Page 45 of Captive of the Stolen Empire

I shook my head. “Sorry. I’m really not feeling well.”

She had no idea who the man at her side was—she couldn’t. What did he hope to learn by getting cozy with my friend? Or by some rare chance, had something sparked between them like between Lucien and me?

“I should leave you two,” Warren said, rising to his feet. “Perhaps we can share a dance again later this evening before you leave?”

Elin practically glowed. She truly had no idea who he was. “That would be lovely. I can’t wait,” she said.

He bowed his head and wandered off into the crowd. Warren knew I’d discovered his secret. I sent a quick prayer to Vespera hoping the information would not come back to hurt me—or worse, us.

“He’s so kind,” Elin continued once he was out of earshot. “It’s such a pity that we don’t get to come here more often. I’d really like to…well, I suppose I can’t dwell on that.” She gave me a sad smile.

“Perhaps you’ll see him again after tonight.” She would, much sooner than she ever expected.

“Maybe.” Her gaze turned wistful as she looked off into the crowd in the direction he’d gone.

“About Gabriel,” I prompted.

She shook herself at my words. “Oh yes, when I saw him earlier, he said he’d be back in just a bit. But I’m not sure where he went off to.”

“I need to find him. If you see him, tell him—”

“Lady Ilya?” A guard spoke just behind me. I froze, my muscles going stiff all at once. Between the music, the crackle of fire, and din of conversation, I’d never heard him approach.

I twisted around to the voice at my back. Ajax, one of Lucien’s guards, stood just a few handsbreadths away. “Yes?”

“I was told you needed an early ride back? We are ready to take you now.”

Shit. Terrible timing.

“One moment.” I rose and dusted off my dress. “If you see him,” I said to Elin, ignoring the guard, “then please tell him…tell him to wait.”

Her brows scrunched together as I took her hands in mine. “Be safe tonight. Don’t let any pretty faces sway you.”Please understand what I’m trying to say.With a forced smile, I released her hands. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Two waves of worry—one for my friends and another for what awaited me with Lucien—crashed together. The dice had been rolled, and only time would tell if I’d hit a winning number or a damning one.

Chapter21

Ilya

The ride took ages and no time at all. Part of me yearned to hide in there forever, worrying for my friends and fearing the encounter to come. But another part of me ached to continue what Lucien and I had started at the festival. The latter part finally won out, giving me courage as I exited the carriage and strode through the castle with the guards.

“Thank you, Ajax.”

The kindly guard bobbed his head to me, his companion doing the same. The whole walk through the corridors, I’d wondered whether they knew Lucien’s unmasked face or if he’d found some other way to instruct them to escort me back here. The question rose to the tip of my tongue over and over, but each time I swallowed it down.

If they didn’t know, merely asking might give away the secret and ruin whatever favor I’d garnered thus far.

“Have a good night, miss,” he replied before closing the doors behind me.

My breaths seemed to echo in the quiet room. Dim lantern light flickered near the empty seating area. I’d expected Lucien, braced myself to see him here.

My heart sank. He’d drawn me away from the festival, from my friends, but hadn’t waited after all. “Lucien, why…”

I froze. The door to his room stood wide open, revealing stairs spiraling upward into darkness.

He waited for me. Up there.

An iron weight tumbled in my gut, making my limbs sluggish and uncertain. My goal was within reach: get into his room, learn what I could. But it would cost me. With nothing to stop us or hold us back, he could ask for everything. And I’d give it to him. Not for my plans or agenda, but because deep within me, I wanted him. Ineededmore of the intoxicating rush that he fueled within me.

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