Her Three Kings {Volturi Kings}

Chapter Twenty-Six

"They don't trust her."

"She lied to them."

"They regret ever bringing her here."

Whisper after whisper made its way to Liliana's ears. And what made it worse was that the only people she'd discussed the situation with were her guard. So, they'd either betrayed her or the kings were talking. Besides, the 'facts' were totally skewed and blown out of proportion. Or maybe the kings were saying those things themselves. Lily didn't know what to think anymore.

She did know that her mates' theory that it was her affecting the bonds was absolutely incorrect. For one thing, she hadn't touched any of her bonds. She'd only blocked her feelings from flowing through them. It was the only way to keep people from knowing how they'd affected her. She wouldn't give them the satisfaction.

And now she had no one. Not really. She could no longer trust the guard with her secrets it seemed. And her mates couldn't discuss the situation without becoming angry. So, she remained alone. Sometimes surrounded by people, but still alone. She grew quiet and more withdrawn than before and her mates had no idea how to draw her out again. Everything had fallen apart quite spectacularly.

***

All of the kings were irritable and not only with their mate. The Volturi were avoiding them as much as possible lest they become the target. They weren't even spending much time in each other's company, preferring solitude in their own rooms. They'd taken to avoiding Liliana as well as it seemed they devolved into an argument every time they were around each other.

After another unsuccessful attempt to get Lily to lift the blocks, followed by the usual argument, Caius removed himself to his studio. He hadn't been painting much and thought perhaps the release would take the edge off his temper. He needed his mind to focus elsewhere. Literally, anywhere else.

While his mind did roam while he worked, it apparently didn't roam far enough. He stepped back from the painting and tilted his head with a chuckle. Of all the things he could have painted, he chose the bare back of his mate, her hair hanging down with her fingers buried in it. He licked his lips. Obviously, the lack of such a view in his life lately had only been contributing to his frustration. Gods, he missed his mate. This shit needed to stop. (Painting by Darren Baker)

Determined to speak with his brothers, Caius headed toward the door when something caught his eye. Lilliana's easel was draped. He frowned at the cloth hiding her work from him. She never covered her work. Never.

He stepped closer, grabbed the sheet and paused. Art was intensely personal and he hesitated to invade her privacy in such a manner. But they needed answers. They needed all the help they could get to return things back to the way they used to be. Decision made, he yanked the cloth away in one quick gesture.

A weight instantly settled in his belly. His gaze ran over the painting that was so unlike her usual work. He calculated how long it had been since Lily had stepped into the studio. How long she'd been feeling this way. That heavy feeling only got worse. Things were much worse than he'd thought.