Chapter 62

Violet

I woke slowly, the sterile scent of the hospital room giving away my surroundings before I even opened my eyes. The ache in my body from the fight reminded me of everything that had happened, but it was the warmth at my side that pulled me fully into consciousness.

I shifted slightly and found myself curled against Theodore, his arms securely around me, his body a solid, protective presence. His steady breathing was a comfort I felt down to my soul. For a moment, I let myself savor it—the safety, the quiet, the way my heart seemed to beat in time with his.

I had never felt so at peace.

“You’re awake,” Theodore murmured, his voice low and rough with sleep. He pulled back just enough to look at me, his eyes searching mine.

I nodded, my throat still too dry to speak. He reached over to the small table by the bed, pouring a glass of water and helping me drink. His hand was gentle on my back as he steadied me, and I couldn’t help but smile at the care in his touch.

“Thank you… for staying, too.”

His lips curved into a faint smile. “You don't need to thank me for that… It was entirely selfish.”

I laughed as he leaned in, his mouth brushing softly against mine. The kiss was tentative at first, as if he were afraid of hurting me, but when I pressed back, it deepened. His hand came up to cradle my face, his thumb brushing against my cheek, and I let myself get lost in him for just a moment longer.

The sound of the door bursting open had us pulling apart, though not quickly enough to avoid being caught by Lily and Kincaid.

“Well, don’t stop on our account!” Lily teased, holding a bouquet of bright, cheerful flowers.

Kincaid smirked as he followed her in, carrying a basket overflowing with snacks and magazines.

“I would never cockblock. Payback tends to be vicious.”

I laughed softly, though the motion made my ribs protest. Theodore grumbled something under his breath but didn’t move away, his arm still draped around me protectively.

Lily plopped the flowers onto the bedside table and perched on the edge of my bed, her expression turning more serious.

“How are you feeling, Vi?”

“Sore,” I admitted. “But okay. Thank you for coming.”

“Of course,” Lily said, her eyes flicking to Theodore before returning to me. “You’ve been the talk of the town, you know. Everyone’s buzzing about Alpha Nightshade's dramatic rescue of his bride from her villainous ex-husband.”

"How does anyone know about it?"

Kincaid snorted. “Apparently, His Majesty put out a statement trying to wash of things, but unluckily for them I was feeling particularly vicious and leaked the surveillance."

My stomach twisted. “Footage?”

"You didn't think I was going to let His Majesty's bullshit statement stand, did you?" Kincaid grinned. "They made quite the cut from it all. Lucas' is going to have a hard time defending himself for drugging you, and His Majesty is going to be pressed to make another statement."

He handed me the tablet in his hand. "People are already asking why His Majesty didn't mention what charges Lucas will be facing."

I took the tablet, but I couldn't bring myself to watch it just yet. Theodore lifted it from my hands and seemed to watch it. He smirked.

"Damn… You are a fearsome fucking woman." He winked at me. "Damn sexy, too."

I huffed and took the tablet from him, but I was grateful for his reaction. At least, I knew that the footage hadn't painted me in a bad light. I played it and was stunned at how much was left in it. It started just before Lucas cut me off. It was so obvious that I was trying to get away from him. I flinched when he pulled out the can, but it was good to see me, my training, still there in the way that I moved. The rest of it was spliced parts of my many attempts, the way I stumbled. The commentary was sympathetic and even the news anchor who often had the worst stance on any woman doing anything to that grated on his traditional, patriarch sensibilities seemed pleased to paint Lucas as a disgusting excuse for a man and alpha, calling for him to be stripped of his status for assaulting a noble woman and being linked to the growing issue of Black Haze.

"I give it a few days before Owen has to say something," Theodore said. "Even if it's just to calm people down."

"And one more thing." Kincaid dug through his pockets for a small box and offered it to me. Theodore went tense beside me. I looked at him wondering what his problem was only to find him glowering at Kincaid.

Kincaid blinked and chuckled before offering it to Theodore. "Returning it on behalf of the High Priestess. Yours, I believe, is with Dahlia."

Theodore frowned and took the box. I rolled my eyes and cocked an eyebrow at him.

"Really?"

He flushed. "Instinct."

"Let the man settle," Kincaid said, shaking his head. "He's not going to like the idea of any man coming anywhere near you for a good long while."

I shook my head looking back at the tablet. I hadn't realized that Midnight Park’s cameras extended that far into the garden. It was a good thing, since Owen's initial statement probably meant he was going to try and weasel his way out of doing anything about the attack. It would have been nice if there had been some eyewitness or someone within hearing distance.

"Oh,” I said, shaking my head and shifting around to reach into the bodice of my dress.

Theodore lifted the blanket trying to shield me. Kincaid burst into laughter.

"Kincaid has no interest in me, and I'm not getting naked," I said, checking until I felt the activation dial. It was still humming, but much softer meaning it was running out of power.

I turned it off and felt it power down.

"Kincaid, could you check if the recording went through and back it up at least three times, remote and local."

Kincaid's eyes brightened. "You had surveillance on? I would have sent the two together!"

He took the tablet back, whistling. Lily leaned over his shoulder to watch.

Theodore turned to me. “What's personal surveillance? Like a voice recorder?”

"Something like that." I pulled at the edge of gown, slipping the thin belt off and out through the side zipper. I deactivated the stealth spell on it so he could see.

"What… You weren't wearing that all night…"

"I was," I said. "I've taken up wearing it since this all started. It’s easier to sneak around with than my daggers and linked to a private server in Darkmoon. When activated, it records everything around me."

I accessed the latest recording and played it from the beginning, starting with the moment I saw Lucas in the garden.

"Who's there?" My voice came through. "Show yourself."

I pushed stop and smiled up at Theodore. "It'll be damn hard for him to argue it was a misunderstanding when this is played." I turned the dial, setting it to save to my recording device as well as back up to the server. I didn't want to chance it getting lost.

"What…" Theodore leaned forward, his brows furrowing. “Can I see?"

I offered it to him. "You won't be able to do anything with it though. It's locked."

He turned it over in his hands.

“Where did you get it? Did someone make it for you?”

I hesitated. This wasn't something I'd ever really discussed with anyone, but… Theodore was at least more trustworthy than Lucas had ever been.

“I made it myself. Back at the Academy.”

Theodore blinked, momentarily stunned. “You made it? Violet, what exactly did you major in while you were there?”

I couldn’t help but smile at his surprise. “Double major, actually. Business on the Academy side. And magical engineering from my mother’s home country’s university. It’s not valid here, but the knowledge has been useful.”

Theodore looked like he wanted to say something, but he shook his head and smiled. The way he looked at me now made my chest tighten. There was something in his expression, a mixture of admiration and something else I couldn’t quite place. He didn’t press the issue, but I could tell he wanted to.

Tyron called Kincaid to update him on the moving all the traitors out of Darkmoon. Things were apparently going well.

"We made sure he only took what he actually owned with him."

“Thanks," I said.

"Unfortunately, there's been no word about your request to challenge Lucas formally."

Theodore growled. "Of course not."

I frowned, glancing at Theodore. “You requested to challenge him?”

Theodore nodded. "I at least made it known to the law team that's what I want."

"I'm touched, but…" I studied him and bit my lip.

"I was under the impression that feeding the mythos around the Uncrowned King title was the last thing you wanted."