Bride of the Emperor (The Prophecy of Sisters Book 4) by Hayley Faiman (the gingerbread man read aloud txt) 📗

Chad, not even a twinge of heartbreak. A year ago, I would have burst into tears at the sight of him, my body would have ached, my heart would have broken into shards, but nothing happens when I look at him anymore, not since Tiberius. I just don’t want to be around him.

“You know that I’m the best here, especially for this circumstance,” he says.

I’d forgotten his extreme amount of ego. What a dick. Although he does come by his ego naturally, and honestly, he’s good… at a lot of things. I could make a list, but I never would. His head already fills the room.

“What happens now?” I ask.

“Do you have anyone that can stay with you?”

I think about my sisters. I think about Tiberius, and I realize they are all in another world and other than my parents who are across the country, I have nobody.

“I don’t. Doesn’t matter,” I say, shrugging a shoulder.

Chad takes a step closer to me, his eyes softening even more, so much so that pity crosses his face.

Gross.

“Dru, you know I am here to help you,” he rasps, his voice going deeper and huskier.

This is his sex voice and I can’t believe he’s seriously doing this with me admitted. There is something wrong with me and he’s using the sex voice.

Double gross.

“I am married, Chad,” I blurt out.

He blinks. Then his lips curve up into a grin. “Your last name hasn’t changed, you don’t have to lie.”

“I’m not lying. It just happened.”

“I don’t see him anywhere?”

Pressing my lips together, I tell him a half-truth. “He lives in another country. I had to come back for work, he stayed and I am going to move there soon. I just have to tie up all my loose ends here.”

“Just get some rest, we’ll talk more later. I’m here all night.”

“There’s no later, Chad. I’m married and there is nothing to talk about other than medically.”

He watches me for a moment, but I can tell that my words have not registered with him. Egotistical bastard that he is. He just smiles and dips his chin, then walks away from me and out of the room.

I let out a breath of relief, a sigh that he’s finally gone. Reaching for my phone that is on the small rolling table next to the bed, I’m glad that one of my neighbors was thoughtful enough to make sure it came with me.

Deciding that I have no way to avoid it, I call my mother.

“Darling, I had a dream you were with a handsome warrior. Why are you calling me?” she says as her greeting.

“I was, you were right, Mom.”

“About?” she asks in a singsong voice.

There is a moment of silence, mainly because I don’t want to tell her, but then I know that she is the only person who will not only help me, but will believe me too.

So, once I start to talk, I easily spill everything.

I tell her the entire story, not even omitting all of the fantastic sex I had with my man. My mom is free and open with all things, she always has been. It was super embarrassing when we were younger, but right now, I’m thankful for it.

“And he didn’t speak English at all?” she breathes.

“Not a single word, and I don’t know what he spoke. It sounded a little like Italian, but not quite. It was sexy, but I understood absolutely nothing.”

She doesn’t speak immediately, no doubt letting it all soak in. “You must get back to him, Dru.”

“I know,” I whisper. “But, I don’t know how.”

“You have magic, can’t you conjure up some spell?” she snaps.

I almost laugh, but if I do, then I’ll certainly start crying all at the same time. I miss him. I have magic, but I don’t know how to use it and all I want to do is go home, but then hearing my mom’s voice and talking to her, I kind of want to stay too.

I am so lost.

Chapter Eighteen

TIBERIUS

If it wasn’t for Marcellus, I would be lost. My frater is indeed my right-hand man in most of my emperor’s duties. He also is the man in charge of finding someone to help me bring Drucilla home.

Therefore, when he rushes onto the practice field, calling my name. I stop and turn to face him, dropping my gladius immediately. He is out of breath as he arrives in front of me, inhaling deeply, then letting go on a sigh.

“Talk to me,” I demand.

He shifts his gaze behind me, but doesn’t speak. Brutus arrives at my side, far too curious for his own good, but I do not mind it so much. He is a good man to have an ear as well and give his advice and opinion.

“I have found someone. The maga,” he announces.

“Explain,” I demand.

He clears his throat and begins to tell me about a woman that is rumored to be the most powerful witch in all of Savona, she is called the maga.

“Is she here?” I ask.

He shakes his head slowly. “I have sent for her, but I do not know if she will come willingly. She has been in hiding, afraid that she would be banished to Curia with the others.”

“Promise her no such thing would happen under my rule,” I growl.

Thinking of the venefica and Curia angers me instantly. My blood boils and I wonder if the men are too tired to spar some more, as I have a newfound energy. Waiting for Marcellus to reply, I catch a glance of Decima walking around the grounds alone. She stops, her gaze catches mine, and she smiles.

I cannot stand her. Nothing about her do I like. Both times I have lain with her has been nothing but deception and magi. I will never make her my empress, she will never birth my child. I will not allow it.

“Perhaps if you went to speak to her?” Marcellus asks.

Flicking my gaze from the venefica, I arch a brow as I look at