Chapter 46
“Bree!” Max greets me with a squeal that turns into a heart- melting grin before rushing into the room and launching himself at me. His tiny arms wrap around my legs in a tight hug. Laughter bubbles up from deep within me.
“Hello Max.” I crouch down to his level, brushing stray curls away from his forehead.
“You convinced her?” he looks at his father before looking at me. “Are you going to be my Nanny?” he asks excitedly. I
smile.
“Yes, Max,” I say. “I am your new nanny.” His squeal of joy echoes throughout the room as he hugs me tighter. I look up at King Soren who stands at the doorway, a soft smile playing on his lips.
Just maybe, this could work out after all. Maybe here, in this new place with these new people, life could finally start making sense. I could escape from the betrayal and pain of the past and build something new for myself.
“Yes! Yes yes yes!” Max jumps up and down excitedly before rushing off to grab some game he wants to play.
Soren watches him with a soft smile. “He’s been looking forward to having you here,” he admits, his eyes meeting mine.
“You knew I would say yes?” I ask with a raised brow.
“I can be persuasive,” he smiles wickedly and I roll my eyes at
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him. “I suppose I better go find Max then.” I tell him, moving to find where Max darted off to.
Over the next few days, I find myself adjusting surprisingly well to life in the castle. Soren keeps his promise and provides everything I need. I hardly see King Soren except at dinner with Max, so it isn’t too uncomfortable thankfully.
Yet, Rhett’s threat still occupies my mind constantly, making me tense up whenever there is an unexpected knock on the door, it has me on edge constantly waiting for the other shoe to drop, I worry that the king will one day send for me and that will be the end, that I will find myself in some cell for something I never did. I’m always looking over my shoulder, wondering when he might come after me again, when the King will figure out I’m hiding from not only Rhett but him since Rhett owed him the money.
Another day passes and we cremate Granny. The day is hard, and I am overwhelmed with guilt at how little time I was able to spend with her. Despite the heaviness of the day, I feel a glimmer of happiness that I was able to make her last few months more enjoyable. Having Max around helps brighten things up. He always knows how to make me laugh even on a day like today.
However when night falls and Max is tucked in bed I am grateful for some time alone. But as I lay in bed, I feel even more on edge. Perhaps it was the funeral or knowing the full moon is only two weeks away. The last few days, I’d also been hit with another series of debilitating stomach cramps, which I know are from more of Rhett’s infidelity.
Lately he has amped it up, like he is hoping the agony of it will have me crawling back begging him to reject me. And I have
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been tempted. Yet of all nights did it have to be tonight when I have just had an awful day.
The pain creeps up, it’s slow at first but then has me tossing and turning, sobbing, luckily he never lasts long but the aftershocks of it sometimes last day.
Just as I am about to fall into a restless sleep, there is a knock at my door that has me groaning, knowing I have to answer the door. But I can barely walk from the pain that lingers my muscle taut and I am drenched in sweat. My heart races as I get up from bed and pad across the room. I open it, finding King Soren standing there.
He is dressed in his night robe, and I can’t help but notice how handsome he looks. His hair falls over his forehead in soft waves, and the dim light from the hallway highlights the sharp lines of his jaw.
“Is everything alright? Is something wrong with Max?” I ask him, slightly breathlessly.
“Max is fine,” He nods and steps into my room. “I wanted to check on you,” he says, his eyes scanning the room before settling on me again. “Max reminded me when I tucked him in bed, that your grandmother’s cremation was today. I’m sorry I couldn’t be there.”
I swallow the lump that forms in my throat and am about to tell him it’s fine when pain rolls over me. It’s agony, and King Soren watches me carefully while I fight the urge to clutch my stomach or drop at his feet from the pain.
“Brielle?” he murmurs, and I feel sweat slide down the back of my neck.
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“I’m alright,” I force out, though my lie is as transparent as glass. The king’s eyes narrow slightly, concern etched in his face.
“I’m not certain you are,” he murmurs, stepping forward and placing a gentle hand on my shoulder. His touch is warm and unexpected. At that moment, pain twists in my gut, sharper than before. I gasp, doubling over as the world tilts
dangerously.
I feel Soren catch me before I hit the ground.
