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“Oh my! That is shocking news.”

“You know what this means, my lady?” Victoria was embarrassed for Valerie, since she started fanning her blushing red cheeks. “He will want to spend the night with you in his bed.”

Valerie knew Bradwick had already retired to his apartment.He is expecting me.

Her only other option would have been to sneak to his chambers this night to catch him off-guard.If Geryon caught me doing this, I do not know how things would work out for me.That had been the next plan.

“Then I must freshen up and leave presently.”

Victoria helped wipe her body with a wet cloth and made sure she smelt pleasant. Then, Valerie made the woman leave her chambers and wait in the parlour room so she could collect the items she needed to take with her.I do not know what I will do if I fail.

She clutched the small vial she had in her hand, something she’d been carrying with her amongst Cecily’s chests in a hidden pocket. Valerie had stored various kinds of potions she might need in preparation for coming here.

There is a possibility I will die this night.Valerie narrowed her gaze into one of determination.I will do whatever it takes to save Kaeylyn, even if it costs me my life.

Valerie spoke in hushed whispers to a guard before she and Victoria began to walk together through the palace. They stopped at the second level.

“Before you go, I wish to thank you for everything you have done for me,” Valerie said genuinely. “You have been a guardian angel for me in a place I did not truly understand. I know I will never be able to repay you for your kindness. You are truly a wonderful woman, Victoria.”

With a blush, she flapped her hand dismissively.

“You do not need to thank me. I have been more than happy to assist you. Like I once mentioned, others have not been so kind to me.” Then, she made a shooing motion, as if to usher her away. “Now go, he is waiting. We will speak of such heavy words tomorrow.”

Valerie watched her walk down the hallway on the second level, waiting until she was out of sight before she began to climb the stairs.I feel the same apprehension I felt the first night I arrived.

Valerie swallowed a chunk of fear when the person she was desperate to avoid came around the corner. The stairs at this high of a climb began to turn around to the other side of the palace, compensating in space to fit every step.

With a skill she’d been taught by her mother in the same way she had been taught how to wield a sword, Valerie erased her fear.

With a deep breath, she calmed her suddenly spasming lungs. Within a second, she quietened her stuttering heartbeat to a tranquil calm. Clenching every muscle in her body all at once, the tension that filled them was released as she relaxed.

With her posture calm, her face composed, she met Geryon’s gaze directly.He must have come from visiting Bradwick.She wondered if he knew.

He didn’t seem upset or angry, but he did frown when he saw her.

“Cecily?” Geryon’s eyes fell over her, trailing down her body. He stepped down the stairs while she climbed them. “What are you doing, walking the palace at this hour?”

She walked past him when she spoke. “I have been invited to the king’s bedchamber.”

His feet immediately froze, and he grabbed her wrist gently to stop her from walking. She allowed him to halt her and turned to face him.

“What?” His eyes widened, appalled by the idea.

Now that she knew what he was, she couldn’t believe she hadn’t seen it before.

Those metallic eyes weren’t human, and she’d been too busy being enchanted by them rather than observing them for what they were. His hair was black, but blue haloed it – she knew it must be how his scales appeared when he was in his Dragon form.

Valerie had never met a Dragon before, but she’d read about them, had been taught about them from the moment she was born. Every Witch was told about the origins of where they came from.

They were meant to be beautiful but deadly creatures. As a Witch, to meet one meant death was certain and close.

“Bradwick called you to his bed?” She could hear the frown in his voice, could see it in his face. He climbed a step to be closer when she pulled her arm free from his grasp. “And you are freely going?”

“I have been called by the king, Lord Geryon. No matter the insinuation behind the request, I must go to him.”

She expected anger – that was not what she received. Instead, he looked deeply troubled.

His eyes drifted around them, making sure they were alone before he grabbed a pleat of her dress. He pulled it lightly. “If you take Bradwick, I will no longer seek you, Cecily. You must understand this.”