Chapter 197. Unresolved Conflict pt. 2

June POV

I grab his hand before he can take another step.

“Don’t go, love. Don’t go to him.”

Hermes freezes. I can feel his pulse through his skin—fast, scared, ready to explode.

My fingers tremble around his sleeve.

I tell myself it’s because of Lucien.

Because of the way his voice still crawls under my skin.

Because of the things he said.

Because of the way he looked at me when I was begging him not to take Hermes from me.

But that’s not the whole truth.

My meeting with Lucien had gone well. I saw fear in his eyes when I told him I could take Hermes away from him. I felt powerful for the first time since everything shattered. I thought that would make me feel better.

It didn’t.

Something was still missing.

And then I had walked back into the villa…

and seen Hermes on the floor, pale, shaking, gasping like he was dying—

My chest tightens.

Flashes slam into me:

Hermes bleedin