Chapter 42 

~Valeria ~ “What do you mean?” I ask, my voice flat. “We can’t reveal who you are to me,” he says. “Yeah, I got that! But why?” “Because you’re my mate. That makes you a target. Just like my mother. I won’t risk you—not now, not when I finally have you. They’re after me, but they could hurt you to get to me.” “That won’t happen.” “You don’t know that. And I’m not risking it.” “Fine. But tell me, genius—how do you think we’re hiding this? Almost everyone will smell the change in our scents.” He leans over me, reaching for the nightstand. His fingers close around a small vial resting there, its glass catching the dim light. “This.” He whirls it around. “What is this?” “A concoction my mother used when she and my father were first mated. To protect her from enemies, just like I’m trying to do with you. My father didn’t have to take it since he was mated to two others, and so his scent was already mixed. Mine isn’t, so I’ll have to take it with you.” “Well, at least if I die poisoned, I wo