The silence that followed was awkward at best.
At first, Violet had wanted nothing more than to talk to him and clear the air between them, but now that her wish had been granted, Violet had no idea what to say.
"I’m sorry."
"I’m sorry."
They both said it at once, their eyes locking in surprise.
"Let go first," Asher said.
"No," Violet shook her head. "Let go first."
She drew in a steadying breath. "I’m sorry for lashing out at you. I was angry, but I should have given you the chance to explain before jumping to conclusions. So yeah, I’m really sorry."
"You don’t need to apologize, Violet. It was all my fault. If I hadn’t gone behind your back to investigate your parentage, we wouldn’t have fought at all." He paused, looking her right in the eyes. "I don’t like us fighting."
Imdiately, Violet was reminded of the little boy she had seen in his mory, the one who stayed in bed at night, wishing for a different kind of miracle. Her heart clenched. She hadn’t ant to bring back that kind of pain for him.
There was no guarantee Asher wouldn’t push her buttons again, but Violet made up her mind right then. She would control her temper better from now on.
Asher looked at her, eyes dark and sincere. "I’m sorry for what I did. Would you find a place in your heart to forgive , Violet Purple?"
There was a mont of silence as Violet studied him, right before a smile crossed her lips. It was not the teasing type, but a gentle one that was full of kindness.
"Apologies accepted, Asher Nightshade. "Although..." Her eyes shone with that sharp curiosity he had co to know too well. "I’m very much interested in knowing what you found out about ."
"Very well, then." Asher agreed imdiately. "Let’s begin."
Violet swallowed, her breath catching slightly as curiosity and anticipation prickled at her skin. She had longed for the truth for so long, yet now that it stood before her, her heart thrumd with a strange kind of dread. What if it changed everything?
"I believe strongly that your biological father is alive."
"What?" Violet gasped, her eyes snapping wide open as the revelation hit her like a slap.
Lila had never spoken much about her father,only that he was the reason she had been separated from her birth mother. And that he was dangerous and was soone to be avoided at all cost.
Asher didn’t stop there.
"That’s not all. He very much knows where you are considering he’s been keeping track of you."
Violet gulped, her heart pounding louder.
Cold sweat broke out along her spine, her breath shaky, while her mind spun.
He knew where she was?
Living in the desolate district one, her entire life had practically been a secret. If the man had eyes on her all this ti, why hadn’t he co for her? If he ant to kill her, wouldn’t he have done so already?
It just didn’t make sense. Unless there was sothing she was missing. Or maybe Asher was mistaken?
She tried to anchor herself in reason. "How are you so sure it’s my biological father and not my mother?"
"Because of the contents of the letters he sent over the years." Asher’s brows furrowed. "They don’t read like sothing a woman would write. There’s too much pride. Too much plans." He paused. "I don’t like it."
He raised his head slowly, locking eyes with her.
"And it seems you’ve t your biological mother already. Who is she?"
Oh.
So this was what it was. A transaction of information. She should’ve known that nothing ca without a cost when it involved Asher Nightshade.
Violet ignored his question entirely, asking instead. "Where are the letters?"
Asher didn’t budge. "Who is she, Violet?"
He rephrased, " What are you?"
Violet’s lips tightened. "I’m sorry, Asher, but I can’t tell you that. It’s for your own safety."
Asher scoffed, the sarcasm dripping from his next words. "Do I look scared to you?"
She sighed, exasperated. "It’s not about fear, Asher. This isn’t so schoolyard dare. It’s dangerous, truly dangerous. And I’d never forgive myself if anything happened to you because of . This is my burden to carry. My battle."
Without a word, Asher stood up and crossed the space between them.
Violet tensed as he knelt before her, the movent unexpected. Then, gently, he took her hand in his and pressed a soft kiss to her knuckles.
"You can trust , my purple queen," he murmured against her skin. "I would never hurt you. I would never use your secret against you if that’s what you’re worried about. I swear it."
His eyes flicked up, holding hers with intensity. "If anything, I’d lay down my life for you, love. That is what I promise."
Violet swallowed, stunned silent by the softness in his tone, and the way his words wrapped around her like armor and warmth all at once.
"Moreover," he added quickly, a shadow of cunning passing through his gaze now, "look how much information you got from in just one seating. Imagine what we could accomplish together. If we worked as one, we might even discover the full truth and the identity of your father. We could solve this puzzle together, princess."
Asher kissed her hand again, this ti deliberately slow. It was a move ant to shatter her resistance and it was working.
Violet was honestly tempted to tell Asher the truth. She trusted him. But then, Lila’s warning kept ringing loudly in her ears.
She sighed. "I need ti. Ti to think about this."
"Take all the ti you want, my purple queen, but not too long. If soone intends to harm you, I want to be prepared for it. You don’t know how much you an to , Violet Purple." His voice was reverent as he kissed her fingers, one by one, the gesture stirring the sa heat Alaric and Roman had summoned earlier.
Violet had been craving Asher for a while now, even though he claid she wasn’t ready. But this was Griffin’s room... surely he wouldn’t mind if they made good use of it.
Just as Violet began to relax, ready to turn up the fla, Asher took the cue and announced, "Also, your mother is mated."
"What?!" Violet shouted, every ounce of lust vanishing from her body at once.
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