Page 4 of Lost Heir
I scoffed and rolled my eyes. “You claim you wouldn’t hurt her, but what do you think you’re doing by bringing her to Valoria? You’re bringing her to a den of vipers!” I nudged Selene behind me protectively.
“I’ve already sent word home,” my brother sniffed. “She’ll be my concubine—”
“The hell she will!” I shouted and charged toward him, but Caelan and Selene caught me before I could throw the first punch. “How can you be so damn selfish, Marcellus? She had a hard life at the pleasure house, and now you want to make her not your wife, but a concubine? You’re so egotistical!” My voice trembled toward the end, and I felt as if I was at the brink of tears. “Did you ever ask her whatshewants?”
Marcellus’s face hardened at the accusation and his eyes flicked to Selene where she stood quietly behind me. He pondered my question for a few moments and then cleared his throat. “What do you want, Selene?”
I peered over my shoulder at her and nodded. “Speak freely, Selene. Don’t be afraid. Tell us whatyouwant, not what others want for you.”
She bit her lip before speaking. “I—I want to be free, Your Highness.”
I sagged in relief and turned my attention back to my brother. “You heard her. Now tell me, Marcel, what are you going to do?”
His brows furrowed as he stared intently at Selene. “I’ll give you your freedom … as long as you return to Valoria with me.”
“You can’t—” I attempted to argue, but Selene clutched my wrist, stopping me.
“I agree,” she said quickly. “Wherever Leila goes, I’ll go.”
I whirled around to face her. “Selene, this is your chance at freedom. Return to the Luminar Sea and be reunited with your people, with your home—”
“Youaremy home, Leila. Please. Let me stay by your side.” Her green eyes pleaded with me as she reached for my hands and squeezed. “Please,” she repeated.
“We can keep her safe, Lyanna,” Caelan interrupted. “I’ll see to it.”
My gaze locked on Selene’s. I wanted her to change her mind, but then I remembered I’d just told her to decide her path based on no one’s choice but her own.
“Fine. But you can forget about making her your concubine,” I said to Marcel.
He kept quiet, though he sent me a nasty glare.
“Come on, Selene, you can ride with me—”
“Can I talk to the prince for a moment … alone?” Selene asked, looking at me intently. “I won’t be long.”
I was hesitant to leave her, but she was her own person and she deserved to make her own decisions. I couldn’t control her, no matter how badly I wanted to keep her safe. “Fine. Just … be careful,” I warned, giving her one last embrace before exiting the tent with Caelan following closely behind.
We crossed the vast camp and headed back toward my tent, the sun beaming down on us with buttery rays that attempted to chase away the early morning chill. Along the way, Caelan stopped me by gently touching my elbow. “Are you okay?”
I ran a hand through my hair. “I guess,” I muttered. “Selene is her own person. She’s been controlled by Madam Rose for so long, I couldn’t bear it if she was turned over to yet another master. She deserves her freedom.”
He nodded. “I’ll prepare a carriage for you both. And I promise, Lyanna, I’ll make sure nothing happens to her. You have my word.”
I gave him a tight smile. “Thank you, Caelan.”
He smiled down at me, his hazel eyes drifting to the crescent moon birthmark on my forehead. After releasing the magic that kept it hidden last night, I noticed he couldn’t stop staring at it.
I self-consciously touched my forehead. “Does it look funny?”
He chuckled. “No. Not at all. It looks beautiful, Lyanna.Youare beautiful.”
I didn’t know what to say so I kept quiet. I knew how he felt about me. He’d admitted as much when he knew me as Leila. But I couldn’t string him along. Eventually, I would have to tell him how I felt. Eventually.
Just not right now.
2
The camp buzzed with the muted chaos of departure; the air filled with the anticipation of our journey back to Valoria. I gingerly navigated the maze of tents and supplies that were being packed and loaded, my heart a tumult of unspoken goodbyes and unresolved threads. I made my way toward the carriage where I would ride with Selene. I felt odd leaving without notifying anyone from my former life as Leila, the healer. The few friends I had would have no idea what happened to me. I did manage to send a messenger to find Henry and tell him he could stay in my clinic indefinitely. I didn’t know if he’d remained with the Crimson Clan or not, now that Ronan was our hostage. But just in case he was staying behind, I didn’t want to leave without saying goodbye.
