returned, and a dashing Nightingale prince claimed you were his fated mate?”
The look of pure horror that appears on Vivienne’s face makes me suspect she was mated to someone.
“Then I don’t think I’d have a choice. Bonded mates don’t have eyes for anyone else besides their mates.”
Okay, maybe she didn’t have a mate. Duh, Aurora, of course she didn’t. She wouldn’t have left Ellnesari behind if she was mated to someone. I know I wouldn’t have been able to walk away from Saxon and cross into a different realm.
“So the fact that you’re madly in love with Lucca wouldn’t matter?”
“I’d probably cease to be in love with him.” Vivienne narrows her eyes. “Why are you asking me all these questions about fated mates?”
Shit. I thought I could get all the information I needed from her without having to tell the truth. I guess not.
Letting my shoulders sag forward and heaving a loaded sigh, I say, “I’m mated to Saxon.”
She stares at me without blinking for a few seconds. “Are you sure?”
“I’m positive. We hook—”
“You hooked up with Saxon? Oh my God. When did that happen?”
“Gee, take it easy, will you? It was about a month ago.”
She smacks her open palm on the counter. “I knew there was something going on between you two.”
“There’s nothing going on between us. I’m his mate, but I can’t be.”
“Why not? Because he’s a vampire and you’re a witch? Besides the whole immortality bit, is there a rule that says you can’t be together?”
“No, not a rule, only my upcoming wedding to someone else.”
“You’re engaged?” Her voice rises to a pitch, making me wince.
“Yeah. To a douche canoe. Arranged marriages are still a thing among witches and mages.”
“Oh my God, Aurora. I’m so sorry. Is that why you want to break your bond with Saxon? What does he have to say about it?”
“He wants the mating bond gone as much as I do.” I try to keep my voice steady, but it pains me to say that.
“Really?” Her delicate eyebrows furrow together. “Mated males are super possessive. I can’t believe he hasn’t killed your fiancé yet.”
“He almost did. If King Raphael hadn’t intervened, Saxon would be facing a trial right now. Murder is murder, no matter the cause or the victim.”
“How are you coping? I mean, I assume you’re not sleeping together.”
“No, although it’s pretty hard to resist the pull.” I look at the floor. “And Saxon is a hot piece of ass.”
Vivienne laughs. “Yeah, he’s not bad to look at.” There’s a poignant pause, and Vivienne’s expression becomes grim again. “But in all seriousness, I get why you need to end the bond, but those things don’t simply happen at random, Aurora. The mating bond happens to bring the right people together. Are you sure you want to find a way to destroy it?”
“I have no choice, okay? I shouldn’t be telling you this, but I made a deal with a very powerful witch. She wants me to marry Calvin so I can have access to the first grimoire in history, which his family possesses. In exchange, she gave me the spell that brought Lucca back from hibernation.”
That’s as much as I dare reveal to Vivienne on the matter. I can’t say what I saw in the Nightingale mirror. That future is too gruesome, and I hope that Elena is wrong and it doesn’t come to pass.
“You found the spell? Everyone thinks your mother was responsible for it.”
“And it should stay that way. No one can know about my deal with Elena, not even Lucca.”
Vivienne shakes her head. “This is really messed up. I’m so torn right now. Grateful that you brought Lucca back, but distraught that you have to marry someone you don’t love as a result.”
“Don’t feel bad about me. I come from a long line of High Witches. Sacrifice for the greater good is in my DNA.”
Her frown tells me she’s so not buying my lame excuse. “I wish it didn’t have to be this way for you. But don’t worry, your secret is safe with me.”
“I appreciate your discretion, but I also need your help. We have to find a way to break the bond.”
She drops her gaze, biting her lower lip. She’s definitely hiding something.
“You know of one, don’t you?”
“Kind of. Rikkon was bonded to someone before he crossed over to the human realm with me. It nearly killed him to be apart from his mate. I think…” Her voice becomes chocked up. “I think it’s why he deteriorated