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“You must know that I’m as fit as a fiddle,” I complained. “There’s not a thing wrong with me.”
“I do know that,” he replied. “But I want you to remain here a short while longer while I finish ensuring all of Stralia’s group has been rooted out.”
There was something about his tone that made me second guess his intentions, but I didn’t push him, nodding in agreement as I allowed him to slip in beside me, nestling against my bare arm, his warm cheek instantly putting me at ease.
“There will just be more work for me to do when I’m finally permitted to leave,” I warned.
“Grisella is handling matters.”
“I bet she is,” I grumbled, but even as I said it, I was partially grateful for the old battle axe who had not betrayed me the way some of the other staff had in the heat of the moment.
“Oh!” Cade sat up, looking vaguely sheepish. “I almost forgot…”
He slipped out of the bed to retreat out the door, returning with a small package in hand. “A gift arrived from Sandor.”
My eyes bugged. “The warlock?” I asked suspiciously. “Whom you accused of poisoning me?”
Cade grimaced. “He was very forgiving under the circumstances,” he replied. “And made me realize that maybe I was a bit too judgmental about warlocks in general. In fact, he forsook payment for your locator spell entirely… as long as he is invited to future galas… and the party celebrating the baby’s birth.”
A small titter escaped my lips. “He just wants to be included?” I asked dubiously.
Cade shrugged and handed me the package in his hands. “Apparently, he’s really just quite the social butterfly and wanted to be a part of society. I set him up with some money to thank him and a stylist to help get him cleaned up. He produced a protection spell for the baby that is meant to keep it safe in the womb. Aradia had it tested and reassured me that it’s safe.”
“Oh… how lovely,” I murmured, touched that the warlock would make such a gesture.
“Not everyone is as miserable as they seem.”
“Or as nice,” I agreed softly, unwrapping the package.
A waft of aromatic herbs greeted my nostrils, and I inhaled them sweetly, allowing them to linger in my lungs and filter through me. Immediately, I could feel them taking effect, my stomach tickling deliciously.
“You must thank Sandor for me,” I murmured.
“Maybe we’ll have him over for dinner, and you can thank him yourself,” Cade mused.
“If you ever let me out of here,” I replied lightly, but I couldn’t suppress my longing sigh.
Cade leaned forward to kiss my cheek, also taking a deep whiff of Sandor’s concoction.
“All in due time, My Queen,” he promised. “I’ll have food brought to you.”
“Are you leaving already?” I moaned, noting that he turned for the door again.
“I’ll be back soon,” he reassured me. “I just have some last-minute matters to attend to, and then I’m all yours for the night—I promise.”
I had no choice but to agree, and I extended my arms toward him for a last hug and kiss, which he obliged without issue. But I didn’t let him go easily, my lips lingering on his neck when he went to pull away.
“I’m not afraid when I’m with you, Cade,” I told him softly. “You don’t need to keep me locked away in here like a virgin princess.”
He met my eyes, brushing his mouth against mine. “I have no doubt that you can handle yourself, Zephy. And I have no intention of hiding you from the world. Don’t you worry.”
He landed a final peck on my mouth and saw himself to the door, leaving me alone with my thoughts again, my fingers trailing over the wetness of my lips. At least I would have that to last me for a little while until he returned.
Chapter22
Cade
Closing the door, I nodded curtly at the guards in the hall and burst into a sprint past the east wing of the palace, almost crashing through the scaffolding along the doorway of the newly erected wing.
