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Ashburn looked both frustrated and amazed. “You created static amid the void?”

“You got lucky.” Lucienne’s smile turned cold. “It’d be lightning bolts if you had stuck around.”

“I guess I was wise, then, to leave while you were still merciful.”

“Don’t you feel ashamed prying into other people’s heads?” Lucienne wasn’t amused. “What kind of person are you?”

“The same kind as you,” he said. “You read a piece of my mind when we first met, but you didn’t like what you saw either.”

Lucienne thinned her lips.

“If it’s any comfort, I’ll admit that your mind is the only one I can’t access, and you’re the most close-lipped girl,” Ashburn said, studying her bitter complexion. “I’ve outstayed my welcome, haven’t I?”

As Ashburn pulled away from the gate—from her—a sudden sense of loss overcame Lucienne, and she didn’t want him to leave. “If you haven’t had breakfast,” she offered, “you’re welcome to join me.”

“I haven’t, and I’d love to,” Ashburn said. “But the sun will be up soon, and the neighbors, too.” He strolled away, and then looked at her over his shoulder with a smile. “See you around.”

That dazzling smile sent a twirling of rose petals in Lucienne’s stomach.

As he merged into the shadows, a wave of sadness and incompleteness blanketed Lucienne, but she had no time to dwell on her feelings. The Eidolon hooked onto her belt was vibrating. She waited until the fourth ring and connected it.

“Ashburn blocked Dragonfly the moment you joined him,” Ziyi reported in a curious tone. “We didn’t get anything.”

Lucienne knew Vladimir was beside Ziyi, and he must be dying to know about her private conversation with Ashburn. He’d bring it up casually when they were alone. The prince never liked her keeping secrets from him.

“In the future, don’t waste Dragonfly on him, unless I say so,” Lucienne said, then added, “Only turn the lens on him when the auto-light in Nirvana goes out. I want to see if he actually sleeps or he goes somewhere else.”

“Yes, Lucia.” Ziyi giggled. “Blazek says ‘hi.’”

“Well, hello back,” Lucienne said in a hurry, not ready to interact with Vladimir right now. “I’m going to have breakfast with Kian. That damn Ashburn woke me up before dawn.” She hung up and went to look for Kian.

CHAPTERSIXTEEN

Lucienne started visiting the Fury house regularly, and each time she brought gifts. Clement and Peder particularly enjoyed California wines. They were amiable, but Lucienne hadn’t been able to find time alone with Ashburn. Violet was always present, like Ashburn’s lapdog, fighting tirelessly for his attention. Worse yet, whenever Lucienne sat down at the table, Prince Felix would show up at the door, smirking.

The natives were spying on her for their prince and informed him whenever she arrived in town. The blond boy made passes at Lucienne all the time, like a dog that wouldn’t give up on a bone. Each time the prince flirted with her, anger flared in Ashburn’s eyes, but she knew Ashburn would contain it, as he’d done all these years for his parents’ sake. Violet, on the other hand, was eager to fix Lucienne up with her half-brother. And perhaps for the first time, the redhead was even agreeing with the prince.

One day after an early dinner, Ashburn offered to help his mother prepare sweet peanut soup for the visitors. When Ashburn headed for the kitchen, Lucienne excused herself from the table, saying she’d like to freshen up.

Ashburn stood before the stove, his back stiffening as she advanced. He could sense her presence, as she could sense his whenever they occupied space within each other’s energy field.

“Hey,” Lucienne said.

“Hi,” he greeted back but didn’t look at her.

“It’s always crowded out there.”

“They follow you around.”

“They can’t stand us being alone,” Lucienne said. She could have just found an excuse to have Ashburn brought to her tent for questions, but she chose to approach him in a normal, friendly environment. It seemed her tactic hadn’t proved effective. “Why did you refuse a phone from me?” she asked.

“I don’t need it.”

“Why not take it as an emergency measure? If anything happens, my soldiers can get here quickly.”

“I can protect my family.”

“I know you can,” Lucienne said, moving nearer to Ashburn. “I want to invite you to Sphinxes. I heard you’ve been looking for the path to the outside world.”