Page 69 of Silent Secrets

“And how am I being spoiled?” I ask her as I pull away.

The guys follow us out of the room and we all settle around the table in my new suite as Grace explains my day to me. Massages, facials, manicures, and pedicures. It really sounds like I will spend the day being pampered, and I can’t say that I hate the idea. Now, if only I could leave the damn palace for a bit, then this day would be perfect.

Adaline sits on my other side and as soon as Grace finishes, I turn to her. “Will you join me for my pampering?”

“Me?” Adaline seems surprised that I would want her with me and I hate that. We’re friends, and it doesn’t matter that she technically works for me—or will once I’m crowned—I want her to be able to enjoy a day of pampering just as much as I will.

“That’s fine, isn’t it, Grace?”

Grace hesitates for a moment before nodding. “Of course, Hadley. If that’s what you want, I’ll make sure that someone else takes care of Adaline’s job for the day.”

“Thank you, Hadley,” Adaline says quickly, ducking her head. Glancing at the empty chair beside Caiden, she turns back to Grace. “Is Hunter not joining us?”

Grace shakes her head. “He said he had some things to take care of and wouldn’t be able to join us.”

I scoff at her words, mumbling to myself, “Coward.”

“What was that?”

I shake my head at Grace’s question. I don’t want to explain to her about the other night and the blowup between myself and Hunter. “Nothing.”

I haven’t seen him since that night. He’d canceled my lessons yesterday without an explanation, but I know that it’s because he’s afraid to face me after his last fuck up. I can’t believe that I’d almost allowed myself to soften toward him after he’d told me about Yana.

“That’s odd.” Marcos frowns, glancing at the guys and me before turning back to Grace. “He didn’t tell me he had anything going on today.”

“I’m not his secretary. I didn’t ask for any more information.”

I roll my eyes, biting my tongue to keep my mouth shut. I also hadn’t told the guys about my run in with Hunter and from the looks of things, he didn’t tell them either. Which is fine. If he doesn’t want to tell his friends about what an asshole he was, I don’t think I need to. They’ve seen how he treats me on enough occasions that I don’t need to explain how I’d fallen for his trick hook, line, and sinker. At least at first.

My temper flares at the reminder of that night and I squeeze my eyes shut as I force down the anger. I won’t let him ruin my day. Sure, I’ll have to see him tonight, but until then, I don’t need to waste my time thinking about him. He’s not worth it.

“So, are you guys excited about tonight?”

Marcos shrugs. “I’m excited for you, kitten, but we’ve been to enough of these parties that we already know how they’ll go.”

“I’m looking forward to seeing you all dolled up,” Caiden adds.

I snort. I love that Caiden can always cheer me up. They’d once told me that Marcos is the flirt, but I swear Caiden takes every opportunity to hit on me. Not that I’m complaining.

“So, will this pampering be happening in my suite, as usual?”

Grace grins as she shakes her head. “Since it’s your birthday, I thought you might want to get out of the palace. Being stuck inside since you arrived hasn’t been easy, and I know that. You’ll have to take guards, but seeing the city will be good for you. After tonight, your people will need to get used to seeing you out and about, and I’m sure that getting out will make you happy.”

“Are you serious?”

A happy squeal spills from my lips and another time it might embarrass me, but I’m too excited. Besides my trips to the gardens, I haven’t been outside of the palace walls since I arrived two weeks ago. I’ve never even seen the city. What was it called again? Oh, right—Cion City. See, I’d been paying attention to what my men had been teaching me.

My cheeks flush as I smile at that thought. That’s what the three of them were now—my men. Nothing was official yet, but they were mine. I knew it, and they knew it. Soon, everyone else would know it too.

Grace nods and I lose myself to my thoughts about what the city will be like, mostly ignoring the conversation going on around me. It’s hard to believe that the only thing I’ve seen of the realm that I’m meant to rule is the palace and its surrounding gardens. But that will all change today.

“What are you grinning about?”

I turn to Marcos as he pulls me from my thoughts. I hadn’t even realized that I was still smiling. Snorting, I shake my head. I guess I’m more excited than I thought.

“Just thinking about my spa day.”

It’s not a total lie. Yes, I’d been thinking about the three of them and about how I’ll soon rule over Sorlphi. About how I’m where I’m supposed to be. But none of that is important right now. I really am excited to leave the palace behind for even a short time.

---