Page 8 of Queen of the Crimson Throne (Queen of Blood and Stardust #2)

8

LUKA

“Come in,” I called out, not bothering to look up from the book I was reading at the sound of the knock on the door.

“Do you ever sleep?” Nico chidded.

“You’re the one showing up at my room late at night.” The smell of lilac and citrus invaded my senses as Nico sat at the chair next to my desk.

I looked up from my book to study him, a burning sensation forming in my chest.

“Were you with Lennox?”

“I was.” His lips curved into a smirk. “Jealous?” There was a playful lilt to his tone that made the burning sensation intensify.

I took in his disheveled appearance, his wrinkled clothes, and the smell of alcohol on his breath. Even his silver hair was rumpled. My veins heated.

Nico’s expression changed quickly, his eyes going wide and he held up his hands, “It’s not what you think, Luka. We were hanging out. As friends.” I wanted to believe him?—

“Do you think that low of me, Luka? You think I would go after her knowing not only you’re engaged, but how you feel about her?”

I scrubbed my hand over my face. “You’re right, fuck.” I took a deep breath. “I’m sorry. I know you would never do anything like that.” Astria’s tits, when it came to Lennox I lost all sense of rational thought.

“You were hanging out as friends?” I pressed.

“Yes, as friends.” He sat back in the chair. “Although it took a lot of convincing on my part. You did a number on her, brother.”

“What do you mean?”

“She was convinced Declan and I wouldn’t want to be friends with her anymore because we would have taken your side.”

I knew Delcan and Nico would never abandon her for what happened between us, but she didn’t. I’d have to make sure to let Declan know he should try to talk to her too.

“What else did you two do?” Anything, I’d take any scrap of information on her.

“We talked, and drank a lot.”

“What did you talk about?”

“My lips are sealed.” He pretended to seal his lips and lock them before throwing away the key.

“But she talked to you? Actually talked? Did she seem like she was enjoying herself?” I knew how much I had hurt her. I had hoped she had been able to move on these past weeks, but not knowing if she had, haunted me. I wanted her to be happy.

“She was. We had a fun night. I wouldn’t say she’s fine, but she’s still Lennox. She’s still there.” I felt like a small weight had been lifted off my shoulders. “It only took some convincing to get her to come out,” he added.

“I’m glad she let you in. I couldn’t even get her to open the door for me.” I pinched the bridge of my nose before resting my elbows on the desk. “When she saw me she slammed the door in my face and refused to talk to me, so like a fucking idiot, I talked to her through the door.”

“She said she needs time.” He placed a hand on my shoulder. “She told me to tell you that she needs time. ”

“Time,” I murmured. She needs time. Wasn’t six weeks enough time? No, she could take all the time she needed. And I would continue to give her space and time if that’s what she wanted.

“Will you promise me something?” I asked.

“Anything, what do you need?”

“Promise me you’ll keep an eye on her. That you’ll be there for her since I can’t.”

“Luka, you can be there?—”

“No.” I cut him off. “I can’t be there for her.” No matter how badly I wanted to, I couldn’t. “I hurt her more by being there. But she needs someone. She needs you. Please, Nico.”

Before today, I had hoped I’d be able to be there for her, but after her reaction to seeing me?—

“Of course. I’ve got her.”

“Thanks.” The word came out strained.

“I’ve got you too, Luka.” He patted a hand on my back. “Dec and I both, we’ve got you too. Don’t forget that.”

I stared at my palms as Nico stood. “You should get some sleep.” He made his way toward the door.

There wasn’t time for sleep. Not when I had a time limit as to when I needed to find Astria’s spellbook. Soon my grandfather would set a wedding date. Any day now there would be a permanent time constraint on what I needed to accomplish. Sleep would come later.

After I found Lennox a way out of our marriage.

“I’m leaving for Maderia in the morning,” I called out to Nico. I’ll be gone a couple weeks. I need you to continue to check the market while I’m gone, in case the Scribe comes while I’m away.”

The muscles in Nico’s back tensed as he stood in front of the door. He didn’t turn as he spoke. “When are you going to stop punishing yourself?”

I shook my head. “What do you mean? ”

“You’ve been waiting weeks for her to arrive and the day after she does you’re going to take off?”

“She doesn’t want to see me. What do you expect me to do? Sit here and mope around like a lost animal until she’s ready to talk to me? Because I won’t. She said she needs time, so I’ll give her time.”

Nico was quiet, I knew he was holding back what he wanted to say.

Finally, he spoke, “I’ll look after her. Safe travels.”

“Thank you.”

Maybe I was punishing myself by leaving so soon after her arrival. I wanted to be here with her. I wanted to be the one looking out for her. But I know she doesn’t want me here. If anything, staying here would be a worse punishment. Being here and seeing her and not being able to have her: that might be the worst punishment of all.