He smirked. “I’ve been able to coax at least a trickle of perspiration from Lucia’s previous suitors. That’s what you are, isn’t it? In addition to being her so-called tutor? I see how you look at her and I don’t like it. I don’t trust you like she does.”
“You don’t know me.”
“I know enough.” Magnus walked a circle around Alexius. He could see no reason to mince words. “Why have you come here today? There’s nothing around for miles besides the Temple of Cleiona.”
The three exchanged a look, confirming to Magnus all the more that they were up to something.
Finally, Lucia broke the silence. “We need to tell him.”
“Lucia,” Cleo protested.
“He may be a bit brash and rude, but I trust him—I trust him every bit as much as I trust the two of you.” Lucia turned to Magnus. She searched his face and took a deep breath. “We’re here today to claim a part of the Kindred.”
Every ounce of his bravado and composure Magnus walked into this situation with washed away in an instant. All he could do was stare at her, wondering if he’d heard her wrong.
“Are you certain of what you’re saying?” he said with a rasp in his voice.
“It’s true.” She nodded. “Father wants it for himself, but he can’t have it, Magnus. That’s why I had to lie today. He doesn’t know the truth.”
His throat was tight, his mouth dry. He suddenly realized how warm it was today and felt as if his heavy black coat was trying to choke him.
“What truth?” he asked.
“That the Kindred must be found and immediately returned to the Sanctuary. If they’re not, the world will . . . it will . . .”
“What?” He forced himself to regain his composure. “Will life as we know it end? Is that what your new tutor told you?”
“Essentially,” Alexius said.
Of course. How better to manipulate Lucia than to convince her the world would end without her assistance?
Magnus glanced at Cleo. She held her arms across the bodice of her rose-colored gown, which was far fancier than anything typically worn on a walk through a thick forest on a hot day. She regarded him with a silent, sour expression—not a new look for her by any means.
“And why are you here?” he asked her.
“I want to help,” she replied.
“Oh, yes. So helpful.” If Lucia honestly believed this duplicitous creature was a true friend to her, she was a fool. For all her rigid upbringing and the lack of love and guidance from her cold and calculating mother, Lucia could be so unforgivably naïve. “How convenient it is that you’re along for the ride today. With your interest in the Kindred and all.”
“Of course I’m interested in the Kindred,” Cleo replied quickly. “I live in Mytica and have heard the legends and stories all my life. However, I didn’t know it was all true until just the other day.”
She said it with such confidence, even Magnus almost believed her.
Almost.
Magnus looked at Lucia. “You should have told me about this.” He didn’t mean to sound so harsh. But they used to share so much, it pained him that she hadn’t trusted him.
“I’m sorry. I should have told you. But I know how close you’ve become with Father lately. You two are practically inseparable.”
“That is vastly overstating matters.”
“Magnus is right,” Cleo said. “He doesn’t spend all his time with the king. Some of his time—or at least some of his nights—are spent with Princess Amara.”
Lucia looked at him, shocked. “You and Amara?”
He’d spent only the one night with the Kraeshian princess. She hadn’t made contact with him since returning to her villa and it hadn’t bothered him one bit. She’d been a pleasant distraction, nothing more than that. But no one had to know that but him.
“I couldn’t help myself,” Magnus said. “Amara is irresistible. We do have so much in common. That girl is full of possibilities.”