Accidental Surrogate

Ella

I pace back and forth outside Gabriel’s chambers, absolutely beside myself over Phil!ppe’s fate. I have the worst feeling that Sinclair is going to fire or demote the guard because of my actions, and I’m already preparing a furious speech to deliver to my mate if he does so. I can’t hear a single word of their conversation because the King’s chambers are soundproofed – a luxury I decide Sinclair and I should definitely invest in when we return home.

The waiting is horrible, but eventually my faithful guard emerges, looking thoroughly dejected. I can’t stop myself from racing up to him with man energy. “Did he demote you? Is he still on the call –I’ll talk to him-“

“Woah,” He catches me by the shoulders. “It’s okay, Ella. He didn’t demote me, he just did a lot of yelling”

“Im so sorry.” I profess wringing my hands.

“Don’t be.” Phil!ppe says evenly, staring me straight in the eye so I can see the honesty in his expression. “You were right. Being someone’s guard is a really intimate relationship. You have to trust me with your very life, with all your secrets

He sighs, shaking his head. “Most people get to choose their guards but you didn’t pick me, you didn’t even know who I was when Dominic a.ssigned me to you.”

“So?” I protest, still feeling indignant on his behalf.

“So it’s right that I should have to prove myself to you.” He chuckles. “Trust has to be earned.”

Phil!ppe pauses, giving me an assessing look. “But I have to tell you that if it had gone on much longer. I don’t think I could’ve kept it up.. part of protecting you means looking out for your health and well-being even when you don’t want me to do it. You weren’t doing well and I’m glad Dominic got through to you. I don’t want to be in that position again.”

“I respect that.” I reply contritely. “And Ill try to do better.” I promise, wondering if my sudden urge to explain myself is actually to help him understand, or to make myself feel better. I have a terrible sense that it’s the latter, but I forge ahead anyway as we begin walking down the opulent corridor.”

These last few months have gone by in such a whirlwind. My entire life is different now and I’m still struggling to catch up.”

of a world I didn’t know existed, and I’m in the middle of a war, and I might even have parents out there somewhere.” I know I’m rambling, and Goddess love Phil!ppe for standing beside me and listening without judgment. “I love it, but it’s still hard. I’m

I look over I find Phil!ppe watching me closely. He leans back on his heels, pursing his l!ps. “Is that part of why you’re

part?” I inquire, not even sure about all the words I just

think any of us… I mean we all realized you’d been left with the humans and that the Goddess was involved, but I think maybe we were so distracted by how amazing it all is that we didn’t consider what it might mean for a woman who probably spent her entire childhood praying that her parents might turn up

I feel very vulnerable. I wrap my arms around myself. “What orphan doesn’t

us in the orphanage for our safety. But they left us together so we wouldn’t have to be alone.” I smile at the bittersweet memory. “But we grew up… and we realized that we just weren’t wanted. We

I haven’t answered him. “I think it’s part of it.” I confess. “Ive been saying I have to find out where I came from – which is true. But in my brain finding out where I came from is one in the same as finding

kept Cora out of it too.. because for the first time since I was eight, I feel like there’s hope I might find the answers… and that’s not a

that can motivate us without us even realizing it.” He

therapy

gr0an, thinking of my mate’s

“Not you too!”

hands in self defense,

throwing my arms

days later I’m back in the sitting room with Leon,

private for the therapy session following today’s ether trip – a fact the therapist was only too smug about-

Leon to travel into the past. As soon

the

at night, but she’s the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen. The strange thing is that I find it hard to take in all of her features at once. I can only focus on one aspect at a time, and when