I smiled as I stared into his face, my fingers lightly stroking his hair.
He was so handsome when he looked this peaceful. My heart hurt for him. Jaris had mentioned him going through this since he was two. So, he had been suffering from this for three years. It was a horrible thing a child as cute and innocent as he had to endure.
I carefully rested his head on a pillow and followed Jaris out of the room.
“Thank you,” he said with a slight furrow in his brow as we stood in the passage. His eyes were lowered to the floor as though he was contemplating something. “I didn’t entirely believe it when Xyla told me how quickly you had treated her brother the other day. It almost doesn’t seem real.” He met my gaze. “How do you do it?”
I shrugged and sighed. “Honestly, I don’t even know how I do it. I’m just glad I’m able to save people when I need it to.”
Jaris nodded. “It’s a blessing, then.”
Oh, trust me; it’s also a curse. They didn’t know it, but this had gotten me into a lot of trouble.
“The date for the coronation ceremony had been fixed. It’s happening in seven days,” he said, distracting me a little.
“Oh, okay.” I guess nothing would be getting in the way again.
“But what do you say about moving in before then? You’re quite helpful being around Xylon.”
I glanced at the door before nodding. I honestly didn’t have an issue with it. If I could help the little boy in any way, I wouldn’ t hesitate to jump at the offer.
“I’ll do it. I think it’d be better if I move in today so I can commence full treatment on him tomorrow.”
His eyes softened. Wow. Jaris Dreadmoor looked at me tenderly.
In that fleeting moment, I caught a glimpse of the man I’d spent the night with five years ago. The man who had called me’ Princess’ when everyone else called me ugly.
“I appreciate that you’re doing this for him. It doesn’t go unnoticed.” He said.
Hm. Who would’ve thought that Jaris could actually be polite?
I dipped my head and turned toward the door.
“Lyric?” He called, bringing me around to look at him. “Could you be extra careful this week? You know, the coronation is just around the corner. I wouldn’t want anything ruining it.”
“And… by being careful, you mean-don’t go clubbing? Don’t hang out with my male friend…” I suppressed the urge to roll my eyes. “Those are really not the problem, Alpha Jaris.”
“Just do as I say and stop arguing.” There was slight irritation in his voice.
Woah. The old Jaris slipping through the cracks.
“I heard you.” As I turned to open the door, I rolled my eyes since he couldn’t see me.
JARIS
I’d never seen anyone with her kind of healing skills.
I’ve watched Marta struggle to stop Xylon’s epistles within hours. But right in front of me, Lyric used minutes.
But it also meant good news for Xylon. Hopefully, she’d be able to treat him before the end of our year contract. Now…I actually hope she’ll still be alive by then. She deserved to.
Nerion was waiting in my study room when I entered. He was leaning against my table, reading a newspaper. “Welcome back, Boss. I trust Xylon is much better?” He lowered the paper from his face.
“He is. How is Kael and the task I assigned to him?”
“He’s doing great. Will be back any moment.”
I nodded and took my seat, taking out some documents.
“I actually have information on the task you assigned.”
I dropped the documents and focused on him. I was more interested in Lyric Harper.
“And… I don’t think you’re going to like what I found.”
JARIS
I didn’t like the sound of that.
“I don’t need to beg you for information, Nerion. What did you find?” There was slight irritation in my voice.
“Actually” he took the seat across from me. “she has previously been mated to Alpha Roderick.”
What?
“They got mated when she was eighteen, but as soon as Roderick got what he wanted-which was going up the ranks-he dumped her
Woah. That didn’t sound good. I bet Mother mustn’t have been aware of this. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have been so quick to push her to me.
But if things were over between them, why was Roderick all over her at the party?
“When did they break up?” I asked.
“Five years ago.”
I shot a surprised stare at Nerion. That long? Goes a long way to explain why the news wasn’t common.
“Are there any photos from when she and Roderick were together?”
“Sadly, no. It was quite surprising when I couldn’t even find any old pictures of her. Turned out Lyric wasn’t fully involved with her family before now. I don’t know why, but she didn’t take pictures of herself.”
Well, that’s strange. Who wouldn’t have pictures of themselves?
“And what about the death of a loved one?” I asked.
Nerion shook her head. “The last time she lost someone important was when she was six years old when her mother died. And I confirmed that the woman was buried and never incinerated. Since then, she hasn’t lost anyone important to her.”
Not what I’d been expecting. That locket contained the ashes of a loved one. If she hadn’t lost anyone from her family, whose ashes were she wearing around, then?
“After she broke up with Roderick, what has she been doing?” I asked a moment later.
“Nobody knows. They say she had suddenly vanished for five years and just returned not long ago.”
Suddenly vanished? That didn’t make any sense.
“I need to know where she’s been, Nerion. Find out everything you can on her from the last five years.”
I didn’t know why, but I couldn’t help but feel that something was missing from her.
LYRIC
I kept Xyla company until her brother came awake. I’d also intentionally stayed behind because I wanted to make sure the boy was fine enough for me to leave.
“How’re you feeling, Xylon?” Xyla asked, holding his hand.
His eyes went round until they fell on me. He looked weak, but I caught a glimpse of happiness in them.
“You… saved me. A…Again.” the words were muttered.
He didn’t strike me like someone that stammered. I think he was just scared of speaking. Why was he so scared?
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.