Page 13 of His Forever Princess

One of his hands gripped the blanket, just in front of her midsection. She covered his icy hand with both of hers, settling there. Trying to share her warmth with him.

He didn't move, didn't speak for long minutes. He shifted slightly, and only then did she realize she'd relaxed against him.

"I'm sorry," he whispered into her hair. His teeth were still chattering, his words slightly slurred.

"You should be," she whispered back. "I didn't think you were coming back."

Just the thought of it now set a spiral of anxiety loose in her stomach.

"I lost your trust." His words slurred. "I saw it happening, and I couldn't stop it."

She tried to turn her head to see him, but his arm was heavy, trapping her where she was. Was he talking about today? It sounded as if he was having a whole other conversation.

"Gideon—"

"I tried to find Maggie, but I couldn't."

A shudder shook him.

Maggie? Find Maggie? Was he talking about the kidnapping?

Those had been dark days. Alessandra had been so worried about the twins, and she'd taken out her fear and anger on Gideon, even though he didn't deserve it.

"Maggie is fine," she whispered. "She's at the safe house with Luc. Tirith and Bea are safe too."

He rolled his head, the movement anxious. "I should've found her. I should've been the one."

Did he really believe that? The palace had invoked emergency help from every agency available to them. The police, the palace guard, international law enforcement, private investigators.

A local Glorvaird policeman had found Maggie at last.

"You did everything you could," she whispered.

It was my fault.

Those words she kept inside. Maggie and Tirith had been at an event Alessandra had planned. The palace security team had made mistakes, yes, but it was Alessandra's event. She didn't dare ask forgiveness from Gideon, not when she couldn't forgive herself.

A soft snore startled her. How long had she been lost in the past?

Was it dangerous for him to sleep?

She slowly ran her hand up his arm. His skin seemed to be warming. Would he be all right?

Even in his sleep, his arms tightened around her.

"Don't see Arnault again," he demanded in a sleepy voice. "I hate him."

"Gideon—"

Another snore. Was he talking in his sleep?

Why would he say such a thing? Ronald was a close member of her team. He was instrumental in the work Alessandra did for the crown. He'd become a friend over the past decade.

Maybe Gideon was dreaming about something else.

Though she was still worried about him, she slipped from his embrace, throwing a glance over her shoulder to ensure he was still sleeping.

She put on an extra sweatshirt and went out into the snow. She had to find that firewood.

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