Chapter 255
~ ROWAN
It fucking hurt to speak to my sister that way. It had always been just Aria and I for years, but after everything, I wasn’t sure it could be like that anymore.
It looked like there was a lot more she wanted to say, but at the last minute she decided against it and turned away, walking out of the office. Only when she was gone did I allow myself to exhale deeply, burying my face into my hands.
I allowed myself one minute of nothing, to just breathe through the bullshit before turning back to the work I had to do.
I felt the table vibrate under my elbows and I cursed, immediately pushing paper around until I found my phone. I lifted it to my ears without glancing at the caller ID, hoping it was one of the guards with information.
“What did you find p>
“Hello to you too, Rowan p>
My blood ran cold as a wave of icy rage settled deep inside of me. I’d been trying to reach the bastard since she went missing but he was conveniently unavailable.
“You played us, Allister,” I growled, voice low. “You lied to us p>
“I didn’t do shit,” he hissed. “I told you that my father had someone in your palace. Hell, I almost got my throat cut out because he found out I’d met with you all. If anything, I should be pissed at you. How the fuck did you not know that your sister was the spy p>
I ground my teeth in frustration, forcing a breath out of my nose. “She was compelled p>
“And now p>
I shrugged. “It seems to have worn off. She’s apologetic and she remembers the events leading up to it but not much in between. But enough about her, How is she? Nyssa. I need to talk to her p>
“You can’t do that. My father keeps her under lock and key. He has guards around her p>
“Are you telling me you can’t just sneak in and give her a damn phone p>
“I’m trying to get back into his good graces after the stunt your sister fucking pulled. You’re lucky I can even speak on the phone at all p>
“Then why the fuck are you calling me?” I snapped. “If it isn’t to hand her over to me p>
“Because I have a new plan… a way to get her out of here alive. It’s a lot riskier than the last one p>
I couldn’t help but snort. “Forgive me if I don’t have much faith in you right now p>
“Do you have a better idea?” he asked, exasperation dripping from his words. “We want the same thing. You can try to do it without me, hell, I’ll even give you directions to our palace. Wage a fucking war if you’d like, but I know my father, and he will kill her before you set foot on his soil p>
A short snarl escaped me as frustration bound tightly around my throat.
He was right… I had no other choice. “I’m listening p>
His plan was half baked at best and was barely holding together by a thread. If even one thing went wrong, everyone involved would die, and that included me and Nyssa. The last thing I wanted to do was risk my mate’s life.
“Do you understand everything?” he asked and I hummed. “This is serious—
“I’m not fucking five. I know what needs to be done p>
“The less people you have, the better. Once he is dead, there will be no need for a fight. You just need to stay alive until I can kill him p>
“How comforting,” I drawled. “Anything else p>
He was silent for a long minute. “I’ll see if I can get you a picture of her. Something to let you know that she’s alive p>
My chest twisted uncomfortable and my stomach hollowed as a bitter taste flooded my mouth. I’d give anything for a picture, but more than anything, I’d give my entire fucking kingdom to hold her.
“Promise me that she is safe p>
“I’m doing my best to keep her out of trouble, but she has fire, and she doesn’t bow easy p>
My lips curved into a small smile despite the brewing storm inside of me. “That sounds like her p>
“No one will hurt her, you have my word. She will be returned to you before the end of the week p>
The week was too fucking long, but as it stood, there was no way we could get it done faster.
Having her so far, surrounded by so many enemies was my worst fucking nightmare, and the fact that I had to rely on Allister of all people. I didn’t trust him as far as I could throw him, but he was my only chance.
“I’ll keep in touch,” he said finally before hanging up the phone.
I stared at the blank screen for what felt like hours after, slowly going over every stage of that plan in my head. Allister had asked that I bring only three men with me. It was far smaller than I was comfortable with, but I had no other choice but to comply.
I’d station a team a good distance away. Close enough that they’d be able to rush in if needed, but only three would go with me.
Jeremiah was undeniably one, it was the others I’d have to think about.
My phone buzzed and I glanced down at it.
There was no written message, just one attachment, and I knew what it was before I even opened it.
My chest tightened as the picture loaded.
Nyssa stood to the corner, her arms crossed over her chest. She wore a long dress of pale grey and her hair was tied up into a curly bun atop her head. She seemed fixated on something because her brows were furrowed and her lips pursed.
Huge bags covered her under eyes and her shoulders seemed to droop with exhaustion.
I let my finger run over the picture, silently committing it to memory.
My phone buzzed as another message came in. Another picture, from another number.
It loaded and my stomach churned because in this picture, a girl sat chained to a chair, with ripped clothes stained with blood… the same ones Nyssa wore when she was taken.
One line accompanied the message: Are you ready to discuss?