Page 116 of A Court Bright and Broken

“My father is coming,” he hissed.

“How did he get in?” I whispered back.

When Pharis had paid an unexpected visit to Stellon’s chambers, he’d pounded on the door, demanding entry. It was hard to believe Stellon had forgotten to lock the suite’s exterior door behind him when he came home tonight.

“The king has the key to every room in the palace,” he explained. “Quickly now—we have to hide you.”

Chapter 30

Dirty Little Secret

Raewyn

In one smooth move, Stellon slid from the bed to the floor, taking me with him. We didn’t even make a thud somehow as we landed side-by-side.

“Are you all right?” he whispered. “Did I hurt your ankle?”

In truth it hadn’t feltgood, but I shook my head no.

“Lie down,” he instructed. “I’m going to push you underneath the bed. Do not come out until I say it’s safe—and don’t make asound.”

The tone of his voice and the look on his face told me it was of life and death importance that I follow his advice. I nodded rapidly and lay flat as he shoved me beneath the bed.

The dress I’d been wearing, the one I’d dropped at the bedside earlier, followed before he let the dust ruffle fall into place, cutting off my view of the room.

No sooner had Stellon resumed his position atop the bed than the bedroom door opened.

The King’s voice was a bellow now without the buffer of a closed door.

“Stellon? Where the blazes are you, boy?”

The footsteps came to a stop.

“What are you doing in bed at this hour?” the king asked. “Alone? Why did you leave the party so early?”

“I was tired. I haven’t been sleeping well since Lady Wyn’s disappearance,” Stellon said.

His voice was surprisingly steady as he lied to his father. He even sounded relaxed, as if he’d been asleep moments ago instead of busy sending my pulse rate soaring through the high ceiling.

The footsteps resumed, coming closer to the bed then walking around it, as if the king was surveying the room. Did he suspect something?

It was hard to stay still with my nerves popping and firing the way they were.

“Well that was a mistake from beginning to end. I still don’t know what came over you that night,” the King said.

After a long pause during which I heard the man take a few more steps, he said, “I thought you might be in here with a woman. People said you were paying some extra attention to Lady Silla of Ratchford at the social tonight.”

“No, I’m alone,” Stellon said, then he added, “at the moment.”

The king let out a hearty laugh. “I remember what it was like to be your age, waiting for the bonding—not easy, especially as you get older and the drive increases each year.”

He took a few more steps toward the bed, and I had to stifle a gasp as the toes of his shiny black boots intruded under the dust ruffle.

“I understand you’re champing at the bit, son,” he said. “But remember to be careful. It’s easy to get carried away, and any of these ladies you’re taking for a casual romp could end up as your permanent bond-mate if you go too far.”

“I’m aware,” Stellon said, sounding surly.

“I’m just making sure. In fact, it would be better to refrain fromsamplingthe candidates altogether if you can help it. Stick to the human concubines. They’re less tempting, and you eliminate the chance of causing misunderstandings and hard feelings among our potential allies as you come to your decision.”

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