Chapter 136

Theodore’s POV

I opened the door to none other than the High Priestess. My reaction shifted quickly from surprise to confusion to hope combined with concern as I remembered two very important details.

First, that Violet had shared back in Owen’s palace that the High Priestess agreed Eva was a fake mate and that Owen was likely behind the scheme. If there was news about how our plan was proceeding, the High Priestess would likely know.

Second, that Violet and the High Priestess were related. Plus, the High Priestess was a healer and considered a neutral party in all territories. If something was wrong with Violet, if she were hurt or fatally ill, the High Priestess would be the most logical one to send to deliver the news.

I braced myself as I spoke the most inane words possible. “Your Holiness, I’m surprised to receive you so early.” In my defense, the sun was just now rising.

Her stillness was awe-inspiring as she responded. “That’s one perspective. From another point of view, this visit is late and overdue.”

I cocked my head, not following, so she explained. “You collapsed in my presence and were hospitalized due to a highly unusual mate bond complication. It’s only fitting that I come as the temple’s healer for a follow-up examination.”

That sounded like… bullshit. Which seemed strange when there was no one else around us to protect the truth from.

“Dearest?” I turned at the sight of Eva coming down the stairs in a scandalous nightgown, having clearly just woken up. “Is someone here?”

Apparently there was someone in hearing range. I glanced at the High Priestess, but she only gave me a small smile.

“It’s the High Priestess,” I responded, trying not to stiffen as Eva approached and wrapped her arms around me, leaning into my side. “She’s here for a follow-up exam after my incident at the temple a couple weeks ago.”

The High Priestess kept her stillness other than a slight nod of acknowledgment toward Eva. “I apologize for not being able to make it sooner.”

“No apology necessary,” I assured, pulling Eva with me as I stepped aside to let the High Priestess in. I was highly embarrassed that Eva wore something so revealing in front of the High Priestess and that she wasn’t running upstairs to change into something more appropriate.

I was also embarrassed to be seeing so much of a woman who wasn’t Violet and that the woman currently clinging to me was Eva instead of my wife, but those were different matters altogether.

“A private room with somewhere for you to sit will be sufficient for the examination,” the High Priestess offered, and I led her up to my study. Thankfully, Eva finally let go of me as we made our way up the stairs.

The three of us filed into the study, and I was disappointed that Eva followed us in. I wanted a private moment with the High Priestess, though even then I couldn’t be sure of who would be listening through the walls.

“Luna of Midnight.” The High Priestess addressed Eva whose eyes gleamed at the title. “I require privacy with Alpha Nightshade for the examination.”

Eva’s face fell. “I should very much like to support my mate by staying at his side.”

“How honorable and loyal. Romantic even.” Eva grinned, eating up the compliments she was too ignorant and greedy to realize were sarcastic. “However, your mate bond twines your souls together such that it is impossible for me to distinguish between your physical health and his unless you are in separate rooms.”

I forced my face to stay neutral as I marveled at the bullshit the High Priestess continued to weave.

“Of course, High Priestess; I understand.” Eva glanced my way then said, “I should probably go change anyway.” Then she hesitated, practically posed, as if intentionally giving me one more look at her ridiculous outfit.

I kept my gaze firmly on her face as I bit back the onslaught of snarky comments whirling through my mind.

Finally, Eva left me alone in my study with the High Priestess. I took a seat where she directed, and she hovered her glowing hands over me. I was honestly surprised she was actually examining me after all.

“Are you experiencing any symptoms?” she asked.

“No, nothing like my initial response at the temple. Do… others… experience symptoms?” I gave her a knowing look, hoping she knew I was asking specifically about Violet.

But she didn’t meet my eyes in a way that almost felt intentional. “Everyone responds to situations differently. It’s best not to concern yourself with comparison to others.”

I sighed in disappointment, wondering if the High Priestess was truly here solely for an examination, and I wasn’t going to get any information about my alari at all.

“If you’re feeling anxious though, I can tell you a story while I finish my examination to keep your mind at ease.”

I nodded her on while I tried not to get my hopes up that this story would somehow give me information about Violet.

“It’s an old legend I came across recently in the magical archives. You might find it as diverting as I did.”

The High Priestess tapped the side of her neck twice with three fingers, and the next time she spoke, her voice was somehow both muted and clear. I could understand every word she said, though I quickly understood that no one outside this room would be able to hear as easily.

“Centuries ago,” she returned her glowing hands to hover over various parts of my body, “before magic was outlawed, there was a very jealous queen. Not long after she had married into the crown, her king met his mate, threatening the royal life the queen had secured for herself.”

Hope bubbled in my chest at the subtle parallels between my situation with Eva and this story. I prayed to the Goddess that I was about to learn something important.

“In her jealous wrath, the queen ripped out her king’s eyeballs so that he could never lay eyes on his mate again, then she tore out his mate’s tongue so she would be unable to call her blind mate to her. Twisted with envy, the queen blended the eyes and the tongue with her own blood, chanting wildly that the king belonged to her and no one else.”

This story was definitely not good for easing my anxiety.

“When she could chant no longer from her own exhaustion, she discovered an inkling of a bond – one she had forged – linking her to her king. And the bond he had felt with his mate was left in tatters.”

Fear gathered in my chest as I realized the High Priestess was sitting across from me, her hands having been gently folded in her lap for minutes. Apparently the examination was complete.

“She made a mate bond?” I asked. “A real one?”

The High Priestess remained her usual still self. “No. Magic born out of hate could only ever create a cheap imitation of a mate bond.”

Relief flooded my fear, though a nugget of it remained. “How did the king reverse it?”

“He didn’t.”

We stared at one another for a long moment while every ounce of hope drained out of me.

The High Priestess stood suddenly, tapping the side of her neck three times with the same three fingers, as the door to my study opened behind her. “I see no reason for worry,” she said, seemingly unaware that Eva was poking her head in, though I knew better at this point.

“I’m familiar with your grocery deliverer,” she added. “I’ve added a few items to your regular list. A healthy diet will see you through.”

“That’s it?” I hadn’t gotten any news about Violet, good or bad, and not knowing was so much worse.

“Have faith, my boy.” She rested her hand on the top of my head affectionately. “The Goddess never falters.”

My faith in the Goddess was wavering right about now, so I focused instead on something I could always count on: my love for Violet.