Page 20 of Blood Weaver
Caelan’s eyes brightened, eager to be of service. “Of course, what is it?”
“Can you escort Selene back to the Rose Petal Lounge?”
“Yes!” Marcellus answered immediately. “Of course we can.”
I bit back a laugh at his enthusiastic response.
“Leila!” Selene scolded. “You need someone to tend to you—”
“I’m fine,” I cut her off and pushed her towards the door. “I don’t plan on dying in my sleep, and you need to go back before Madam Rose has a hissy fit.”
She groaned but did as she was told. Marcellus held her elbow gallantly and hurried to open the carriage door for her.
Just before Caelan stepped out of my clinic, he leaned in and gave me an earnest look. “Thanks again, Leila.”
I nodded and watched them leave in silence. Once they were trotting down the street, I turned around and faced Ronan’s steely-eyed gaze. “You can go now, too.”
He walked toward me like he was about to leave, but instead of walking out the door, he closed it and turned the lock.
“We need to have a talk …Princess.”
7
Istood there in horror when Ronan said the one thing I’d carefully hidden for the last ten years. I kept quiet, hoping that no admission was a good enough answer.
Ronan laughed and stepped away from the door. “Ah, you almost fooled me … almost. But too many things didn’t add up,” he said. “The simple fact that you knew without a doubt that the Crimson Clan didn’t have the princess was my biggest clue, but saving Prince Caelan sealed the deal.” His eyes scanned the length of my body and slid back up to my face. “Also, your crescent moon dress just screams Valoria.”
“You don’t know anything!” I denied hotly.
“I don’t?” he said with a raised brow. “Please enlighten me. Where have I gone wrong?” he asked knowingly.
Taking a deep breath, I tried to hold onto the façade a little longer, but his piercing gaze saw right through me. I cursed myself for being careless and letting my emotions take control.
“Why are you here in the Central Plains? Shouldn’t you be at the palace, surrounded by guards?” Ronan leaned in closer, his crimson eyes scrutinizing me.
“I can’t go back,” I whispered. “Not after what happened.”
His eyes softened a bit. “What happened, Leila? Why did the Princess of Valoria vanish into thin air?”
I bit my lip and walked over to the window, where I gazed down onto a street filled with hundreds of revelers celebrating the lantern festival. “Honestly … I don’t know,” I admitted. “Keldara invaded Valoria. The attack was sudden and unexpected. My parents snuck me out of Valoria with my guardian and I never looked back.”
Ronan frowned. “I don’t understand. Keldara’s attack was sudden, but they weren’t prepared to face down Valorian mages. They lost and had to retreat within three days. Why didn’t you return after Valoria claimed victory?”
“I wish I knew …” I looked away from the window and back at Ronan. “All I know is that my guardian told me it wasn’t safe. He told me I shouldn’t return and promised to tell me why when I was older.”
Ronan stared at me for a quiet moment as if he wanted to say something, but then he seemed to change his mind. “Oh,” was all he said. He glanced around my clinic. “Where is your guardian now?”
I shrugged one shoulder. “He died.”
He frowned. “Then you should have returned!”
I shook my head. “Not until I find out why he was so adamant about me staying hidden.” I walked over to the scarred wooden counter and started putting away the plants and herbs Selene pulled out to make my poultice. “So whatever it is that you want, just do it and get it over with. I’m tired of running and hiding.”
Ronan sounded almost offended. “You think I’ll take you to the Crimson Clan? To my father?” he guessed.
I nodded. “Isn’t that your whole purpose here? To capture the long-lost Princess of Valoria? I mean, you’ve already told all of Asteria that she’s your hostage.”
He grimaced. “That was my father’s plan … not mine.”
