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.

they were out of earshot, Nicholas’s piercing gaze shifted back

me the wrist guard

you give this

my teeth. I thought of lying, or simply avoiding the question.

knew the truth.

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

gesture.”

his arm. “It’s much more likely that you are using your

If I wanted it that

knew I would discover the truth

I just wanted to

tried at my patience. He thought so little of me now.

seemed tarnished

denial seriously.

after me, but I didn’t expect you to now have Julian up your

did Julian have to do with

my sleeve,”

up your sleeve.”

why. I suppose your beauty would

anyone with too

My… beauty?

Focus, Piper.

opened my mouth to deny Julian’s attraction, but

distance

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