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“Did you sleep well, Tristiana?” I asked the dancer, who appeared relieved by the subject shift. I decided to pretend Odette wasn’t there at all.
“Yes, thank you, Alpha,” Tristiana replied. “That guest room is the size of my apartment downtown.”
I nodded, unfolding my napkin on my lap. “Good. The show will be a success tonight, I’m sure. It’s sold out.”
Excitement crossed over Maren’s face, and she cast me a happy look. Our eyes locked, and my mood lightened, despite Odette’s presence. If Maren was content, so was I.
“Will you be back for it?” Maren asked hopefully.
“Are you kidding? I wouldn’t miss it for anything,” I promised her. “I can’t wait to see what you came up with.”
“I think it’s brilliant,” Tristiana offered. “Better than anything we’ve ever done at Maximo’s.”
Pensively, I studied Maren’s flushed cheeks.Maybe she should be running Maximo’s, too… when it’s safe. If it’s ever safe.
I had a meeting with the Royal Guards that day, after the cabinet, to discuss the progress of her assailant’s search. I had lost hope that we would find him after all this time, but that didn’t mean I was ready to stop looking. I wasn’t lulled by the calm now that there were no more fires. I had a distinct feeling that more trouble was waiting in the wings.
“Nyx?”
I raised my head and realized that Maren was still talking to me. Sheepishly, I flashed her a grin. “I’ll be there. I promise.”
She gave me a worried look, but the servants served our breakfast, distracting me from any deeper conversation,although I caught her giving me several worried glances throughout the meal.
As we finished, I was the first one up and heading to the door, but Maren hurried to catch up with me.
“Are you all right?” she asked in the hallway. “You seem really distracted.”
“Why did you invite Odette to breakfast?” I challenged. “You should be keeping her at arm’s length unless you need her.”
Maren appeared taken aback by my question. “You sent her to me, remember? You were the one who suggested that we were friends before.”
“Yes, because she was needed then. She’s not your friend, Maren. Stop keeping her around. I was wrong about you befriending her.”
Maren frowned. “Don’t you think she’s been punished enough?”
I snorted. I didn’t tell her my plans to see her fired the moment I was sure it was safe to do so. Maren didn’t need to hear how truly wicked the enchantress could be. She had the baby to worry about, and that was all Maren needed to focus on.
“She’s not a project, Maren. And no, I don’t think she’s been punished enough.”
“Don’t be so hard, Nyx. Maybe she can move back into her suite on the second floor, at least. It’s so isolated in the west wing.”
I studied Maren’s compassionate face, a rush of affection flooding me, but I stood firm. “No. She’s staying where she is… for now.”
Maren sighed. “I wish you’d tell me what she did.”
I leaned forward and kissed her lips softly. “It doesn’t matter. Either way, I’d prefer not to deal with her unless it’s necessary. The west wing is a perfect place for her because she’s out of sight, and I don’t have to see her.”
The answer made Maren unhappy, but she didn’t push it, and I pulled her in for a hug. “I’ll see you tonight, all right?”
“Okay,” she agreed. “Have a good day.”
“I’ll try,” I laughed, releasing her, but I was already dreading what was coming up.
There wasa strange tone in the Council of Ministers meeting again, the ministers whispering amongst themselves when I entered. They all stopped abruptly and stood straight, as if I’d walked in on them looking at dirty magazines in the locker room at school.
“Something you want to share with me?” I asked, glancing at my right-hand male in cabinet affairs. Harman’s mouth pulled into a worried line, and my stomach tightened.
Now what?
