This Time Tomorrow (Phenomenal Fate 2)

The king said nothing.

If Elias still had the ability to breathe, he would have been winded. “If Roksana doesn’t bring that bargaining chip to Inessa, her mother won’t stop until she’s dead.” His fangs started to vibrate, preparing to descend at the threat to his mate. “I could protect Roksana, but I know damn well she’ll seek out her own punishment.”

“You could tell her the truth about Inessa,” Tucker suggested quietly.

Elias shook his head. “No.”

“I could tell her, too. But as much as I want to trust Roksana, there is no guarantee she’ll side with me and grant me the game piece instead,” Jonas said briskly, his Adam’s apple lifting and falling. “After all, this is the girl who has been threatening to slaughter us for the better part of two years.”

“Don’t ask me to steal it from her and bring it to you, instead,” Elias said.

“I wouldn’t waste my breath.”

“She will do the right thing,” Elias rumbled, his fangs dropping, outrage on behalf of his mate tightening his skin like elastic. “Her heart is ten miles wide. She has more integrity in her little finger than I could ever hope to have.”

Jonas studied him for a heavy beat. “Are you willing to gamble on that?”

“Any day of the week.”

After a tense moment, the king nodded. “Go to Coney Island. Once Roksana finds out what exactly her mother has sent her to retrieve, she’ll make her decision.” He rose from the table. “But if she makes the wrong one, it’s up to you, Elias, to make sure that bargaining chip doesn’t end up in the wrong hands. Even if it means betraying your mate. I won’t have this kingdom crumble before I’ve even had the chance to build it.”

Elias nodded tightly, the urge to go gather Roksana close burning him like a fever.

He wouldn’t go to her again tonight, though. He needed to think. To prepare himself for the potential calamity ahead. No matter what happened, he would see that Roksana lived. She had her vengeance and her mother’s love driving her. He had his undying love for his slayer.

Heart heavy, Elias stood to leave the room, but Jonas’s voice halted him at the threshold. “Elias. Before you go…” The king flicked a glance at Tucker who, interpreting Jonas’s request for privacy, lumbered from the room at his preferred human speed.

“Yes?” Elias prompted, crossing his arms.

“You’ve always kept your secrets and I’ve respected that. But I have a kingdom and a mate to protect now.” Jonas settled a fist on the table. “You might have absolute faith in Roksana. She does not have the same level of faith in you, however.”

Elias’s voice was as raw as his insides. “What are you trying to say?”

“I’m saying you keep things from her that could paint you in a stronger light, yet you don’t take those opportunities. All so that Roksana can have her almighty vengeance.” Jonas reclined in his chair. “I will and have taken those opportunities, not only because I have cause to be strategic now. But because you’re being self-destructive.”

“So what if I am? I’m not reasonable when it comes to her. I can’t be,” Elias growled. “You understand this feeling well, don’t you? It was only a few months ago you arrived at this hold to die so Ginny could live a free, happy life.”

“And your actions that day are part of the reason I didn’t. Why I have the privilege of calling her my wife now and keeping her eternally.” He leaned forward. “You have more worth than her vengeance, Elias. Start believing that before it’s too late.”

CHAPTER NINETEEN

Roksana rolled her neck right to left, shuffling her feet agilely on the mat. Sweat soaked the tank top and yoga pants Ginny had helpfully left in the guest room. She’d woken alone in bed, anxiety pouring down on her like a waterfall as soon as she opened her eyes. Dressing quickly and securing her hair in a ponytail, she’d gone prowling, looking for a place to blow off steam. There were dozens of floors in the vampire hold and she’d chosen to go down, away from the upstairs bedrooms and beneath the great hall in search of space.

There wasn’t a treadmill in existence that could go fast enough to make it worthwhile for a vampire, nor did it make sense for them to lift weights. Their bodies would never change from the form it was in upon their Silencing. At best, she’d been hoping for an empty room, but she’d found a massive training facility instead. A blue mat covered the entire floor area of the room, mirrors made up the walls, dummies hung from ropes.

And based on the half-full blood bags and weaponry scattered on the mat, it had been recently used. With slayings on the rise in the States, it was prudent for Jonas to be holding training sessions with his closest assets and advisors. Seeing the evidence of their preparations, however, really made it hit home that the vampires she’d grown to care for were in danger. Elias was in danger. From her own kind.