t, hearing the cell door squeak open. I whip my head toward the door, praying in my heart my mate isn't back to make good on his threat. I exhale when I get a different scent than hi

ire, water, earth, and air. They cast spells

are here. My mate mentioned a woman would make me regret not disclosing where my family might be hiding. Is this water witch

ce. My attention might have been mainly on my mate in the ballroom earlier, but I saw him too, streaked with blood on his body from head to toe and

ne. I raise an eyebrow, skeptical of his sudden care. He didn't

sserts, attempting to reassure me. I meet his gaze, skeptical about his gentle behavio

I question, my tone hol

"I am here to ensure you are

fting my gaze between Eric an

instructs the water witch. She approaches me, but I instinctively

ts. I don't know what's going on, but I don't want any witch aro

to harm you," Eric reassures, closing the distance between

well-being. It seems counterintuitive for those responsi

she comes," Eric states, ment

I demand, my steps

eizing my hand. I tug my hand out of his, attem

eat my wounds out of kindness, and he certainly won't use this approach to get inform

ic," the water witch suggest

e planned. However, my efforts prove futile as he shoves me against the wall, securing me in place. The water witch conjures liquid from

*

n the same cold and dimly lit space. For a second, I wished everything was a very elaborate bad dream that I could finally wake up from. As I gather my bearings

ng to my feet, I regret the decision as my body wobbles, nearly causing me

ver in your system. You shouldn

osing my eyes, I massage my temples to alleviate the pain. The thought crosse

e everything goes well," he apologi

on't work. I will never tell you where my family i

one anything yet," confus

s with him. "Then how do you

ing about?" he asks, chuckl

second. I search the room for the witch who treated me. I need to have a word wit

I d

u d

dache will stop," someone says from outside the cell. A whiff

closer until he's in front of me. I gasp, finding myself face to face with the most exquisite emerald eyes I had ever

th the sexiest thing a man could ever say. I breathe in his scent, and a wave of warmth surges thr

g treated?" I ask, tilting my head b

he replies, moving away from

t dr

f your

lan to do with

plies and walks out, leaving me mo

redhead in her late forties or early fifties with brown eyes steps into the room. She sets her sights on me, and they

color drains from my face as my eyes widen in terror-

hue, stretch into a big grin, revealing pearl-white teeth. Clad in a red pantsuit that matches her lipstick, with black heels addi

ips. Ava places her long, black-painted fingers on

sdainful click of her tongue. "Those are Becky's," she adds, digging her nail into

is no one on Earth that Ava hates more than Becky, my late f

m me, directing he

y before we start?" Ava requests,

h this monstrous witch. Despite my mother resurrecting Ava's mate, Leo, I know Ava still holds

speak to the child and n

ns not to leave the two of y

and gently resting on his shoulder as she locks

as he attempts to maint

p from his shoulder. He turns to leave the cell, but not before steali

way from him and fixing her