is expecting us.” Luce led us through the palace gates.

Luka had yet to say a word to me since Luce arrived this morning to take us to Arcadia. How much time did he need?

“My mother and Nico are havinglunch.” There was a sarcastic lilt to Luce’s tone as she spoke.

“You left Nico alone with Caterina?” I huffeda laugh. “Brave choice.”

“Ihad little choice in the matter. It appears she has taken an interest in the wolf, and you know Nico.” She lifted a shoulder. I did know Nico and I knew my aunt—either we’d find the two of them bloody and bruised or chatting up as best friends.

Turns out it was the latter. When we arrived at Caterina’s office, the Witch Queen and Nico were lounging like old friends, laughing as they sipped from half-empty glasses.

“Mama.” Luciana interrupted. “We’re here.”

“My dears.” Caterina set her glass on the table before she stood, holding her arms wide. “Come here, it has been way too long.”

I didn’t resist as she enveloped me and Kara in her embrace. I breathed in her warm cinnamon scent as I wrapped my arms around her. When she finally let go she stood back, keeping one of our hands in each of hers, her eyes turning glassy as she looked between the two of us.

“You remind me so much of her. I see her—I can feel her in you.”

I could see our mother in Caterina too. Although they were only half-sisters, only sharing their mother, they still held similarities. Caterina’s skin was several shades darker than my mother’s, but they had the same dark hair they shared with their mother. The biggest difference between my mother and Caterina was their eyes. Kara and I might have gotten our light hair from our father, but our green eyes came from our mother.

“Whew.” Caterina released our hands and took a deep breath, wiping the slight wetness from the corner of her eyes. “We will have time for a proper reunion later—this is not the proper way to welcome guests into my court.”

She turned towards Luka and Declan. “I hope you both excuse my state—it has been a long time since I have seen my nieces and I was not expecting to react this way.” She shook her head, her coiled curls bounced as she did.

“I am Caterina Abrose, Queen of the Mystic Court.” Declan and Luka bowed slightly as Caterina continued, “Nowwhich one of you is the lucky broad engaged to my dear niece Lennox?”

A sheepish smile pulled itself across Luka’s face. “That would be me.” He held out a hand to Caterina. “Luka Rossi. It is a pleasure to meet you.” Luka brought Caterina’s hand to his mouth, kissing the back of it before releasing it.

“You’ve got yourself a charmer I see,” she said smiling.

“You don’t know the half of it,” I mumbled, causing Caterina to raise a brow.

“Don’t think I won’t make you dive into that more later.” I knew with certainty Caterina would hold true to that promise.

She turned her attention to Declan. “And who are you? What an exquisite creature with wings like I’ve never seen. If I wasn’t involved, I might pay you more attention.”

“Mama,” Luce scolded.

Caterina smiled and shrugged a shoulder. “What? I’m only kidding,Lulita. Lighten up.”

Declan didn’t say anything, his same stony expression remained as Kara giggled beside him.

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