From Slave To Queen (Athena and Michael) novel Chapter 136

Chapter 136

It’s been three days

ethe attack, and although everything has returned to normal and the castle doesn’t appear to have suffered any damage, there’s a sour feeling in my gut. Ever since I heard Elara’s voice in my head. I knew something had changed. No wonder all my attempts to enter Ciro’s villa have been intercepted time and time again. Every time. I receive the same response

“The lord will extend an invitation when the time comes”

Maybe he expects me to grow tired of walking the road to his villa, but I won’t. I know, deep in my chest, that something has shifted, something isn’t right. Now, sitting behind my desk with my fingers intertwined beneath my chin, I close my eyes and try to extend my power. It’s madness—| could slip ime anyone’s mind–but I recognize the tightly sealed obsidian gates of Elara’s mind. My power brushes the surface, gently, like a lover and taps a few times. No answer.

“Casian“”

Ank’s soft voice pulls me from my attempt to slip into Elara’s mind. I open my eyes and find her sitting atop the candle was resting on my desk. Her eyes look at me with a touch of concern.

Have you seen anything?” I ask

She shakes her head

“Only her, asleep?

She sighs.

“They often snuff the candle. I haven’t been able to see anything else.”

intense our connection is. No matter

matter what he tries, she called to me. I

The idiot Ciro may think he can hide her from me, but he has no idea how intense our know now, more than ever, that it wasn’t my imagination.

“Let me know if anything changes–if you manage to see more, if she opens her eyes and doesn’t seem lost.”

She nods and gives me once again a look that’s halfway between worry and compassion,

Ank lifts her legs and slowly melts into the flame, leaving me once again alone with my thoughts and my efforts to slip into the mind of the linte wildcat. I don’t know how long I persist, only that by the time I give up. I’m exhausted. I haven’t even realized that someone has entered and left a pitcher for me. Reluctantly, I pour myself a glass, bring it to my lips, and drink the contents without even tasting it. It doesn’t matter–it’s not the

Another day passes in which my failed attempts are joined by the search for Ragna. Drystan and I lock ourselves up for hours reviewing maps, both old and current, trying to figure out where they might have fled. The Wastelands aren’t an option—they know it’s the first place we’d check. Unless… there’s more there than we think. That’s why we consuli ancient maps, looking for hidden paths, caves, or anything my men may have missed. I receive reports constantly, extend my gift every day to gather news, and each time the outcome is the same: there’s no trace of the shifters or hagna

A knock on the door makes us both look up from the maps.

“Come in

One of the young guards stationed at the outer gates enters the room holding a wrinkled envelope between his fingers. He lowers his head as he enters and raises his gaze when I gesture for him to speak immediately.

This arrived for you, sir.”

He steps forward and hands me the envelope.

“As per your instructions, I came the moment news from Ciro arrived”

I don’t bother checking the sender’s signature. I tear the envelope open and pull out what at first glance appears to be an invitation. My eyes scan the words, and I feel an undescribable mix of emotions. It’s an invitation to a ball. If I had any remaining doubts before, they are now completely gone. I quickly grab a sheet of paper and a quill to scribble my acceptance.

“Send it unmedutely“.

dat

I pour hot wax and seal it with one of my rings. The young guard vanishes as soon as I hand it to him. The door closes and Drystan looks me directly in the eyes, raising an eyebrow.

“Do you plan to explain what’s going on!”

Chapter 136

I pinch the bridge of my nose

“Cire is hosting a pony at his villa”

pause

before adding:

“Tomorrow night.”

“A bit suckden for him, don’t you think?”

“Without a doubu”

I let our

out a deep breath.

“That only confirms my suspicions. We both know him well, and if my assumptions are right and Elara has awakened, his ego won’t be able to rexist rubbing it in my face. He’ll want to parade her on his arm, provoke my rage”

“That’s exactly why you can’t give him what he wants!”

His face darkens

Still, I don’t want you to get your hopes up yet. It could be any one of his reckless parties. You know full well to go long without indulging his impulsex.”

“I can’t promise anything”

his frivolous nature doesn’t allow him

A low chuckle rumbles from his chest, and shaking his head side to side, he pushes his chair back and stands. He gives me a pat on the shoulder before leaving and letting me be alone. I walk to the window and look outsile, toward the gardens. I almost expect Elara to appear at any moment, her black hair cascading behind her as she walks, I can’t stops ruminating on the same thoughts over and over again.

The mirror returns my perfect appearance, without a single crack or flaw in my mosk. Anyone who sees me would think they’re looking at Cassian Draven–the cold, unreachable vampire with an insatiable thirst. The reality is far more complex, Knuckles on the door let me know the carriage is ready, I don’t take much longer checking my appearance–not when the anticipation of what tonight might bring has ine on edge. If it weren’t for how much my kind values appearances, I’d go on foot, running through the forest–anything to arrive as fast as possible and put an end to this uncertainty.

I walk with my back straight and an impassive expression until I step into the carriage. The journey will take a few hours, and I’m not surprised to and a feeder sitting in the seat across from mine. Before Elara, any trip was a good excuse to feed, knowing that at my destination, men and women would be more than willing to satisfy my other needs. Then that annoying little wildcat crossed my path and tumed every argument with her venomous fonque into something far more fun and interesting to spend my time on. I don’t know when the change happened—maybe if I’d noticed, I would’ve tried to build thicker walls, higher barriers, tik stoji whatever was awakening in me. Now I’m afraid it’s too late. I need that sharp- tongued girl. For what? I don’t know. But I don’t want her anywhere but by my side.

At no point during the journey do I address the feeder, nor do I even glance at her. When the carriage door opens again, music reaches my ears. instantly see that the party isn’t limited to the interior of the mansion–there are half–naked dancers parading throughulse gardens, servants carrying trays overflowing with blood, and some quests already in various states of frenzy in the darkest comers, though not enough to escape our

I show my invitation to the one receiving guests, though upon seeing who I am, lie steps aside and lets me in. I reject the glasses offered to me and head straight toward the group of men who have been a persistent nuisance for weeks.

“Gendemen*:

Acron and the other Council members turn as I joan them.

“Cassian,” several of them say in unison.

head in greeting

“Please, go on.” I say with false courtesy as the silence drags.

I didn’t mean to interrupt

I see in the eyes of some of them all the questions they want to ask–question not so different from the ones I

I’ve dodged from Arion. They want to know the truth behind the deaths of the Diluted I took to the Wastelands. Fortunately, the dead don’t talk, and the ones who returned alive are loyal

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