Page 58 of Cursed Lifeline

I may not be the most intelligent man, but I know better than to question the fae, especially when they’re part of the royal court.

“When will this life begin,” I ask eagerly. “Where? How soon?”

“Like I told your friend,” the fae angrily glances Felix’s way. I’m tempted to correct her. He’ll never be close to anything that resembles a friend. But I stay silent and wait, anxious to hear more. “I don’t control time. Only life.”

“Then why are you here,” Caelum snaps. “What do you want? Because it would be more beneficial to all of us if you could control time, Princess Ambrosia, seeing as a very important person, perished from all of our lives just a few hours ago. I’ll admit, it’s a curious wonder you can control life. But if we’re not around when Esme returns, what good does that do? Hell, we could all be old men by the time she’s brought back to life, that is if all of this is true. So what the hell does it matter if...”

I hold up my hand silencing Caelum. Thankfully, he reigns in his anger and quiets.

“How does this involve any of us?” I ask angrily.

Felix rises from his seat, glides eerily around the desk, and pulls Evangeline towards us. She struggles against his grip at first, and I only manage to hold back from ripping his hand off her sweet, sinful frame because he quickly lets her go when she decides to take a step forward on her own terms.

“Sacrifice,” Felix mocks.

The fae stiffens. My gaze falls on her. She looks everywhere but at any of us. Sadness fills my chest for her. I don’t know why. Sorrow, grief, I sense it mirrors and matches mine as her melancholy eyes finally drift to meet my gaze.

“Tell them, princess,” Felix seethes. “Or shall I remind you of the threat that...”

My hand pulls the dagger from my side so quickly that Silas and Caelum jolt back in shock. Felix watches me earnestly. A smile pulls across his smug face and I realize I’ve shown a weak spot neither of us knew I had until now.

Her.

To my surprise, when I look back at Evangeline, I don’t see fear in her eyes anymore. Instead, I see compassion. Empathy.

“I can make it so no matter how much time passes, you’ll be there when Esme comes back to life,” she whispers. Stunned, I take a step back. My brow furrows. “If you’re willing, to sacrifice your mortal life, I can ensure you’ll be there to...”

“Train her. Work with me. Ensure that no one harms her ever again,” Felix finishes for the fae.

The beautiful woman in front of me swallows hard, questioning me with a worried expression. She wants to know if I know what I am getting into. What accepting this offer entails.

“What about us,” Caelum quickly asks. “Does that include...”

“You’re of no use to me,” Felix snaps. “This offer only includes Alfred.”

“No,” I blurt out. The fae’s eyes widen. Felix takes a heated step forward. My brothers are quick to take a challenging step in the vampire’s direction as well.

“You have your coven,” I explain, as my eyes leave the thrilling blue of the fae’s stare and focus on her escort. “I’m only one man. If I do this, I need a team as well.”

“You’ll have me,” Felix grits out.

“And we all see how well that ended for us this last time,” I mock.

He growls, low and threatening, as he debates my counteroffer.

“If they’re willing,” I say, as I glance Silas and Caelum’s way, “I’ll only do whatever this is if they’re given the same offer. If you can ensure they’ll be there with me, every step of the way.”

“I’m not sure...” Evangeline starts to say, but Silas is quick to cut her off.

“I’ll do it,” he says, eagerly stepping forward.

“Maybe it’ll finally change your life and your attitude for the better,” Caelum chuckles, but his laugh fades as Silas shoots him an evil glare.

“Me too,” Caelum quickly adds. He bumps me with his elbow, and I give him a thankful nod.

“I’m not sure how all of this will work,” Evangeline says as she tosses Felix a worried look over her shoulder. “Becoming fae…”

“Becoming what?” Caelum questions quickly.

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