Page 33 of Silent Secrets

“Absolutely not.” His answer is instant and sure, making me feel better.

I nod slowly. “I’m going to be honest. Knowing about needing to get married makes it harder to trust this and what happened last night.”

“That’s smart. There will be many people who will want to take advantage of your position. So here’s what I’ll do. I promise that I won’t kiss you again until you ask me to. I don’t want to pressure you. I want to give you time to wrap your head around everything. So until you ask me to kiss you, we’ll be friends.”

“Yeah?”

Grinning when he nods, I feel lighter. I think that he’s being genuine with me, that he wants me for me and not for my crown, but I can’t be sure. I really need to think about it and decide if it’s worth the risk—if he is worth it. If any of them are worth it. But will it make a difference? Won’t I always question anyone’s interest in me?

I force it away, telling myself that it’s something I can think about later. It’s not something I can answer without thinking about it. Like Caiden said, I need time.

“Thank you, Caiden.”

He nods, his hands finally falling from my face, but he doesn’t relinquish his hold on my body. “As far as the other thing, since the death of the major court royal lines, they have beefed security up. No one is getting into the palace that shouldn’t, so you’re safe. And I’ll do everything that I can to make sure that it remains that way.”

I’m sure that he means for his words to comfort me, but all I can think is what if the person who killed my family regularly had access to the palace? What if they were allowed in the palace? What then? The new safety precautions, whatever they are, wouldn’t stop the person if they’re already allowed inside.

I nod as I climb off Caiden finally, missing his warmth already. He might be right and he might be wrong. What I do know is that I don’t feel fully safe here and I don’t know what will make me feel that way.

“Thank you, Caiden. For everything. But we should probably get started, because I heard all lessons are canceled tomorrow so I can learn how to dance properly for my birthday.”

Caiden winces. “Yeah, don’t remind me.”

We laugh together as we settle in chairs side by side instead of across from one another as we usually sit. And if we happen to touch more than usual, who can blame us? It’s not like it’s on purpose or anything. Let’s just hope that I can remember what he’s trying to teach me today.

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