Chapter 39 " Once the binding vow array is activated , not even Magnus can break it , " Kieran said . " He wants you to live well with Lucius and stop trying to break the array through devious tricks . " Valerie couldn't resist a sharp laugh of exasperation . " That cunning old fox cries foul play while being the biggest cheat of them all . He calls me out for using crooked tricks , but what was he thinking when he set up the binding vow in the first place ? " Chuckling , Kieran tried to soothe her by saying , " Magnus only wants what's best for you . We're all mystic masters , so you know your astrological houses better than anyone . " Whether or not you see Lucius as the right match , Magnus believes that you're suited for each other , so you must be . " Her temper flared . " What if I insist on breaking it ? " " Like I said , no one can undo a binding vow . " " Magnus ' heartblood is the key , " she said coldly . Kieran gave her a sidelong glance and shot back , " Would you really do that ? He's your dad- the only man who ever exists to love you the most . " Valerie fell silent . As much as she complained , she knew she could never truly hurt Magnus . He was her only family . " I know what happened a year ago left you scarred , but the dead are gone . Those who live must learn to move forward . It's time to let go , Val . " " I can't ! " A flicker of killing intent flashed in her eyes . He reached out like an older brother , ruffling her hair . " Still the same fiery kid I know . " She slapped his hand away and demanded , " Pull over . I'm getting out . " But he kept driving and said , " I've got a gathering lined up . Come along , and I'll introduce you to a few people . " " Not interested . " She frowned like she resisted the thought greatly . " Connections are everything if you want to survive in Windmere . " To Valerie's surprise , Kieran brought her to The Golden Chalice , where she'd once set foot . It seemed that even though Windmere was huge , its elite circles were small . When they entered , Lucius unsurprisingly sat at the center of attention . At his side was Sonia , Valerie's half - sister . Chapter 39 2/2 From where Valerie stood , they looked every bit like a couple deeply in love . Sonia seemed surprised to see Valerie here . It had been just some time since Valerie had smashed up Lucius ' hotel , and she wondered how Valerie dared to walk in here boldly . Wasn't the latter afraid that Lucius would kill her on the spot? Lucius was equally surprised . This morning , he'd woken up cuddling Valerie in bed , but now , they stood across the room like strangers . The gathering was arranged by Noah , who'd wanted to introduce Kieran . Yet , somehow , Valerie had shown up here with the latter . It got Lucius wondering how the two of them even knew each other and what their relationship was . Though his expression remained neutral , a turbulent turmoil had long stirred up in his mind . Valerie met his intense gaze briefly , then calmly looked away . They had an agreement that they were strangers outside of Azure Bay . Kieran leaned in close and whispered teasingly in her ear , " Don't you think this is fate ? " " I'll remember this , " she said , glaring at him . She didn't believe for a second he hadn't known who they were meeting . " Such a grudge - holder , " he groaned . Their voices were too low for anyone else to catch , but the sight of their intimate posture and heads nearly touching was burned in Lucius ' eyes . Chapter 40