“Next!” I skipped over it and Ana pushed it to the side to unzip the next one. When she revealed the third gown, my eyes widened as I took it all in, reaching for the silk and lace material. “This one,” I whispered. “This is the one.”
Helena gave a satisfied grin. “I knew ye’d like that one.”
I glanced at her with smiling eyes. “You know me so well.” I leaned down and gave her a kiss on the cheek.
She waved me away with a proud smile. “Go on now, hen. Get on the platform so we can get yer measurements.”
I did as I was told and Ana gathered my measurements. Even though the gowns were my size, they still had to double check to see if anything needed to be taken in or let out. It was a good thing they did.
“Yer Majesty, ye’ve lost some weight,” Ana said as she took notes on my new size.
I frowned. “I have?”
Helena tsked. “That’s nae good, chickie. Ye must eat! I’ll be doubling yer servings for dinner.”
Helena and Ana started talking amongst themselves about how and where to take in the seams, but I was lost in my head. Had I really lost weight? How? I was eating just as much as I normally did. Was it because I was still sick?
Maybe I should just bite the bullet and see Dr. Harris. It’s the only way I’ll get better.
I left the dressing room with William and headed straight for my office. When I arrived, Liam stopped me before entering. “Mr. Lucian Young is in yer office waiting for ye, Yer Majesty,” he announced.
I nodded and stepped inside to find Lucian seated in one of the chairs across from my desk. “Hey!” I walked over and took a seat behind my desk. “What brings you around these parts?”
He leisurely crossed one leg over the other and leaned back in the chair. “Oh, this and that, Pet.” He waved his hand in the air. “You haven’t called on me in so long, I was starting to worry.”
I grinned. “You did me a great service being my intermediary with the Highlanders, Luce. Thank you.”
He hummed and a troubled look crossed his face. “I haven’t seen them in quite some time. The forest has been quiet.”
“The forest is dangerous right now,” I replied cryptically. “It’s best if you stay out of it.”
Lucian’s dark eyes narrowed. “You think you can say that and not have me ask for more information, Pet?”
I sighed. “I can’t give out any information right now. It would cause chaos.”
“And when have you known me to have loose lips?”
“Really?” I mean, he literally ratted me out to Alexander. Loose lips, my ass.
Lucian rolled his eyes. “Whatever, Pet. All I’m saying is I have your back. Don’t keep me out if I can help.”
It wasn’t that I didn’t trust Lucian. Quite the contrary, I trusted him with my life. But I also wanted to keep him safe. I’d dropped way too much trouble on his doorstep and it was time I stopped doing that. I couldn’t run to Lucian every time there was a problem.
“Hey!” he scolded. “I know that look! It’s the look of pity,” he added with a glare. “Don’t worry about me, Pet.” He placed a hand on his chest in a dramatic gesture. “I’m fine. I want to help, so let me help. If I didn’t want to, I would have stayed my behind in my cozy cottage—hashtag cottagecore.” He made a hashtag motion with his fingers.
I burst out laughing. “Oh my God, Lucian, don’t ever do that again!” I snorted in laughter. “You’re spending way too much time on social media. You must be bored.”
He groaned and dropped his head against the back of the chair, slouching in a very un-Lucian-like manner. “Ugh, I am extremely bored!” He lifted his head and peered at me. “I need you to get into trouble so there can be some excitement.”
“Thanks,” I deadpanned. “Fine. You want in on the current drama? Don’t complain when it’s too much for you to handle.” I wagged my finger at him.
Lucian waved his hands at me. “Give it to me, Pet. Lay it on me.”
I pursed my lips for a moment before speaking. “There’s a demon in Sheunta Village. Don’t ask how he got in, because even I don’t know. His name is Abaddon and he attacked the Highlanders not too long ago. He’s … after something. We don’t know what. But he’s deadly and he won’t stop attacking until he gets what he came for.”
Lucian stared at me for a moment and blinked. “Abaddon, you say?”
I nodded.
He leaned back and sighed. “Well, damn, I probably shouldn’t have had tea with him the other day.”
I choked on my own spit in my haste to speak. “What?” I exclaimed. “You know him?”
Lucian shrugged nonchalantly. “We’re old pals. I hadn’t seen him in centuries. Although I thought he’d changed. He said he was different,” he murmured mainly to himself, deep in thought.
Well, I’d be damned. The one person I wanted to keep out was the one person I needed. Lucian was the only one who had seen Abaddon’s human face. He was the only way we could find him.
17
Before Lucian left, I called in Ranulf so Luce could divulge everything he knew about Abaddon. Which unfortunately wasn’t much more than what we already knew. The only advantage he provided was that he knew what the demon looked like. That was a critical piece of intel we lacked before.
Ranulf paced my office, wearing a hole in the rug. He finally stopped and whirled around. “What were the odds that Lucian knew this demon?”
“I don’t know, but he warned us to be careful. Lucian said he’s known for bringing destruction and chaos. He’s brought empires to their knees—”
“And we’re sorely outmatched. If what Lucian says is correct, he can take out whole armies,” Ranulf grimaced.
I tightened my fists. “I don’t believe in
