Chapter 209
Grannel Serum
Lucien’s POV:
When Arabella sent me a picture of her feet to show me how tired she was, I couldn’t help imagining how much I’d enjoy kissing them. Or better yet, running my tongue over them until she forgot all about her aching feet.
“Careful, sweetheart. Keep teasing me like that, and I might just come over and give you a reason to blush.”
A few seconds later, her reply appeared. A selfie of her sticking her tongue out at me.
I laughed under my breath. Of course she’d do that. Here I was, trying to flirt with her, and she was making faces at me like a little brat.
I looked at the picture again, then gave up pretending I could concentrate on anything else. To hell with texting. I tapped her number and called her which was answered after a few rings. “Your Highness? Missing me already?”
“Terribly,” I admitted, settling back against my pillows. “I have a serious problem, sweetheart.”
“Oh? What happened?” she asked, sounding more amused than concerned.
“I can’t sleep.” I shifted onto my side, looking at the empty space beside me. I so wanted to have her there that the bed felt ridiculously big.
“Then close your eyes, Lucien. That’s usually how it works.”
“Very funny. I’m telling you I can’t sleep alone, and you’re making fun of me.”
“Well, what do you want me to do about it?” she asked, laughing. “Should I call the palace and have them replace your bed with a smaller one?”
I chuckled and pulled the pillow closer. “You have absolutely no sympathy for your King, do you?”
“Of course I do! In fact, I have a wonderful idea. Why don’t I send you a teddy bear? You can cuddle it all night and pretend it’s me.”
“Tempting offer,” I said and settled back against the headboard with a sigh. “But no thanks. I’d rather have the real thing.”
“Well, unfortunately, the real thing is busy. Good night, Your Highness. I’ve got a long day ahead of me tomorrow.” She yawned halfway through the sentence, making her last few words come out muffled.
“Arabella, don’t you dare—” She hung up. I stared at my phone for a moment before letting out a chuckle. The woman was going to drive me crazy.
I was still smiling when I dialed Lilith’s number. She picked up on the fourth ring, and before I could even say hello, she started talking.
“Yes, Lucien, I know why you’re calling. I’m keeping an eye on Arabella, and I’ll make sure she’s safe. You don’t have to remind me every few hours.”
I grinned at her irritated tone. “Good evening to you too, Aunt Lilith. How lovely to hear your voice.”
“Don’t start with me, young man.”
I laughed and ran a hand through my hair. “So, are you still angry with her?”
“Who said I was angry?”
“Come on, Lil. You were furious when you found out she’d poisoned me. You wanted to kill her.”
“What did you expect?” Lilith huffed, but her voice softened a little. “Anyway, we talked today, and I think I understand her better now.”
I sat up slightly. “You did? What did she say?”
“Do you know what that girl told me, Lucien? She said she never really had a mother to guide her. No one to teach her right from wrong or tell her when she was making a terrible mistake.” Lilith paused. “And I couldn’t help thinking about you.”
“Me?”
“Yes, you. Both of you lost your beasts because of other people’s cruelty. You know what it’s like to have something so important taken away from you.”
I didn’t interrupt. Lilith rarely spoke about what had happened to me, and I knew she hadn’t forgotten any of it.
“But there’s something different about Arabella now,” she continued. “That girl isn’t interested in forgiving anyone anymore. And frankly, I’m beginning to worry about how far she’s willing to go.”
“What happened?”
“Do you have any idea what she asked me to get for her?”
I frowned. “No. What?”
“Wolfsbane. And that’s not even the worst part.” She lowered her voice. “She also wants Grannel serum.”
I straightened immediately. “What? She wants Grannel? Is she crazy?”
“Yeah. That’s what I thought.”
“Lil, possessing Grannel is a crime. Almost a sin, and you know that!”
“Of course I know!” she snapped. “I’ve been a witch longer than you’ve been alive, Lucien. You don’t need to explain the law to me.”
“Then why would she ask you for something like that?”
“Because she’s determined to get her hands on it, apparently. I told her how dangerous it was, but she wouldn’t listen. She kept insisting there had to be a way.”
I got out of bed, pressing the phone harder against my ear. “Did she tell you what she intends to do with it?”
“No. And when I asked, she avoided giving me a straight answer.” Lilith sounded genuinely troubled now. “Lucien, I don’t think that girl is telling either of us everything.”
I walked toward the window, trying to make sense of what I’d just heard. Wolfsbane was bad enough. But Grannel? What the hell was Arabella planning?
***
I stayed by the window for a while, still thinking about what Lilith had told me, when a burst of cheering from the courtyard caught my attention.
I glanced down and spotted Mother and Aliya standing with Jasmine. Both of them were hugging her as though she’d just returned after winning a war rather than having spent a few days behind bars.
I pulled out my phone and texted Bradley.
“What’s all the commotion in the courtyard, Bradley?” His reply arrived a moment later.
“She’s been released now, and the Queen is welcoming her back.”
I watched as Mother fussed over Jasmine, holding her hands while Aliya stood beside them, smiling.
“I see”, I typed back. “Well, I suppose it’s time someone reminded them this isn’t a victory celebration.”
I slipped my phone into my pocket and headed for the door, but just as I reached for the handle, I stopped.
Something stirred inside my head. A strange, restless movement, almost as though someone was trying to hold me back.
I froze, as my hand stayed on the doorknob.
Zorro?