Page 141 of The Broken Aztec Princesses

“You’re not mad, are you?” Elim asked.

“I—No. But you guys shouldn’t play with people’s emotions that way.” That could have turned out so bad.

‘I’m glad they did. I had already decided to talk to you, but if I’d lost you because of it, I don’t know how I would have gotten over it.’The kiss on my head that punctuated his mind-link was sweet, and I blinked back the tears.

“But it worked, and that’s what matters.” Bells shrugged.

“You’re lucky it did. If it didn’t, I would have made you eat liver.”

“Gross, Vi. Why are we going to extremes?” I crossed my arms and raised an eyebrow, and Bells finally laughed. “Alright, I got it. No more making people feel bad so they see reason, and stop breaking my sister’s heart. I’d just like it known that I didn’t violate the gag order. Not really.”

“Good, otherwise girls’ night would get very quiet,” I chuckled.

“Well, who was winning?” Cade asked.

“Too early to tell,” Elim chuckled. “But, I couldn’t beat him last time.”

“Well, let’s see, then.”

Chris stood and removed his shirt again, while Elim bounced on the heels of his feet excitedly.

“Well, I see the appeal, Violet,” Bells whispered beside me, making me grin as we watched Chris’ muscles flex as he stretched again.

“Really, Princess?” Cade’s indignant voice was barely above a whisper.

“What? I’m just saying, I get it.” Bells giggled.

Cade grumbled something beside us, making Bells giggle more. I liked her like this. Unburdened and happy.

We watched the fight for a while, and I felt proud of how impressed Bells and Cade looked at how Chris was fighting. After the fight, we went upstairs to change and get ready for breakfast.

“You’ve been eating dinner in the dining room every night, right?” Chris asked when we made it back to our room.

“Yep.”

“How come you don’t eat breakfast or lunch there?”

“Cade and Bells are still keeping their relationship quiet. Breakfast and lunch are the only times they can be open about it outside of their bedrooms.”

“Must be rough.”

I nodded.

“That’s why I agreed to keep doing it.”

I fed Coco and cleaned her cage, then sat on the bed to give her some pets while he went to shower and change.

I was getting attached to this little thing. Over the last two weeks, when I felt really alone, she became a lot more friendly, letting me hold her and taking food from my hand. She was friendly enough to feel comfortable letting her near Adam, who was now absolutely obsessed with her. He came here after daycare to play with her; she hasn’t bitten or scratched him so far.

“Are you thinking of keeping her?” he asked from the door. His hair was still wet, and he was leaning against the doorway.

“No. She’s a wild rabbit. She deserves to have her freedom back. I just want to ensure that thing is caught before I release her.”

“Yeah. I think it’s eaten almost all the wildlife in there already. Last time I was in the woods, I couldn’t hear anything moving.”

I shuddered and put the rabbit back in her cage. I was trying to let her out every so often and roam the room so she wouldn’t feel so cooped up. I knew that feeling all too well.

“Ready to head down?” he asked.

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