A Curse of Shadows - Page 73

“Because it was Estee,” I tell him with a sigh, leaning back in the chair.

He lets out a low whistle. “Well, that complicates things. How does your mate feel about that?”

“She’s convinced that Estee wasn’t in control of her own actions and that’s why the two of them ended up on Earth together,” I explain, adding, “I agree with her, which is why I’m here. Do you remember the dark objects that used to exist?”

Dad’s chest rumbles. “Of course I do. One of them took my life.”

Shit. How did I forget that? I think it was his second or third one. Either way, it’s not something he’s ever liked to talk about. Unfortunately, he’s going to have to this time.

“Do you know anything about a dagger that would be able to take down a wolf shifter?” I ask, my knee bouncing as I wait for him to answer.

His eyes level on me and he shakes his head. “If you think dark magic had anything to do with Isla’s murder, you’re going to need to find who did this, Son. They’re a danger to all of us and as king, this is your responsibility.”

“I know that.” I sit up again, wondering if maybe coming to him wasn’t the best idea. “What happened between you and Mom?”

If he needs to get this off his chest before he can be helpful, then maybe we can help each other.

“She says I do too much,” he replies with a low growl. “That I don’t spend enough time with her and the whole point of my giving up the throne was so that I could rest, but she has no idea what I’ve done for this kingdom, the sacrifices I’ve made. It’s not easy for me to just sit back and do nothing.”

It’s been almost four hundred years since he officially passed the crown to me, Isla’s death having postponed his request by over a century when I refused to stop looking for her. I didn’t realize he still felt so at odds with his decision. I knew it was hard for him to admit he had a weakness that could affect our kingdom’s reputation, but I was certain he’d moved on from that.

“I’m sorry, Dad,” I tell him sincerely. “If you want to do more, especially in a more official capacity, I will make that happen.”

He takes a deep breath and gives his shoulders a shake. “No, I’m sorry. I should be over this by now and it’s no wonder your mother is frustrated with me. Plus, you didn’t come here to talk about me. You need answers. Though I’m not sure what I can do after all this time. A fragmented memory isn’t much to go on.”

Settling back into my seat, I hope he’s wrong. “Do you think dark magic would have severed your link to Isobella as her alpha back then? You never could confirm if she was dead or not. Maybe this is why.”

His brows pinch together and he tilts his head. “It’s certainly possible. There’s a reason those objects were supposed to be disposed of. That’s also why I tried so hard to get you to stop looking for her. I never thought she was dead and then when… Well, never mind that. We need to focus on this memory. Maybe I should speak with Isla and hear for myself what she saw.”

“No,” I demand, not liking his sudden change of direction with our conversation. “What happened that you’re not telling me?”

He swallows thickly and looks away from me. “I should have told you this years ago, but I didn’t want to hurt you any further.”

“What?” I demand, my voice booming louder than I intend. “I’m sorry. This is just a lot to process. What should you have said before?”

Dad’s steady gaze meets mine again and he says the one name I’m not surprised to hear but also don’t expect right now.

“Noen.”

“What about him?” The pressure in my chest grows heavier by the tick of the clock on the wall beyond me.

“He’s the one who told me that Isla left on her own accord,” my father admits. “Yet he was also the one to stand by you the most back then. I should have questioned his motives, but at the time, something didn’t feel right, and the two of you were friends, so I just let it go. Maybe I shouldn’t have. You haven’t left her alone with him since she’s returned, have you?”

“Do you think Noen killed my mate?” I ask, not because I don’t think it’s possible, but because at one point, I had wondered if he could have had something to do with it, but everyone made me feel as if my suspicions had only been formed because he was in love with her.

Yet maybe that’s exactly why he should have been the person we looked at most.

“I don’t know why the boy would have done it, but his father worked for me,” Dad says. “He had high-level access to the castle. If he shared any of that information with Noen… Do you know if Edward has returned to Lunara?”

Noen’s father died a few years ago. As far as I know, he had no intentions of being reborn. The man had lived several lives, none of them lasting with his mate. He was bitter and tired after losing his mate three consecutive lifetimes and I hadn’t tried to talk him out of his chance at peace.

Neither had his son.

Gods, could Noen have really done this out of spite? After centuries of thinking he was my friend, I don’t want to believe it’s possible, but the moment Isla was back, every instinct in me screamed to keep him away from her.

Was I ignoring what my subconscious already knew all along? I’m not yet sure, but I’m certainly going to find out.

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE