Page 50 of Impossible Heir for the King

Her freedom? She stood very still as a horrible feeling opened up within her. ‘Don’t tell me you’re doing this in my best interests...’

‘But this is exactly what’s best, Maia.’

‘Not if I get nochoice,’ she argued.

‘Well, you don’t. Not immediately,’ he said grimly. ‘Initially I need to be sure you’re safe. We have a home there that is already serviceable.’

Serviceable. ‘And then? What’s the long-term plan, Niko?’

‘It’s best if you go right away.’ He didn’t answer her actual question. ‘I think it will be easier for you to adjust to the change in our relationship.’

She stared, bereft of speech as the horror of the situation grew. ‘The...’ Fear whispered out. ‘You don’t want me at all anymore?’

‘It’s not helping either of us,’ he said grimly.

Helping?She couldn’t even echo the madness.

Was it normal to have the best night of your life and then have it fall apart? How had she felt something so vastly different to him? How could they be so completely opposite in their assessment of that experience? Was she this naive? This inexperienced in relationships?

‘I know you’re upset,’ he gritted. ‘But—’

‘Yes. I am. Shall we blame it on pregnancy hormones?’ she interrupted, her mouth running off before her brain could stop it. ‘Or say it’s because I’m inexperienced? But they’re both just excuses to dismiss myfeelingsbecause you’re uncomfortable with the fact that you’ve just hurt me.’ She blinked rapidly. ‘Because youhave, Niko.’

She hated that acidic tears were so close. She never cried. But even though she swallowed she couldn’t stop the rising emotion. ‘You broke your promise.’

‘Which is why it’s better to do this now before it gets worse.’

‘It?’She stared at him, humiliated, and yet defiance surged. She would not apologise for havingfeelings. ‘You mean how Ifeelabout you?’

He glanced away. Apparently looking at her was now too awkward. ‘You’re confused, Maia.’

Oh, wow. Was he really going to dismiss what she felt and thought and experienced? Did he really think he ‘knew better’?

‘Then clarify this for me, Niko,’ she invited coldly. ‘Explain all. Why am I being sent away and how long for?’

‘I think we need time and space apart. This is too much for you to have to make decisions on right now.’

She paused. So this was coming from a place of protectiveness? She narrowed her gaze. ‘Why the sudden switch when less than an hour ago you were chomping at the bit to announce our engagement?’

‘I’ve had a chance to think more clearly.’

He’d had time away from her. And he was worried about the decisions she’d tried to make—her determination that she wouldnotmarry him. That had truly bothered him—why? Did he want her to change her mind? Hope—almost destroyed—suddenly fluttered again.

She stood and walked towards him. ‘Did last night mean anything for you?’ she asked and took all her courage in her hands. ‘Because it meant something to me, Niko. And I don’t want to go away. I want to stay here with you. We can work this out—’

‘No.’ He stomped on that flicker of hope. ‘This isn’t right. It’s asking too much of you, Maia.’

Why had he suddenly leapt to that conclusion?

‘You think you’re the only one capable of handling hard things? I’m just as strong as you. If not stronger.’ She gazed at him, trying to understand what he was thinking. ‘And I’m not your mother, Niko. I’m tough. I’ve survived so much more than you’ll ever really know.’

‘Yeah, and you shouldn’t have to survive more. You should just have—’ He broke off. ‘Whatever you want.’

‘Then why notaskme what I want instead of making some unilateral decision? Instead of assuming that you know everything? Why not listen to what I’m telling you. I want—’

‘Youcan’tknow what you want!’ he fired back in frustration. ‘You’ve never had the chance to even understand all your options.’

She sucked in a breath. ‘So no matter what I say, you won’t believe that I mightwantto stay with you?’

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