Lena pressed a hand to her face.

“Lena, we will speak about your part in this later.” Nicholas said, dismissing her.

“Yes, Sir.” Lena, keeping her eyes on the ground, quickly turned and walked back toward the palace.

Elva, who had been hiding behind my skirts, peeked her head out. “Is it over? No more loud yelling?”

“I

“It’s over,” I told her, but then looked up at Nicholas, whose tight expression had not relaxed. “I think.”

“Mark“” Nicholas called out⠀⠀

Mark emerged from the tree line. He had been close and ready. Likely he had planned to jump out if he

had been needed.

Nicholas lowered himself down to one knee to speak to Elva. “Elva, do you mind playing with Mark for a

minute while I speak with your mother?”

Elva seemed unsure. She looked up at me.

I smiled and nodded, giving her support.

“Okay…” Slowly, she walked over to Mark, who held out a hand for her. She kept looking back at us

though, as if she didn’t trust us alone.

were out of earshot, Nicholas’s piercing

wrist, showing me the wrist guard

this to

I thought of lying, or simply avoiding the

knew the truth.

thank you for helping Elva,” I said. I motioned toward the wrist guard. “This

gesture.”

that.” He lowered his arm. “It’s much more likely that you are using

that way, I wouldn’t

knew I would discover

just

so little

seemed tarnished

my denial seriously.

I didn’t

did Julian have to do with anything?

up my

up your sleeve.”

not sure why. I suppose your beauty

usually avoids anyone with too many strings

My… beauty?

Focus, Piper.

attraction, but Nicholas cut me off before

distance

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

Comments ()

0/255