Chapter 124

[ 1,061 words ]

Arabella Toussaint:

For a few seconds, I couldn’t move. His words kept playing in my head.

She comes into my dreams every night.

I slowly lowered myself into the chair he had almost knocked over. Victor was terrified just like me when Theodora tried to attack me in my dreams.

Why was she doing this? And more importantly, what did Victor know that was worth frightening him into silence?

Footsteps approached outside, and a moment later Bradley appeared at the entrance. “Are you alright? What happened?” He looked over his shoulder. “Victor just ran past me.”

“I don’t know.” I rubbed my forehead, still trying to process everything. “He was fine until I asked him what happened the night Anika died.”

Bradley’s expression changed, and for once, he had nothing to say. “He knows something, Bradley,” I whispered.

I didn’t want to tell him about Victor’s dreams. And who would believe me that the queen was scaring a grown-up man, the beta of Blackthorn pack, in his dreams.

If she was trying to make him quiet all these years, then clearly she didn’t want any of us finding out what it was.

***

Bradley and I were walking through the palace grounds when I spotted Jasmine jogging across the training field.

Her hair was pulled into a high ponytail, and sweat glistened along her forehead and the exposed skin of her arms. She slowed down when she noticed us approaching.

“Jasmine!” Bradley waved at her. She looked at him, but instead of returning his smile, her eyes shifted to me. The moment they did, her face went blank.

She gave Bradley a stiff nod and jogged past us without saying a word. Bradley turned his head, watching her go. “What happened to her?”

“She’s pissed at me.” I kept my eyes ahead.

“Pissed at you? Why?”

I didn’t answer and continued walking. Thankfully, he didn’t push. But I still wanted to be honest, so I let out a sigh. “She caught us kissing in the kitchen.” Bradley’s brows shot up as I glanced at him.

“Us?” he repeated, although the look on his face told me he already knew exactly who I meant.

“Yes.” I nodded. “Last night. King Lucien wanted some warm water, so I went to the kitchen to…”

“He needed what? And he asked you to get it?”

“No. There was no omega around, and it was late. They were all sleeping.”

Bradley stopped walking. I took another step before realizing he was no longer beside me and turned around.

“All the omegas were sleeping?” he murmured, looking thoroughly confused now.

“I guess.” I frowned. “The kitchen was empty.” Bradley stared at me for a second before rubbing a hand over his jaw.

“Lucien is… fucking stupid,” he muttered, more to himself than to me, and then started walking again.

I hurried after him. “Bradley?” He shook his head, but I caught the smile he was trying to hide.

“What?” I demanded again, but he shook his head.

“It’s nothing. Don’t forget to submit your report to him.” I was about to walk away when Bradley called my name.

“Arabella.” I stopped and looked back at him questioningly.

He hesitated for a moment, as if debating whether he should say what was on his mind. “Better not get involved with him if you want a simple life and a clean conscience.”

What did he mean by that?

Before I could say something, he shrugged. “Palace women… they’re a curse. Finish this investigation and get out of here while you still can.” With that, he walked away, leaving me staring after him.

And here I was thinking Bradley was painfully loyal to the royal family. Apparently, I had misjudged him.

***

By the time I got into bed, Victor was still on my mind.

I checked my phone to see if Maya had messaged me, but there was nothing. I thought about texting her first, then changed my mind. After switching off my phone, I tossed it aside. I needed to sleep.

After pulling the covers over myself, I was about to reach for the bedside lamp when a weird thought hit me.

What if Queen Theodora hadn’t come into my dreams last night because she had been too busy messing with Victor’s mind? I almost laughed at my own theory.

That sounded ridiculous.

But then again, after everything that had happened lately, nothing counted as ridiculous anymore.

But what if I was right? Well, there was one way to find out. Tonight.

Settling into the bed, I switched off the bedside lamp and closed my eyes.

***

Thankfully, this time I found myself right outside my own door. I laughed and looked around the deserted corridor. “What am I doing here?” I said aloud, turning in a slow circle.

It felt good knowing no one could see me. Nor could anyone hear me. For once, I could wander around this palace without worrying about being watched or judged.

“How am I supposed to get to the queen’s quarters? Walk?” The moment the words left my mouth, my feet lifted off the floor.

“Whoa!” I giggled, looking down as my legs dangled beneath me. “What is going on?” My body slowly began floating down the corridor.

An omega appeared ahead, carrying a basket of folded clothes. I floated right past her and waved excitedly. “Hey. Tonight, don’t forget Lucien’s warm water, love.” Of course, she couldn’t hear me. I rolled my eyes and looked toward the long stretch of hallway ahead.

“Seriously? This is going to take forever at this speed.” The moment I finished the sentence, something shifted, making me blink. And suddenly, I was standing outside Queen Theodora’s room.

I stared at the door in shock. “What just happened?” Had I just teleported?

Wow!

I cautiously poked my head through the door first. Queen Theodora was sitting on the floor with her eyes closed. Her hands were resting loosely on her knees as if she were meditating.

I stepped through the door and wandered around her room for a moment before making myself comfortable on the edge of her bed. A few seconds passed before Theodora chanted. “Take me to him. This is an order!”

Shit. Who is she talking to?

My eyes snapped to her face. Her eyes were still closed. “Take me to Victor Toussaint. Now!”

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