Page 81 of Lunar Diamonds
The urge to hug him came upon me. “Thanks. But I’m done. You can talk, if you want.”
He straightened his spine, his eyes on the carpet. “I’m so grateful for this. I really didn’t think I’d be free of Rhianna.” His shoulders sagged. “Thank you. Thank you so, so much. You’ve saved my life.”
I scratched at my chin, sadness like a separate aura in the shape of a dark cloud. His words smothered painful truths, hiding them from the world. I wouldn’t pry, but I wanted him to know he had a friend in me. And I didn’t care that this was all moving so fast, that I seemed to be over everything already.
I just couldn’t be mad at him. Bonded to a shadow witch? Awful. So damn awful. If I were in the same situation, Hecate only knew how I’d react.
My mum would shame me for being a pushover.
“I’m here to listen,” I said. “If you need me to.”
He lifted his head, those eyes so rich and full of mystery. “Thank you.”
I nodded, giving him a smile.
He didn’t return it, dropping his eyes again. “I made a mistake.”
Jealousy spiked again. “With Rhianna?”
“Yes. I shouldn’t have given in to my impulses. I’ve lived too long to make those sorts of fuck ups.” He shook his head.
I shuffled in my seat, unsure of what to say.
Drake stood up, stretching his arms above his head. “How about a walk? To explore the mansion a bit?”
“Sounds good.” I stared at him, my curiosity higher than ever.
He pulled a black cylinder from his pocket. Popping the lid, he took two deep sniffs.
“Ginkgo powder?” I asked.
“Yes.” He closed the lid and returned it to his pocket.
Most people took ginkgo powder to alleviate mental struggles, their way of getting through the days. It’d been offered to me by my doctor during the early stages of my treatment, but I couldn’t tolerate the sharp, burning scent.
“Ready?” he asked.
The time for talking was done. A walk would be nice.
He sniffed his shirt. “Doesn’t smell great.”
I can only smell mint.“What about fresh clothes?” His stuff would be at the Kingwood’s hideout, right?
“Alice is getting me some stuff,” he answered. “I’ll have to hit the shops at some point.” He eyed my sequin dolphin. “That’s such a cute top.”
“Oh. Thanks. Doesn’t smell great either.” Neither did the rest of me.
But rather than shower, I went exploring with Mr. Yummy.
Aurora Mansion blew my mind.It featured all sorts—a library, a gym, a recreation room, a ballroom, even a grand dining room. There was a huge basement level with an underground carpark, wine cellar, a second spell room, and a garage full of vehicles. There was even an underground river with a boat connecting to the sea via a series of canal-style locks.
The celestial room sat in the west wing, on the first floor, behind a titanium door, sealed by three bolts—one gold, one silver, the other a pearly white.
I pressed my hand to it, the hairs on my arms lifting as if under static electricity. “What a shame we can’t pick the lock.”
Drake said nothing, standing quietly off the side.
Power beyond comprehension. Ancestral power. Mine.
