Page 22 of Silent Secrets

I gesture between the two of them. “Are you guys together, then?”

“No, there’s no commingling between courts, Hadley,” Hunter bites out and when I turn to face him, I see him glaring at Caiden. There is no doubt in my mind that not only does Hunter not like me, but that he doesn’t want to trust me. It makes me wonder if he isn’t the one who put Caiden up to trying to get me to leave this morning.

“Of course not, I knew that. It was a silly thing for me to forget. I’m sorry.” I turn my attention back to Caiden and Kai. “But I don’t care if you’re interested in men, women, or both. I believe we should love who we want to love. I’m pansexual myself.”

Caiden grins. “A woman after my own heart, though I identify as bisexual.”

I glance at Kai, but he keeps his eyes on his food as he continues to eat. I shrug because I don’t need him to explain his sexuality to me. It’s his business, not mine, and it’s something very personal. Not everyone wants to share, like Caiden or I do, and that’s okay.

I go back to my own meal and the rest of the guys follow suit. It’s quiet as we all eat, but I don’t feel uncomfortable—which once again makes me uncomfortable. I have no reason to trust these men and shouldn’t feel comfortable around them.

We remain silent as we finish, and as I push my plate away, I find Marcos’s eyes on me once more. I raise my eyebrows at him. “Yes?”

He shrugs. “I was just wondering what your plans were for the rest of the night. I thought that you might want to come hang out and have a drink with us.”

Hunter hisses beside him and when I turn my attention to him, I find a sneer on his face. It’s very obvious that he has no desire for me to hang out with them and that’s enough to have me shaking my head.

“I have to finish that book that Caiden gave me and then I want to get a good night’s sleep to make up for last night.” Standing without waiting for a response, I give them a small nod. “I’ll see you all tomorrow.”

I turn tail and hurry from the room before any of them can pull me back into conversation or before Marcos can convince me that I should get that drink with them. Rushing through the halls, I don’t even think about where I’m going, but I’m surprised when I find myself outside of my rooms.

It’s interesting to me that I’ve only gotten turned around the one time in the palace. With how enormous this place is, I should’ve gotten lost a lot more. I shake my head, realizing that it doesn’t matter.

Pushing into my room, I pick up the book that Caiden had given me and my notebook before heading into the bedroom. I change into some nightclothes before settling onto the plush couch at the end of the bed and quickly lose myself in the words.

I jump and almost throw the book across the room when a knock sounds on the door to the sitting room. I set down the book with a frown, wondering who it could be. Maybe it’s Grace?

But when I open the door, I find Adaline standing there with a small smile. “Hello, Miss…” she shakes her head. “Hadley.”

“Hi, Adaline. What can I do for you?”

“I thought you might want a cup of tea before bed? And maybe someone to talk to?” Adaline ducks her head. “I’m sure that you’re feeling a little overwhelmed after today.”

I smile as I nod, finally noticing the cart beside her. “I would really like that. Thank you.”

Adaline prepares the cup of tea for me before settling onto the couch beside me, listening as I talk about the day. Besides my mom, I’ve never really had anyone to talk to about my day or issues I’ve been having. It’s kind of nice. I think that Adaline and I could be real friends, which surprises me.

When she excuses herself, I return to my book until I can no longer keep my eyes open. I set the book to the side once more and climb into bed. I’m asleep almost before my head hits the pillow.

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