Page 30 of Lies That Bleed
Shock ripped through me at my reflection. My skin wasn’t burned or bruised. And not just that—my hair had changed.
I sucked in a breath as I reached up and fingered the new orangish red coloring that encompassed the left side of my hair. The right side was still black.
“Emperor…” The coroner’s voice was high-pitched. “We… ahh… have a situation that I feel is very delicate. Can you come in person immediately?”
Pause.
“Sir, your daughter is alive.” The man winced and then hung up the phone.
“He’s coming to get you,” the coroner told me.
Great.
“Can I use the bathroom?” I asked him, panic fully rising up inside of me. Was I scared of my own father? Unfortunately yes. He took his role as emperor and his legacy very seriously, and I’d gone and bonded to a potentially immortal creature that made me more powerful than him, which would embarrass him.
You didn’t want to embarrass my father.
“Sure.” The coroner pointed to a door in the back wall.
I rushed over to it and threw myself inside. Splashing warm water on my face, I sucked in deep lungfuls of air.
Where was my bonded? Was she okay?
Of course she was, she was a freaking firebird.
I splashed more water on my face, trying to regain control of my breathing. I needed to play this cool. Like I was excited to see my father and had no idea what powers I had now acquired.
No. That would scare him.
I needed to seem in control, like I knew exactly what was going on, and yes I’d just escaped death, but only this once. Only because of the bonding.
Yes. That was how I needed to play this.
I dried my face and smoothed my hair.
There was a bang at the bathroom door and I steeled myself.
“Aisling!” My father’s shout was frantic, and I swung the door open only for him to stagger backward in shock.
He looked like he hadn’t slept. His eyes were puffy, like maybe he’d even cried. Did I underestimate his love for me? Would he choose me over being emperor given the chance?
I’d never ask it. I didn’t want the answer. He was the only parent I had left. I had to believe he’d choose me.
“Father.” I stepped out of the bathroom, keeping a military posture as my gaze flicked to Zuri. His creature stared at me with an unreadable expression.
“You’re alive.” His voice was breathless.
He reached out and grasped my shoulders, squeezing as if to make sure I wasn’t a ghost.
“I am,” I said, reaching up to grasp his hands.
We didn’t hug, but this was the closest thing.
My father said affection was a weakness, so he was sure not to show it, but this tender touch told me so much. He cared.
He released me, reaching up to rub the sides of his face.
The coroner was still in the room behind him and I knew my father would want to speak privately. “Go wait in the car,” my father commanded, and then walked over to the coroner’s desk.
