Page 69 of Blood Weaver
“Madam Rose has been unusually quiet lately,” Selene admitted.
I leaned closer, the urgency of our situation prompting a fervency in my voice. “Then you understand why I’m worried. If you want to leave, we need to act fast.”
Selene’s eyes drilled into mine and a storm of emotions swirled within them—fear, uncertainty, and the shadow of longing for freedom she hadn’t allowed herself to fully embrace.
“But don’t feel pressured, Selene. If you truly want to stay, I’ll understand. I just want to give you a choice.”
Selene shook her head. “No, you’re right. I need to leave. If I don’t now, I never will.”
“Alright, then. What’s our plan?”
21
After climbing out of Selene’s window and hopping to the next roof with no issue, I returned to the inn to rest for the few scant hours left of the night. Unfortunately, sleep never came. I tossed and turned and anxiously thought about my plan the next night for breaking Selene out of the Rose Petal. The plan was dangerous and risky. Madam Rose would dispatch slave hunters the instant she discovered Selene was missing. Unless …
I considered Orion’s offer to go to Ellyndor. Slave hunters couldn’t step foot in that place.
I was adamantly opposed to returning to fae lands, but for Selene’s sake, I would. Ellyndor was a lovely place, but it was the last place I’d resided with Sir Edric before he died, and it held sad memories. And although his death was an accident, you never knew with the fae. They were a tricky lot.
Once the sun slowly inched over the horizon, I finally admitted I wouldn’t find rest. Sitting up with a groan, I bathed and got dressed, then carefully wound the cloth around my face and hoped no one would recognize me.
When I went downstairs for breakfast, Orion was waiting for me in the dining room. I almost laughed … Almost. Knowing it was futile to try to slip away before he saw me, I took a seat across from him. “I guess I can’t hide anywhere in Lomewood.”
He smirked. “Good morning to you, too. I told you, Leila, I’ll always find you.”
“Becausethat’snot creepy,” I mumbled. “You’re like, a million years old and—”
“Trust me, Leila,” he cut me off. “I’m not interested in you romantically. Not even a little. Compared to me, you’re a child. Now Selene, on the other hand …” He grinned.
Merfolk lived long lives, similar to the fae. Selene would outlive me by centuries. That was probably why Orion was interested in her. “Don’t even think about it. Selene deserves someone better,” I growled.
Orion snorted. “Like who? Prince Marcellus?” he scoffed. “He’ll make her his what? Fifth wife? You and I both know your brother wouldn’t look at her twice if she weren’t one of the merfolk.”
Marcellus wasn’t married, to my knowledge, but I did remember him saying he would make Selene his second wife. The thought made me furious. “That doesn’t meanyou’reworthy of her!” I snapped.
“Oh?” He raised a brow. “You seem quite protective of the mermaid. You should be careful of showcasing your attachment so openly. Someone might get the idea to use her against you to get what they want.”
I snorted. “They could try it, but they’ll feel my wrath. And I won’t hold back.”
“You would expose your blood magic for her?” he asked quietly.
I nodded. “In a heartbeat.”
“Are you sure you two are just friends?” he asked with a sly smirk.
“What we are is none of your business!” I glared at him. “What do you want, Orion?”
He shrugged. “You already know what I want, but I’m a patient person. I can wait.”
I frowned and considered his offer. “If I follow you to Ellyndor … could I bring Selene with me?”
His brows shot up. “She wants to run away? Wouldn’t that bring you even more difficulties than you have today?”
“Slave hunters can’t cross the borders of Ellyndor,” I replied confidently. “Besides, I can’t leave her behind.”
He nodded. “I could always buy her freedom,” he offered. I was about to interject when he cut me off. “AndI would provide her with her slave release documents immediately. She would be free.”
My eyes widened. “Really?”
