Page 59 of Urban Gladiator

I was looking through his closet, thinking I needed to take one or two of his shirts. Shirts I would never wash because they smelled like him and I didn’t want to lose that. Bixby entered, carrying a tray with heavenly smells wafting from it.

“Bixby, it’s good to see you.”

He smiled and set the tray down on a table. “Likewise, miss.”

“How’s Mistress Lara these days?” The last I’d seen the two of them, they’d been in the throes of a rather epic fuck in the kitchen.

Sublime satisfaction entered his visage. “She’s quite well now that she moved into my room.”

“It’s serious, then?” If there was nothing else I had done in this city, this was what I was most proud of, getting these two souls together.

“I’m going to ask for her hand in marriage. But don’t say anything.”

“Your secret is safe with me. And I’m thrilled for you, Bixby. Truly.” At least someone I knew would get their happily ever after.

“None of it would be possible without the spell you performed, so thank you.”

“Once I’m gone, you’ll need the spell renewed every year. Go to my coven and ask for Iris. That’s my sister. I’ll write her a note you can deliver to her. It will give her the instructions on how to renew the spell for you.”

Bixby hugged me. “I can never repay your kindness.”

“You already are, protecting Rowan and keeping my presence here secret. But I’m going to ask you a favor.”

“Anything for you.”

“When I’m gone, take care of him for me.” My bottom lip trembled, and I fought the urge to cry. I need his word on this. “Promise me you will.”

He gripped my hands in his and squeezed. “Absolutely. Is there no hope for the two of you?”

Tears I didn’t want to shed trailed down my cheeks. “If I stay, it will cause a war and disrupt the kingdom. I can’t do that to him. Because I—it doesn’t matter what I feel. Just take care of him. That’s all I ask.”

Bixby bowed his head. “Your wish is my command. Eat. I will be back with some clothes for you. Is there anything else I can bring you?”

“Those toiletry items you brought to the red room. I could use a soak in the tub after all those days in the woods.”

That brought a smile to his face. “Certainly, miss. I’ll be back in a jiffy.”

When I was alone, I sat at the small table, picking at my food and trying to figure out a way around the upcoming separation and finding none. Rowan was right in his assumption. Short of spelling the clans into a peace accord, which was illegal, I didn’t know another way to circumvent my departure from Avalon.

Bixby dropped off clothes and toiletries. And because I wanted to look beautiful for Rowan when he returned, I headed into the bath. No closer to a solution that didn’t result in two broken hearts.

25

Later that day, I strode through the halls toward my father’s throne room. A room I would soon occupy far too often. The burden of responsibility weighed my shoulders down. And I noticed how lavish my father had made this part of the castle. Once I was on the throne, this shit was going to end.

Guards opened the heavy, wooden double doors. Taking a deep breath, I entered the throne room. The ebony wood floor gleamed. Heavy gray stone pillars lined the walls. The ceiling was domed with intricate gold leaf. At the far end, on a raised dais, my father sat upon his throne. Grayson stared down benevolently at all the attendants and guards. But I knew the real him. He sneered at everyone as if they were lesser. When I ruled, things would be vastly different.

My father’s stern, blunt gaze landed on me. Then in a booming voice, he said to the attendants and guards, “Leave us.”

Everyone scurried to do my father’s bidding as fast as possible until it was just the two of us.

“Where have you been?” My father scowled, his face twisted, fury blazing in his brown eyes.

“With my prize.” I refused to give him the satisfaction of knowing he had an angle to play with me. He didn’t need to know that Ember was my mate.

“The witch! She burned the arena to the ground. Even now, I have workers trying to repair the damage she caused. Why would you want to spend time with her?”

Keeping my face impassive, I shrugged. “She’s mine to do with as I please. I won her fairly in the arena.”

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