Chapter 19 Chapter Nineteen
And at times, the truth and the lie blurs into one, making both indistinguishable~ Xarius Vancei.
Xarius
I feel troubled. It’s unheard for a person to die without cause. I wait for Xander to return to his chair. His expression is weird, and he casts brief glances at us before taking a seat.
“Who was it?” Xavier asks. I wait for Xander’s response.
“Lillyan,” he says. “She ran away even before I got to the door, but I saw her robe.” He says. He looks puzzled, just as I am beginning to feel. What was her intention by eavesdropping on us like that?
Xavier makes a low sound deep in his throat, and two clefts appear on his forehead, evidence of his thoughts. He’s playing with a ball pen.
“I want to think that she’s behind it,” Xander suddenly says. My head whips in his direction and I shake my head.
“I know you don’t like her that much, but she can’t possibly be,” I counter. His eyes narrows. I ignore him and go on anyway. “For one, she couldn’t possibly be aware of the fact that an emissary was to arrive at Blackmoon. And even if she did—which she didn’t—what’s her intention by poisoning him?” I ask. Xander frowns. Xavier doesn’t say a word.
“To get back at us. Xavier humiliated her the other time by almost forcing her to swear an oath.” He reminds us. I wince. That hadn’t been exactly great.
“So, you think she’s behind this?” Xavier finally chimes in. That contemplative frown is still on his face, and the ball pen rests a few inches away from his hand. I crave for a good bath, and a pretty rest afterwards. If I’m lucky, I can get two of the maids for a hot threesome. However, the thought of the murder crosses my mind again, and my mood is dampened.
“Suspect, is the word, brother,” Xander corrects. “I suspect she’s behind this.” He says.
I chuckle. “I understand you’re in a hurry to pin accusations on the nearest suspect, making it easier for us to evade blame, but think carefully. This matter is too delicate a crime for it to be taken lightly.” I argue in a quiet manner. He flares up, startling us both. His hand slams on the table, and he snarls. I can feel his inner wolf challenging mine, and I growl in warning—a silent signal for him to back off.
“Of course, you’ll defend her,” he sneers. “Don’t think I haven’t noticed how you eye-fuck her, and jerk off to the thoughts of her.” He accuses. A lazy smile teases my lips.
“Tell me, brother,” I begin, tucking away a stubborn strand of hair which comes down my forehead. “How did you know I jerk off to the thoughts of her? Like you said, they’re thoughts,” I pause and make signs in the air. “In my head. Are you psychic now?” I shoot back, and he clenches his fists.
“Stop thinking with your dick,” he retorts, looking disgusted.
“I am surprised that the king of the underworld can’t think straight.” I fire back.
He opens his mouth—I’m sure to retort—when Xavier interrupts with a calm collected voice.
“That should be enough,” he says. “We are not here to quarrel but find a solution, before Steelfang gets word of what happened to their emissary. By then, it might be too late to do anything.”
Evidence of Xander’s anger is written on his face, and his jaw is worked into a hard clench.
“Isn’t that what we are doing?” I ask sweetly. It’s just a beautiful opportunity to provoke Xander. How can I let it slip by my fingers? “Finding a solution?”
Xander’s eyes give a silent promise of a tsunami that would burst soon. It makes me want to irk him further.
“Xarius,” Xavier calls out in warning. I raise my hands in mock surrender and lean back on my chair.
“While I think Lillyan is not the culprit, we can’t rule out the possibility that she is,” Xavier begins, after several seconds pass with Xander and I exchanging looks. “Until the culprit is found, everyone is a suspect. We can give alibi for ourselves, but we can’t do the same for others. Besides, we don’t know who Lillyan really is. We could be living with an assassin for all we know.” He points out, and I’m momentarily reminded of the smooth way I saw her practice with that sword. You don’t get to see such swordsmanship everyday.
“Got something to say?” Xavier asks me, his eyes probing mine.
I shake my head, savoring the thought that I’m probably the only one who’s witnessed her practice with a sword before. It’ll be my secret to keep. I don’t see any need to tell them.
“No,” I say. “None at all.”
“So, we keep an eye on everyone. This meeting is over.” Xavier rises from his chair and says. I do the same. Xander says nothing as I brush past him and head out of the throne room.
That bath is still on my mind, and a good sex afterwards.
“You,” I call out to one of the maids who passes me with their heads bowed. She raises her head as if unable to believe that I spoke to her.
“You mean me, Your Highness?” She blushes. I nod to myself. She’ll do.
“Yes, you. Bring a glass of wine to my room in twenty minutes.” I order, already on the move. I should be done soaking up in my bath by then. She bows nervously and hurries away with her friends.
Thoughts of Lillyan fleets across my mind, and an involuntary smile teases my lips.
She’s starting to grow on me. Do I like it?
I stare into the vast space. Not. Even. A. Little. Bit.
Not to lie to myself, her feistiness is a great turn on. I don’t like my girls docile, though it doesn’t matter if you’re looking for a quick fuck. Deep down in my heart, I know I’m not seeking a quick fuck with Lillyan. She hasn’t told us her surname yet. I wonder which pack she’s originally from. But no matter how much the thoughts of her fill my mind, her rejection isn’t something I’m ever going to forgive.