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I couldn’t find my voice.
“Mare, what happened?” my friend pressed.
“I have to make a phone call.” I grabbed my purse and ran out before Tristana could push me any harder. I dialed out to Nyx as soon as I stepped foot in the corridor, ignoring Drakias’ shocked expression as I sprinted past.
“Are you all right, miss?” he demanded, striding after me.
Come on, Nyx, answer the phone.
His cell continued to ring until it went to voicemail, and I hung up, using my hip to burst through the back exit and into the afternoon air. Drakias was on my heels.
“Miss Maren are you all right?” he asked again, and I nodded quickly. He didn’t need to know.
“Is the king with the cabinet today?” I asked.
“I would imagine so,” the guard replied. “He goes every day.”
Pursing my lips together, I remained in the alley, staring up at the cumulus clouds drifting by overhead.
Should I go there? He did tell me I could.
Instantly, I felt foolish for considering such a drastic tactic. I wasn’t going to disturb him at work over something so trivial. Instead, I fired off a text to him, asking him to call me when he had a minute.
I left the text noncommittal, not wanting to worry him, but he needed to be aware of what Jergin was doing before he could be humiliated in front of all of Steelshire.
I started toward the road now, determined to get home and see exactly how much damage Jergin had done with his advertising.
In my haste to leave, I’d left my jacket backstage, but I didn’t dare go back for it now. I had no interest in talking to anyone.
To my utter amazement, I felt a heaviness fall over my shoulders, and I jumped as I realized Drakias had draped his overcoat on my shoulders before falling back to retain his position. My steps slowed a bit, and I glanced back at him gratefully.
“Thanks,” I stammered, shocked by the unexpected display of kindness. I hadn’t thought the guard liked me.
“Just doing my job, miss.”
“Right.”
I spun around and marched back toward the pretty stone building that was my new home, allowing us both through with my fob. Nodding at the concierge, I headed to the elevator bank, which opened immediately, again making me marvel at the luxury of my surroundings.
Drakias stood silently beside me, and I handed him his coat back. “Thanks,” I said again.
He didn’t reply, and I exhaled, not staking a blooming friendship on his earlier gesture. I drew in a breath, staving off the dizziness that overcame me. I thought that morning sickness only happened in the morning, but it seemed to be an all-day thing for me.
Impatiently, I glanced at the phone, willing Nyx to call me, but he still hadn’t when I arrived at the condo.
“Wait here, please.” Drakias held up a hand to do a sweep with his magic of the interior as I swallowed a groan.
This is so unnecessary…
But I kept my thoughts to myself and waited impatiently for the guard to return before heading into the apartment.
Grabbing my laptop, I sat on my velvet sofa, curling my jeaned legs underneath. Within seconds, I had pulled up a litany of advertisements for Maximo’s, each one featuring me in my skimpiest cabaret costume.
I paled to opaque at the headliner.
“Come see the King’s Lover in all her glory! The one and only Maren!”
Trembling, I set the computer aside and closed my eyes, willing myself not to panic.
