Chapter 82
I was alone for the next few minutes until a knock on my door sometime around six ended that. Kiara stirred in my arms from the noise and I murmured for whoever was on the other side to come in. I had not expected to see Jared outside my
home. door but when I glanced at the time, I realized why he was calling me. It was time for us to go
I fully roused Kiara who was still half asleep. She opened her eyes but I knew she wasn’t going to walk on her own so I carried her on my hip and balanced my bag on the other shoulder as I made my way out to where Jaxon was waiting for us with Kieran, Kieran was still in his clothes from school and they were talking animatedly when I arrived. He must have sent someone to pick him up and had Kieran playing around the palace until we finished.
Kieran saw us first and rushed over to help me with my bag and happily handed it over to him. Jaxon carried a half asleep Kiara and placed her securely in her booster seat. I knew she would wake up sometime during the ride but until then, she needed to be safe. I was about to get into the car but he stopped me.
“Did you have anything to eat today?” he asked and I shrugged. I didn’t realize how late it was so I didn’t bother. He frowned when he realized what my dismissive shrug meant. “Did you at least try to eat something or did you just forget?”
My cheeks heated because we both knew which it was. “I’m sorry. I just lost track of time after everything. I was thinking.”
He sighed and took a step back. I had expected him to put up more of a fight but he said nothing as he started driving and I realized why when I noticed he wasn’t going in the direction of the house. He drove down the busy streets until he came to a stop in front of a massive restaurant. Just from looking at it, I knew that we were all underdressed. I was in jeans and a shirt, Jaxon was in slacks and a button up while Kieran was in his messy school clothes. Only Kiara looked somewhat decent enough to walk in.
“Are you sure we’re at the right place?” I asked and Jaxon just smiled and got out of the car. I got out after him and watched as he helped the kids out. “This place is amazing and we’re not dressed for it.”
“I’m the king,” he said simply. “I’m never underdressed”
He led us towards the entrance and the guards in front of the restaurant bowed to us. I was moving on autopilot because my mind was fixated on the sheer grandeur of the restaurant. The walls were pure glass and it was at least three stories high. There was a crystal chandelier right above the entrance and as we walked in, my eyes widened to the point of saucers.
The walls were pure white and soft music played in the background. The waiters were dressed in pristine clothing and even the people were dressed up. Not a single hair in the entire restaurant was out of place and we walked in looking so casual. If I were alone. I would have turned on my heels and ran but I remembered what Jaxon said and I kept my head high
A well dressed man walked over to us. From the tag on his shirt, could see that he was the manager. He bowed low as he approached. “Your Majesty, would you like a table?”
“Yes, something private where I can eat with my family with no disturbances at all.”
The manager nodded. “We have the exact spot.”
The children were watching with wide eyes as we were led towards the elevator. It took us directly to the third floor which I realized had less people than the first floor. We were led to a booth overlooking the balcony. It was private and beautiful. It was just the perfect place and Jaxon thanked the man.
We were seated and a waiter came and took our orders almost immediately. The children were too wide eyed to order and it took three tries before they were able to voice what they wanted. While our meal was being prepared, another waitress brought some drinks and she was kind enough to bring fruit drinks for the children even though it was not on their menu.
You didn’t have to,” I mumbled to Jaxon. “We could have just gone home to eat something. I wouldn’t have minded.”
“We’ve all had very long days. Why wouldn’t I want to make like easy for all of us?”
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Chapter 82
Our food arrived relatively quickly and it was better than I could have imagined. I didn’t realize how hungry I was until 1 took a bite out of my pasta. One of the reasons I always hated restaurants was because of the pretense and the façade you had to put up but because of the privacy we had been granted, there was no need to. It felt exactly like a normal dinner at home would. Jaxon helped Kiara cut up her food and she filled the table with mindless chatter.
Kiara
A small smile graced my lips as I listened to her. In that moment, I realized just how blessed I was to be surrounded by the people that I was. Jaxon leaned across the table to squeeze my palm affectionately and in a moment of amusement, placed hers on top of ours. I saw Kieran hesitate for a split second before adding his own.
Jaxon went to settle the bill after when my phone started ringing I fished it out of my pocket and saw Aiden’s name flashing
up and 1 across the screen. I was confused because Aiden never called me not even if there was an emergency. I picked it had barely placed it by my ears when he spoke.
“Where is Jaxon?” he asked. “I have been trying his number but he isn’t answering and his wall is up so I can’t reach him via mind link.”
“He just went to handle the bill. We went out to eat. Is everything alright?”
“Your sister,” he began hesitantly and I waited to hear what he would say. I knew Violet and I knew what she was capable of but nothing prepared me for what he said next. “She set fire to an entire corn field. I’m trying to speak to the farmer now but he wants retribution.”
“We’re on our way.
As soon as Jaxon returned, I told him everything and he cursed as he ushered all of us quickly into the car. There was no time to take the kids home and return to the farm so we took them with us. I was tapping my knees anxiously because I didn’t know what to expect. When we got there, my mouth went wide and the food I had just eaten threatened to climb back up my throat.
The entire field was torched to a crisp and there was nothing but smoke and char as far as the eye could see. If Violet wanted to get my attention then she surely had it now. I still didn’t know what she wanted to achieve and what her plan was. Did she just want to put me on edge for the next few weeks until I gave out? Did she have a master plan or was she just making random decisions out of anger? What was her anger based on? Was it because of Noxian or was it because of her family?
“I need you both to stay in the car,” I said to the children and they nodded. “We will try to be back within half an hour. There are snacks if you want some and I’ll leave my phone so you can call if anything goes wrong, okay?”
Once I was sure that they were fine, I got out of the car with Jaxon. He held onto my hand in a warm and comforting grip as he led me towards the farmer who Aiden was speaking to. He was speaking rapidly and his hands were moving as he was speaking. I could see a piece of paper in Aiden’s hands and as soon as Aiden saw us, he handed it over to me.
I knew what it was before I opened it but I did so anyway. It was two words just like the others: Almost Time.
She was toying with me and we all knew it but I was tired of playing on her ball field. I was the one she wanted and I was willing to be that scapegoat for her as long as she left everyone else alone. Jaxon was speaking with the farmer who had calmed down considerably. I presumed they were talking about what could be salvaged and how they could pay for it again.
I turned to Aiden. “Where was this found?”
“It was p
”
spinned to the scarecrow. I have no idea how she got in and out undetected. She has to be fast and quiet.”
“She is, do you have a pen?” he was shocked by the quick change in subject but he reached into his pocket and handed me
one.
I turned the paper around and scribbled my own note for Violer I knew she would come back sooner or later to see her handiwork and when she did, I wanted her to find my note. I made my way over to the scarecrow which was the only thing lefi standing and I saw the pin she used to hold the note earlier. I pinned the new note to it and took a step back to admire it.
“What do you think?” I asked.
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12:47 Fri, May
Chapter 82
“Do you really think she will answer?” it was Jaxon who asked and I jumped because I didn’t even realize he had come back. “She has spent so long evading you. Are you sure she will call you?”
“She wants me to hear her and she wants to make sure she has my attention, this is letting her know she does. Violet won’t be able to resist the urge to tell me what I did wrong and what she wants from me. I have a feeling she will call.”
“What do you think she wants?” Aiden asked and this time I sighed.
“I wish I had the answer to that. It is never that casy with her. She probably wants me to suffer.”
“This feels more personal than that,” Aiden voiced my exact fear “I hope your plan works.”
He walked away after that leaving me alone with Jaxon and I sighed. “I hope so too.”
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