Page 46 of Blood Weaver
“Why are you putting so much effort into protecting me?” I raised a brow.
Ronan looked over at Silas cautiously and then back at me.
I raised my chin defiantly. “Say it.”
“Leila,” he said sternly.
“Is it because I’m—” I started to say, before Ronan hurriedly covered my mouth.
Our faces were inches away as he gripped the back of my head. He glared at me. “Are you insane?” he whispered. “Unless you have a death wish, I suggest you keep quiet!”
His crimson eyes darkened as he stared me down and kept his hand over my mouth. I unconsciously licked my lips, which made him furrow his brows. He slowly released me. I didn’t realize how fast my heart was beating, but when his touch left me, I felt its absence and craved his touch again.
The thought made me frown. I shouldn’t crave a single thing from him.
“I’m protecting you because you’remine, do you understand?” he said loud enough for Silas to hear.
“I’m not property,” I growled. “I belong to no one!”
He smirked. “Think again, princess,” he whispered before turning around to face Silas. He peered over his shoulder at me and said, “If you’re returning to Lomewood, fine, I won’t stop you. But don’t get yourself captured or get hurt. Do you understand?”
I cleared my throat and looked away.
“Do you understand?” he repeated a bit louder.
“Yes!” I exclaimed, clearly exasperated.
With that, he and Silas left me alone in the cabin. After all the days we’d spent clustered in the small confines, the emptiness felt like a void. I’d gotten used to Ronan being there, and I didn’t like that at all. Not one bit.
I waiteduntil nightfall before making the trek back to Lomewood, hoping the darkness would shield me from anyone searching for me in the mountains. When I entered the capital of the Central Plains, I didn’t bother going to my clinic. As foolish as it was, I went straight to the Rose Petal.
The light illuminating the pleasure house was a welcoming sight after so many nights spent by candlelight. It was packed with patrons, and lilting music filtered out into the street every time the door opened.
I opened one of the heavy doors and was stopped immediately by the male employee who handled the security of the place. I frowned. “Thomas, what’s going on?”
His face was stony. “Sorry, Leila, but you’re no longer allowed on the premises. You need to leave.”
I frowned. “What? Why? Where’s Selene?”
“She’s safe,” he replied cryptically.
“That’s not an answer, Thomas. Where is she?” I demanded, taking a step closer and encroaching on his personal space.
“Please, Leila,” he groaned. “I don’t want to hurt you.”
“And I don’t want to hurtyou. So answer me.”
He was about to speak when Madam Rose sauntered up to the entrance, looking entirely too pleased with herself. Her lips were painted bright red and her hair was pulled back in its customary chignon. Her knowing smirk annoyed me to no end.
“Well, look who has finally decided to grace us with her presence!” Madam Rose announced.
“Where is Selene?” I demanded.
“She’s safe. That’s all you need to know,” she smirked. “Although, I think you should be worrying about your own safetyinstead of the mermaid’s. Due to our …friendship, I won’t report you, but that won’t stop my patrons from reporting you and collecting the bounty in your name.”
I glanced at some of those who were loitering near the door, eavesdropping on our conversation. “Did you … did you sell Selene?” I asked hesitantly, wondering if Marcellus really bought her.
Madam Rose threw her head back and laughed. “You think I would really let go of such a rarity?”
