Page 35 of Fae King's Forbidden Love

Alarmed, I looked at Elix, but she turned to peer out the window and into the lightening clouds, her shoulder sinking in as the sun struggled over dawn’s horizon.

“What is that supposed to mean?” I challenged, but she didn’t respond to me. “Elix?”

She remained silent, her dark head of hair resting on the crook of her arm, an oozing of melancholy rushing out of her body as she closed her eyes.

Chapter 9

Elix

It felt strange being back in Goldhaven Palace. Not just in my head, but in my soul as well. Nothing felt right, even as I was left alone in the suite I’d been given on the same floor as Jace.

I don’t belong here. He doesn’t want me here. I can see it on his face.

We could pretend that nothing had changed, that just because no formal announcement had been made that our engagement was off, that everything was okay, but I knew it wasn’t.

“You look so sad,” Jace told me softly as the door closed behind us. “What’s on your mind?”

I barely knew how to respond to that.

“Everything,” I admitted. “It’s all… I don’t know.”

He gathered me in his arms and exhaled. “I know,” he admitted. “We’ve got a lot to sort through, but we will.”

My head dipped back to look at him. “We will what?”

“We’ll sort through it. Together.”

I pursed my lips. “Will we?”

He nodded, the sincerity in his eyes gleaming. “Yes, Elix. I’m here for you always. I’m not going anywhere.”

My heart was still somewhat bruised and wary, but I wanted to believe him.

“I need to go back downstairs and talk to your brother and Cirilla. Why don’t you get some rest?” He stared at me, waiting for me to say something, and I swallowed thickly.

“I’ll try,” I agreed, but I knew I wouldn’t sleep. My mind was spinning still. He kissed me gently, and despite all my reservations, shivers rushed through my body.

“I love you, Elix,” he whispered huskily, and I choked back a sob.

“I love you too,” I said freely and without hesitation. My heart ached to release him, but I let him go and tend to business as I remained alone in the bedroom.

Sitting on the edge of the huge bed, which had once given me so much comfort and pleasure, I couldn’t relax as I planned my next moves.

Saint and Jace had retreated to the king’s office on the main floor upon our return to the palace, instructing me to go up and rest.

“You’re still weak from what happened,” Cirilla informed me, agreeing with them when I protested.

Am I weak, or does Jace just not want to see me?I mused, staring down at my hands. None of this was his fault, either. But there was no way to undo my bloodline.

With a trembling breath, I rose from the edge of the bed and headed into the massive dressing room to pack. This time, I would tell him I was leaving, though. I couldn’t have a replay of what had just happened.

Slowly and deliberately, I took my time packing what I thought I might need for the upcoming journey ahead, but I also realized that I had no idea what that trip entailed.

I couldn’t go back to Saint. I didn’t trust my brother anymore. Staying with him at his place wasn’t an option in myown mind. But I also couldn’t deny that I needed protection, not anymore. Lysandra wasn’t going to just let things go. She was powerful enough to overtake me, but she had also caught me off guard. If I were smart, I could fend for myself.

But could I watch myself twenty-four hours a day? That didn’t seem likely.

I would need to ask Jace for added protection, but not here. Somewhere else.

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