Ismael had told me when Papa had begun his suspicion and threatened him upon knowing that Airene was his mate.

It was how I handled Valerian during the dinner with the Porter family and how he could still move despite his injuries unless I was internally treating his wounds.

"If only you did not heal his wounds by that time, he wouldn't suspect a thing of you, Dominixe," Ismael said as we returned to our hometown. "Valerian wouldn't have almost to kill the eldest son of the House of Porter."

I pinched the bridge of my nose, succumbing to my turmoil of emotions. I was being careless. Ismael meant that...