Page 46 of Forgotten Fate

“Zen?” she pressed. “Are we going?”

“No,” I told her, unbudging, my feet planted firmly in place. “I’m not going anywhere until you tell me what the hell is going on with you today.”

Chapter15

Mirielle

Zen stared at me with such defiance, I got the sense that he might keep me there forever if I didn’t spit it all out.

For a second, I was tempted to tell him everything, unburdening the weight from my shoulders ever since the horrifying memory had resurfaced, but I stopped myself.

Was it really a memory? Could it really be trusted? What if I was wrong, and it was just a bad dream?

Obviously, I didn’t believe that, or I wouldn’t have kept it to myself all day, but there was still a chance I wasn’t recalling the details correctly. Knowing how Zen felt about outsiders and the walls he had let down to permit me into his world, I didn’t want to ruin what we had based on a ten-second reel in my mind that might have been based on nothing at all. It couldn’t be trusted. I had to wait until I had more concrete information to give him.

And if I have it, will I tell him then?

I shushed that nagging inner voice, questioning my own ethics, and forced myself to focus on the matter at hand. After everything he’d done for me, he deserved the truth, but what would he do if he learned it?

“Mirielle!”

“I know,” I mumbled, kicking my running shoe against the ground as I fought against my own conscience. “I’m not acting like myself.”

“No kidding. I need to know why. I want to help you.”

My eyes rose, and I read the truth on his face.

He really did want to help me, or I wouldn’t still be in the castle, sleeping with him every night. But he must have limits.

I inhaled. “I promise to tell you what’s going on, but can we not do it here?”

I waved around the greenhouse and glanced over my shoulder. Then I looked pointedly at his guards, lurking in the near distance. “I don’t want anyone to overhear.”

Zen’s arms fell to his sides begrudgingly, but his jaw remained taut. “Fine,” he agreed. “But wearegoing out tonight. We’re not staying here. I think you’re starting to get cabin fever.”

More dread swirled in my gut.

“Is that safe?” I blurted out, and his eyes narrowed again, making me swallow a grimace. “I just mean… you know, the Order of Souls and everything.”

He scoffed angrily. “If you think those black-souled monsters are going to keep me hidden out of fear, you’re sorely mistaken. Silverhold is my kingdom, and I’m free to come and go as I please. How can I expect Cyndella to move on if I’m not setting an example?”

His expression softened again. “I won’t let anything happen to you, either, if that’s what you’re worried about.”

I shook my head and tentatively drew closer to him, unsure if he wanted me to touch him or not, but to my great relief, he accepted my embrace with open arms. “Are you taking me back to Harbinger’s?” I teased lightly, the idea exciting me for half a second.

Zen chuckled and pulled back slightly to study my face. “I could,” he answered slowly. “If you want.”

My tongue wet my lips quickly, and I nuzzled my nose back against his shoulder. “I’ll go anywhere you want to take me.”

“Let’s start with dinner first,” he said. “Then we’ll see where the night takes us.” He pulled back and stared at me earnestly. “But don’t think for a second that you’re distracting me, Miri. I want to know what’s troubling you.”

“Okay,” I breathed, my mind racing.

* * *

I didn’t even knowwhen Zen had arranged for the dressing room closet in my suite to be filled with dozens of beautiful dresses in varying colors, each one more flattering to my complexion and hair than the last.

The full closet had appeared overnight on the third night after I’d arrived on the royal floor, each outfit in exactly my size.

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