Page 70 of Silent Secrets

“You deserve it, Hadley. You’ve worked really hard to learn everything that we’ve been teaching you.”

Flushing, I duck my head. I’m just not used to being praised and the three of them, not to mention Grace, have been doing it a lot lately. I don’t hate it—in fact, I kind of love it. If they continue to praise me, I’m sure that I’ll grow used to it. I’m just not there yet.

“Thank you.”

Turning back to my plate, I see that I’ve barely touched my food, even though I’m starving. It’s time to stop losing myself to my thoughts. I force myself to focus on my food, giving it the attention that it deserves. The palace cooks are amazing—I don’t think that I’ve ever eaten as well as I have since coming here.

“We should probably go check on Hunter.” Caiden sighs as he sits back in his chair.

I nod, sad that they’re leaving, but looking forward to my day all the same. Plus, I know I will see them later, and dressed up in finery at that. I don’t know if I’m more excited to see what they’ll look like, or for them to see me in the fucking amazing dress that we’d chosen for me to wear.

Caiden and Kai stand from their chairs while Marcos surprises me by pulling me into his lap. His lips are on mine before I can protest, and I find myself lost in his kiss as I often am.

“Okay, Romeo, the rest of us would like to say goodbye too.”

I know that I’m blushing when I pull away from Marcos to glance up at Caiden. He winks, smirking down at me before raising his eyebrows at Marcos when he continues to hold me in his lap. It’s still odd to receive affection from them around one another. It’s still so foreign of a thought that not only am I allowed to have more than one person in my life—but that’s required.

“Look, you can’t blame me for wanting to keep her here.”

Caiden says nothing, just grabs my hand and pulls me to my feet. His other hand lands on my cheek as he focuses his attention on me once more. “Enjoy yourself today, baby girl. I can’t wait to see you tonight.”

His lips brush across mine once, twice. It has me chasing his lips as he pulls away with a chuckle. “Later.”

I pout when he steps back, but then Kai is stepping up into his place.

“No pouting, angel,” he tells me as he pulls me into his arms.

“Fine.”

I lean against Kai’s chest as I lift onto my toes to kiss him. He hums against my lips before his tongue snakes out to brush against my lower lip. I open for him, allowing him to deepen the kiss—forgetting again that we’re not alone. What is it about these men that makes me completely forget my surroundings?

We break apart when Grace clears her throat. Adaline tries to hide her giggle behind her hand, but she isn’t especially successful. Glaring at her for a moment, I turn my attention back to the three men that I’m finding myself falling for.

“I guess I’ll see you all tonight.”

I watch them leave before collapsing back into my chair with a sigh.

“The four of you are sweet,” Adaline says with a grin.

“Thanks, I think.” I shrug, turning to Grace. “So, what now?”

“Now, I introduce you to the guards that will be with you and Adaline today. There will be others shadowing you, but you won’t see them—or at least you shouldn’t. That’s kind of the point. We don’t want everyone to know that you have more guards because then, if someone tries something, you’re better covered.”

I force a smile, hating that I will have people following me around, but if it’ll keep me safe, then how can I complain? There still have been no other threats made against me, though who knows what will happen after my powers reveal tonight?

Following Grace from the room, I link arms with Adaline and try to remind myself that I have better things to think about than what-ifs and maybes. After all, I’m going to spend the day with my best friend—my first real friend—being pampered. What could be better than that?

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