Juno’s POV
“You three are ruthless,” he said when I finished. “I never would have thought to use silver powder as a torture method. It causes permanent damage to our kind.”
“Would you have preferred we used the snake grass extract again?” I asked, raising an eyebrow.
“No, no.” He shook his head, a smile on his lips. “I should start calling you and your friends the ‘dark Lunas.
I shrugged, unconcerned. “Treason deserves severe punishment. They should be grateful they’re still alive.”
Augustin’s smile faded, his expression turning somber. “I just can’t believe Eliza betrayed us like that. I thought of her as a sister. I gave her so much freedom, so many opportunities…My kindness got thrown back in my face. It breaks my heart.”
I moved to him immediately, standing between his legs and pulling his head against my stomach. My fingers combed through his hair soothingly. “I know, dear,” I murmured. “But it’s going to be okay. We’re on the right track now.”
He wrapped his arms around my waist, holding me tight as he pressed a kiss to my abdomen. “I know. It’s just hard to
accept.”
“Once we arrest them, you’ll have all the power,” I reminded him softly. “We can have our wedding, and no one will be able to oppose us anymore.”
He squeezed me tighter, and I could feel his anxiety and fear through our bond. The stress relief our passionate encounter had provided was already being eclipsed by the weight of our responsibilities.
“I was thinking,” I said, pulling back slightly to look into his eyes, “what if I came with you to meet Chris? I understand you’re nervous about meeting him, and I’m sure he feels the same way. Having both of us greet him might make him feel more welcome.”
Augustin hesitated, then nodded reluctantly. “That might be best.”
I understood his hesitation. Meeting Chris made everything real. He had to face it now. This was his brother, a brother he never knew existed until recently. I sat down next to him on the sofa, resting my head on his shoulder.
“It’s going to be fine, dear,” I assured him again. “I’m certain of it. You don’t need to worry.”
He put his arm around me, drawing me closer. “I hope you’re right.”
Scarlett, Freya, I called through our link. I’m with Augustin in his office. We’ve decided to wait for Chris Sinclair to arrive together.
Oh really? Scarlett’s voice was knowing, almost teasing. And what have you two been doing all this time?
I ignored her question. What are you two up to?
We’re going back to my room, Freya replied. We’ll probably invite Ruby to join us so she doesn’t feel lonely.
Sounds good, I agreed. I’ll see you later. I closed the link, focusing back on Augustin.
מ1
Chapter 272
“We should probably get ready, I suggested. “Take a shower before they arrive.”
He nodded, and we made our way back to our bedroom. We showered together, letting the warm water wash away the evidence of our passionate encounter. Afterward, we lay naked on the bed, simply holding each other.
Our clothes were laid out ready for us to put on, but neither of us moved to dress yet. We just wanted a few moments of peace, skin against skin, before facing the next challenge.
I must have dozed off, because the next thing I knew, Augustin was gently shaking me awake.
“Berry,” he said softly. “They’re here.”
I blinked, disoriented. “What time is it?”
“You’ve been asleep for about two hours,” he told me, already buttoning up a fresh shirt. Chris and his family are in my sitting room.”
“Oh!” I sat up quickly. “I should get dressed.”
“Evanth will be joining us as well,” Augustin added, adjusting his cuffs.
I considered this as I pulled on my underwear. “Maybe I shouldn’t come after all? The three of you should get to know
each other first. Man to man.”
Augustin shook his head firmly. “No, I need you there. His wife and children will need someone to look after them while
we talk.”
“Children?” I repeated, surprised.
“Two of them, according to Stefan. A girl and a boy. Twins, it seems.”
“Twins?” My eyebrows shot up.
“I believe so, yes.”
I shook my head, amazed. “Wow. That’s… that’s awesome.” I stood up, energized despite my recent nap. “Let me get
dressed.”
As I pulled on my clothes, a practical thought occurred to me. “Which wing are we putting them in?”
Augustin shrugged. “I haven’t thought about it. I suppose they could stay in our wing? One room for the twins, one for the couple?”
I shook my head. “No, they’ll need two rooms. The boy will need his own room, separate from the girls.”
Augustin looked at me questioningly.
“Trust me,” I insisted. “Boys and girls need separate spaces, especially as they get older. We can give them my old roon. and the two smaller rooms nearby før the children.”
Augustin smiled at me, “Your old room…”
2/3
Chapter 272
Our eyes met, sharing memories of that room, our awkward early encounters, Seraphine’s tantrums, the night I’d gotten drunk and fallen asleep in his bed. All those moments that had led us here, to this place where we stood together as i partners facing whatever came our way.
having Chris’s support was a good thing
I finished dressing, and we headed out together. I had no idea what to expect from this meeting, but I was certain that
One less person we needed to worry about. The fact that he’d come to Clifflands without any pressure meant we had nothing to worry about.
Stiil, I couldn’t help wondering how Chris knew Helena, and why she’d given him money. There was a story there that f was eager to hear.
As we walked toward Augustin’s sitting room, I felt
a
flutter of excitement.
Chapter Comments
