Page 57 of Fae King's Secret Baby

She nodded and hung her head. “I’m going to leave here and stay with Tristiana until I can find my own place,” she told me quietly.

My gut flipped, and my earlier irritation faded away at the thought of losing her. The realization struck me with such force that I felt a sharp pang in my chest, as if someone had physically reached in and squeezed my heart.

The thought of her no longer being a part of my life left me feeling unexpectedly vulnerable and exposed, a sensation I wasn't prepared for.

But I would never beg for anyone to be with me. So, if she wanted to leave, I had to let her go. Fighting her would only lead to hurt.

First she left the castle, now this? She’s trying to pull away from me. She’s trying to leave, just like anyone I’ve ever cared about. She can’t care that Jergin is dead. That cretin should have been taken out ages ago. This is just her excuse to run.

I inhaled and steeled my emotions. “That’s not necessary. You can stay here. It’s not being used.”

She shook her head. “It’s not a good idea.”

“I won’t come around,” I insisted. “And we’ll have the locks changed tonight.”

Whether or not she wanted to leave, I still had a duty to protect her. Maren cast me a sidelong look, filled with doubt.

“Why would you do that?” she asked suspiciously. “I can’t afford the rent here. It’s too much.”

“You’ll pay a subsidized cost—we’ll work out the details later. I can’t stay. I have matters to attend to in the kingdom tonight.” I spun around and reached for the doorknob, but hesitated. “But don’t go. I swear a King’s Oath, I won’t come around uninvited, and the locks will be changed immediately.”

With that, I left the condo and did my best not to lose my cool until I sank into the elevator, trembling all over.

That morning, my life had been perfect. Now, it was all going to hell in a handbasket.

Chapter 17

Maren

Inever knew time could drag on so slowly.

The next month without Nyx was the longest, most tedious time of my life.

He remained true to his word, keeping his distance, including calling and texting. A million times, I wanted to pick up the phone and ask him why he’d done it, what had inspired him to go after Jergin the way he had.

Drakias remained stationed outside my door, and I wanted to tell him to go home, but it was clear the Royal Guard would not take orders from me.

Tristiana commented on his presence when she came for a visit one day when we were both off.

“I thought you weren’t seeing the king anymore,” she said, eying the stoic security as she stepped over the threshold of the condo.

I gritted my teeth, unable to explain why Nyx insisted on keeping Drakias on my trail.

“I’m not,” I replied, quickly closing the door, lest Drakias go and report our conversation back.

“Then how are you still living here? And that bodyguard that follows you everywhere is a Royal Guard.”

“It’s complicated,” I sighed, ushering her into the living room and sitting her on the velvet sofa.

Tristiana looked around, impressed by the condo. This was her first visit to my new home, and she released a low whistle. “How can you afford this place, Mare?”

Another hot blush tinged my cheeks, and I sank into an armchair, facing her.

“I’m paying a discounted rate,” I admitted. “Nyx has been very good to me.”

My friend settled back and peered at me. “Then why aren’t you still together?”

Nervously, I stood again, ambling toward the kitchen. This was the conversation I’d been dreading, but I couldn’t tell Tristiana that I knew the king had killed our former boss. Even if Nyx and I weren’t together, my loyalty was always to him.

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