Page 78 of Outcast’s Vow

Sylvie nods knowingly. This isn’t secret information I’m divulging, but I know where she wants to go next.

“Your mother, Baptiste... where is she?”

That’s the secret.

My hand clenches my glass. My throat tightens.

“Not far from here,” I reply, my usual swagger stripped from my voice, even as I claw for it.

And Sylvie notices.

Of course she does. She’s too damn smart.

“Why didn’t she come to the wedding?”

“I don’t want her getting tangled in this world,” I explain low. “She’s happy living her own life. She doesn’t have time for billionaires or secret societies.”

“And are you still close?”

I nod.

“I would love to meet her,” Sylvie says.

I nod again. I should’ve expected this. I should’ve expected my wife would want to meet my mother.

“Is that a yes, then?” she asks.

“No one meets her,” I reply firmly. “No one.”

“Not even your wife?”

“No one.”

Can’t give anyone that leverage over me.

“That sounds lonely.”

“That’s my life. That’s how I do things.”

“Oh.”

Sylvie’s disappointed, but I can’t help her.

“It’s a line I do not cross. With anyone. I’ve made that promise to myself.”

There’s a long beat between us. It’s not uncomfortable, but there’s still silence. Something’s shifted. I’ve given away a part of myself, and yet Sylvie knows I’ve not revealed all. Her curious gaze tells me all I need to know.

“Okay,” she says. “I respect that. I may not understand it, but I respect your promise to yourself.”

She’ll come back for more. Maybe not today, but soon. And I can’t tell how long I’ll be able to resist.

“Now tell me about yourself, Highness. Something you didn’t tell me on our honeymoon. If you want to open up, then you should lead the way.”

Sylvie takes another sip of her drink.

“You know all there is to know about me, Baptiste,” she says, her eyes not leaving mine.

“Yeah, sure. I know the facts, and I know about your love for Juniper Wren, but what about your course? What made you go for Sustainable Business, and what the hell is it?”