Queen of the Underworld | Book 3

• twenty-five •

Chapter dedicated to the fanfiction contest winner Pandiabit!!

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"I'm going to find some old contacts," Julian announced when he and Damien came back in the house. "It's been long enough. The guards won't be on high alert anymore, it should be safe to go."

I looked at Julian from my place on the couch where Leah moved me to. She placed a warm blanket on my shoulders when my skin remained as cold as ice. The mark on my chest, however, was still too hot. "Safe?" I asked, perplexed. "Actually safe?"

His lip quipped as he looked away. His flirty attitude was back despite his anger earlier. It made my heart flutter. I missed it. "Well, safer."

His answer made my skin crawl. I swallowed. "Is that a good idea?"

Damien crossed his arms as he stood next to him, emerging from the backyard. "Despite it being the Neither-Circles, it's people he trusts."

Julian chuckled deeply. "As long as they are paid, yes."

Leah looked up from her phone, her eyes bathed in the blue light of the screen. "I have some money I can give you. How much do you need?"

Julian shook his head. "It's not monetary. Bargains are made instead."

My heart jumped into my throat. "No, you can't."

Julian shrugged on a jacket he spectered to his hand. "I'll be careful. It's not my first time dealing with them."

My stomach turned. I knew Julian knew what he was doing. He had probably made bargains long before even my human parents were even born. He knew enough not to make the mistake I made.

He turned to leave through the back doors once he finished with his jacket.

I moved to stand, but hissed in pain when the dizziness began to take over.

Leah began to move but stopped when Julian beat her to me.

He placed a comforting hand on my shoulder as I settled back in my seat. "Sit still, Light Fae, you'll hurt yourself."

I grabbed his hand. "Don't go. Stay."

He chuckled. "Is that a command from my queen?"

I scoffed, looking away. "Gods, Julian. That is not funny—"

I heard him laugh again and his fingers tightened on mine. I looked at his hands just as he did. Realizing what he was doing, he took them back.

There were so many unspoken words between us since Elysium. I didn't want to stop the momentum. I didn't want to stop whatever there was between us.

I wouldn't lose him again.

And I was already ruining it.

"Let me go with you," I whispered. "I want to help."

I saw a ghost of a smile on his handsome lips. He kneeled in front of me. "I know. But not this time. You need to heal first and gather your strength."

"Julian-"

"Emylin." He said my name in warning. "No. Absolutely not."

He must have seen the defeat in my eyes. Or maybe the sheer exhaustion. He smiled. "Stay here." His lip tugged in a small smile. "You do know what stay means, don't you?"

The same words he had used back in Skryen once. I'd stuck my tongue out at him, I had teased him back but now...I didn't even have the energy.

He shook his head as he stood. He turned to the doors again.