Page 43 of Fae King's Secret Baby

An image of the two maids in the foyer flashed into my head. They had been acting so suspect. Had they said something, done something? The thought of losing her tightened my chest and made it difficult to breathe.

She raised her head and exhaled again. “I just don’t belong here, Nyx, and I think I should go back to Maximo’s. I had a whole life before, and I gave it all up to come here. I had my doubts, and I should have listened to them.”

My jaw tightened, not liking the implication. “I never made you do that.”

“No, you didn’t,” she agreed quickly. “But I did, and now I wish I hadn’t. I shouldn’t be sitting here doing nothing.”

“You can work on your jewelry. Isn’t that what you said you wanted to do?”

“I can’t do ithere.” Her tone was firm, decided.

She had thought about this, and I couldn’t change her mind on the matter.

I was quiet for a long moment, my chest hardening as I studied her twisted face. She was struggling here. “Where is this coming from? You’ve seemed so happy when we’re together. I thought we managed to overcome whatever anyone was saying.”

Her hand rose to touch my face, and I captured her fingers in mine. “It was always there, I guess, but I was floating in this bubble you created around us. When you’re not here, it becomes more obvious.”

“Then I’ll stay here!”

She smiled sadly. “I need to go. I can’t live here. I was a fool to think I could give up my freedom.”

Frustration mounted inside me, sparks of abandonment bursting through me. I thought I’d found a partner in Maren, possibly even a future queen. But if she was refusing to live in the castle…

“Maybe I can get my old apartment back—” she began, and I cut her off this time.

My indignant anger took second place over my need to protect her. “The hell you will go back to that place. No. I have buildings in the city. I’ll set you up in one of them.”

She seemed surprised. “You own buildings, too?” she asked.

“I’m the Alpha King of Steelshire. Of course I own properties around the kingdom,” I replied shortly, my sense of humor diminished. I removed her hand from my face and stood, turning away from her. “So are we done? You and me?”

“I hope not,” she breathed. I turned back to her, and her head tilted toward me imploringly. “This doesn’t change the way I feel about you.”

How does she feel about me?

She stared at me, willing me to say something, but I didn’t know what else to say.

“I’ll have someone take care of the accommodations in the morning,” I grumbled, reaching for her hand.

She rose gracefully off the sofa and wrapped her arms around me.

“This was bound to happen,” she whispered, her voice catching. “As much as I wish it hadn’t.”

“It doesn’t have to be this way,” I insisted. “If you’d just tell me what happened.”

“It’s irrelevant,” she mumbled, burying her face in my chest, but I didn’t think it was.

Prodding her would get me nowhere; she was too strong-willed. But I would not let this matter go. Whoever had scared her off would pay for their infractions.

My hands reached up to stroke her hair. “We’ll make this work,” I vowed. “Even if you’re not under my roof.”

“I know,” she sniffled. “I’m sorry.”

I wanted to tell her I was sorry, too, sorry that I hadn’t protected her like I’d promised, even if it was from cruel words. But the words stuck to the roof of my mouth, and I held her tighter.

“Are you angry with me?” Maren asked hoarsely, and I shook my head.

“No, Little Muse,” I answered honestly. “I could never be angry with you.”

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