Page 20 of Chaos Tempted

“You’re one of the few in our kingdom that doesn’t see him as a desirable bachelor.”

I hum, thinking of his good looks and his bravery. “Well, I suppose he impressed me during Wynstelle’s rescue.”

“But you believe he only did it to impress Princess Wynstelle?”

I set the hand mirror down with a bit more force than necessary. “Or perhaps to impress my father.”

Sensing my bad mood, Nannette changes the subject and quickly asks, “Is the lucky man who made a welcomed appearance in your dreams someone I know?”

“It wasn’t any one person.” I fiddle with my nightgown, trying to speak honestly but cryptically. “It was… just a feeling. Of being loved… unconditionally.”

Nannette nods. “A rare thing.”

“Especially among royals,” I say, wishing, once again, that Wynstelle and I had never changed places.

King Nathaniel greets me on my approach to the breakfast table. Lord Jonathon and Lady Carissa haven’t made their morning appearance yet.

I shift uncomfortably as I sit back in my chair. My changeling mark is still irritated from the night before.

“Feeling better?” The king studies me.

I catch the suspicion in his eyes. Although he denies it, our relationship has grown tense after he finally met hisactualdaughter, Wynstelle. Perhaps his love for me vanished when faced with the truth of what I am—the imposter changeling.

“I was feeling out of sorts, but it has passed, Father.”

The king snaps his fingers, bringing the servants in the room to attention. “We would like to be alone for a few moments.”

After the room clears, he turns to me and hisses, “I know you don’t fall ill, so what is it? Has something happened to Wynstelle?”

“She’s fine.” I don’t look him in the eye. How can I explain I sensed his daughter’s lovemaking? It’s a violation of privacy during an intimate moment, and it’s hisdaughter’ssex life.

“Don’t lie tome,” he says disdainfully.

I shudder, feeling like I am walking on thin ice. “She is well. I swear it.”

“Show me.” King Nathaniel glances pointedly to my back.

Purposefully, I wore a low back gown with a light shawl to minimize the irritation to my skin. I suck in a breath and remove the shawl so he can see my mark.

“It’s changed,” he snarls. “Why does it seem to… glow?”

“I believe she has mate bonded with the prince.” My face flushes pink. “I sensed it, somehow.”

“This link between you is more than you originally led me to believe. You were able to locate Wynstelle when she was taken. And now you sense her mate bond? This is more of a connection than I thought possible. What else are you keeping from me?”

I don’t answer, keeping my eyes cast to the floor.

“Answer me!” His anger is palpable, and I wonder if all his affection for me has vanished. It feels as if the whole room shakes with his command.

I’m rattled, never having seen him like this before. I squeak out an answer, “I just have a sense of her… oftheirbond.”

“You can sense Prince Eldrin?” Nathaniel glares at me. “Can Wynstelle sense you in the same way?”

I shake my head. “I don’t know. I think the bond intensified when I healed her. She didn’t mention she has ever sensed me, but I doubt her sensibilities are the same as mine.”

“Because she is ameremortal,” he says with a sneer.

“Why are you angry at me?” My lip quivers, and my eyes fill with tears.

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