Chapter 144

Violet’s POV

We may need to get divorced.

They certainly hadn’t been the words I had anticipated when Theo and I had checked back in via the magical bond.

I was immensely grateful to Auntie for finding the spell to connect Theo and I mind to mind. It would have been too difficult to continue working together without being able to communicate directly. Though if I had known divorce would be suggested within twelve hours of creating the magical bond, I might have reconsidered.

It was a small price to pay to win Eva’s trust, especially since we could always remarry. Besides, our love wasn’t impacted by marriage or divorce at all. Still, the thought of divorcing Theo had my shoulders slumping in a sullen pout.

I sighed in annoyance at my own mood. All the pregnancy hormones were making me broody.

And also apparently giving me magic.

It had occurred to me on the way back to Darkmoon from our honeymoon cabin that there was a possibility no one had broken into my house to cover my bedroom in wildflowers. In all likelihood, I had unknowingly done it myself in my sleep with this new magic I didn’t yet know how to control.

It was an unsettling thought.

It brought to light the terrifying truth that I didn’t have control of my very illegal magic. If I accidentally wielded it in the wrong place at the wrong time, I could be expelled across the border.

That would definitely be a challenging obstacle to overcome whilst overthrowing our king.

I slumped further in my chair in my study. The surprise that I had access to magic kept coming in waves. There was so much there to unpack, and I decided to leave it for across the border when I had family who could hopefully answer my myriad of questions.

A knock sounded on my study door, and Kincaid entered. “You called for me?”

I nodded, motioning him in. “I have an update on my health.”

Kincaid schooled his face into a neutral expression. Ironically, it was his tell that he was nervous. It meant everything that he cared about my well-being.

“The High Priestess offered two solutions for my ongoing symptoms.” It was a lie she agreed to uphold over the phone with me about an hour ago.

“The first is a ten-day retreat outside the border where I will undergo extensive treatment. The second is a divorce.”

Kincaid’s eyebrows rose involuntarily before he was able to smooth over his expression once more. “Divorce,” he repeated.

“The symbolism of it should help ease my mind into accepting the rejection,” I offered as a weak explanation. “Besides, Theo will be wanting a divorce so he can marry his new mate.” I didn’t bother pulling my very real disgust out of the last two words since my distaste made sense with the truth and our ruse.

Kincaid folded his hands in front of him. “I admit that I’m surprised you’re not pursuing a formal mate bond rejection like you did with Lucas.”

Yes, that would be the most logical path if Eva really were Theo’s new mate. Since she wasn’t though, it was an option we needed to avoid at all costs.

“We need to make sure I respond to the treatment and the divorce first.” Kincaid looked unconvinced, so I added, “According to the High Priestess.”

Unwilling to question the High Priestess, he gave a hesitant nod. “I’ve never heard of such a treatment outside the border.”

I straightened in my chair. “Have you ever heard of one mate bond interrupting an already established one?”

He inclined his head in concession. “No.”

“Exactly.” Besides, by the time I got back from my “treatment”, my pregnancy symptoms were likely to have faded, bolstering the illusion that the treatment had worked.

I looked at Kincaid then. I looked at him long and knowingly. If it were my choice, I would keep him in the dark for his own safety, but it pained me to do so.

Dahlia clearly hadn’t told him what Theo had hinted at in the cabin, but if she decided to share anything with him in the future, I hoped he remembered this look and knew that I struggled with this decision.

I looked at him silently for so long that his eyebrows twitched as he tried to understand why. But before he could ask, I broke our eye contact as if nothing had happened.

“I’ll need to make preparations for my trip across the border. Do you have anything for me before you go?” Kincaid adjusted his posture, straightening his shoulders and widening his stance.

It was bad news then.

“Attacks on nobles are increasing. The news won’t report on it for some reason, but Betas across territories are keeping each other informed. We think it’s because—”

“Because Owen abolished the law that anyone who attacks a noble person immediately becomes a rogue,” I realized out loud.

Kincaid nodded his agreement.

I leaned back in my chair as I thought about how this might play out. “Theories on why it’s not all over the news?”

Kincaid took a breath. “Possibly they don’t find it newsworthy.”

I gave him a look to let him know that despite his best diplomatic efforts, we both knew that wasn’t it.

“Or,” he continued, “someone is avoiding blame for the attacks.” Meaning Owen. “Or someone wants them to continue.”

I slumped in my chair again. I knew Owen was not a good leader, yet I was still surprised, and maybe even disappointed, every time he proved me right. If he kept this up, he was going to make overthrowing him easy.

“I should check in with the other Alphas to see how they’re faring and feeling about the situation,” I mused, wondering if it could wait until after my little trip with Theo across the border.

“Perhaps at the Annual Moon Goddess Ball,” Kincaid suggested.

My gaze snapped to my Beta’s at the mention of the country’s largest gathering. I couldn’t believe I’d forgotten about it. I blamed my hormones.

“Remind when the ball is to take place.”

“Next weekend, Alpha.”

I glanced at the calendar on my desk. Even if Theo and I left to go across the border tomorrow, we wouldn’t be back in time. “I can’t miss it,” I muttered.

I looked up to Kincaid, disappointment edging into my tone. “I’ll wait until after the ball to travel across the border for my treatment.”

Once we confirmed there was nothing else to update each other on, Kincaid left me alone in my study, and I lay my head on my desk in frustration.

I needed to be at the ball to reforge and maintain alliances with nobles and Alphas alike. It was the perfect opportunity to garner support before we went after Owen. Unfortunately, it was also a huge risk to be out in public while my magic was still left unchecked.

But it had to be done.

We have to delay our trip, I relayed down the bond. Until after the Annual Moon Goddess Ball.

A moment later, my heart fluttered as Theo’s voice filled my mind. I’ve never been before.

I supposed that made sense since Theo had always opted to stay out of the limelight. I wish I could accompany you to your first one. Looks like Eva gets that honor instead.