Chapter 83

Bianca glances behind her one last time before slipping out the front gate of the palace. Lila has been distant since their last conversation in the library and Bianca is becoming desperate for someone to help her with her plans.

Ember is pregnant with Kaine’s pup and Bianca decides that something has to be done quickly.

Bianca walks until she finds herself if a more unsavory neighborhood in the kingdom. She draws her hood tighter around herself as she navigates the narrow streets, glancing down at the note clutched in her hand every so often to make sure she is headed in the right direction.

Finally, she comes to a rundown building at the edge of town. She takes a quick look around to make sure that she hasn’t been followed before stepping in and meeting the former Captain of the Guard.

She smiles. “Good to see you. Chris.”

Outside of the small building Robert crouches low, beside a broken window. Bianca had almost spotted him before entering, but he was able to edge around the side of the building before she could take notice.

His breathing is slow and quiet as he strains his ears to hear what is taking place in the room above him. He hears Bianca’s voice, low but sure.

“I’m pleased to see you out of prison.”

A deep voice replies, too low for Robert to make out. Bianca continues, “I’ll keep it short. Ember’s pregnant.”

Robert goes still. Could it be true?

The man says something unintelligible, and the sound of Bianca frustrated voice drifts out the window. “Yes, I’m sure it’s his.”

The pair argue for a minute, and then Robert hears the door slam. He chances a peak at Bianca and notes that she looks dissatisfied by the conversation.

After a few minutes, the man exits the building and heads in the opposite direction. Robert lets him go and then waits for a beat before heading back to the palace himself.

As Robert walks, his mind reels with this new information. He and Ember had been friends before he rejected their mate bond, and he can’t believe that Ember is pregnant.

Guilt twists in his gut as he thinks about what he did to her. It was cruel, he can’t deny that now. Ember didn’t deserve to be treated this way.

The guilt worms itself further, taking hold as he thinks about his dealings with the Queen. He was only following orders, but those orders had become increasingly unsettling over the past several months. He had warned Ember to limit her involvement, but she hadn’t heeded his notes.

Robert swears. If Ember really is hiding a pregnancy, she’s even more vulnerable than before. Robert decides to help her.

Ember

I walk around the perimeter of my room, taking time to make sure I am not leaving anything important. I don’t have many possessions, but there are a few things, I wouldn’t want to leave without.

I come to a stop in front of the dresser as a slight glint catches my eye. My heart aches as I stare at the brooch Kaine had purchased for me all those months ago. It’s beauty still takes my breath away.

I lift it from the dresser and rotate it a few times in my hand, admiring the way the light shines off the precious stones. I consider leaving it, but the ache in my chest only intensifies when I consider putting it back. I take out a scarf from my bag, wrapping it carefully before tucking it away.

For better or for worse, it will serve as a reminder of my time at the palace. As I take one last look around room, I feel a forceful tug. I freeze.

I feel it again. The same pull that let me into the palace and into the arms of Kaine that fateful night. Shit.

I do the math in my head, counting the days since I had last been able to take the bond suppressing potion. I am overdue.

I’m lucky I made it this long without being found out. I gasp as the urge to find Kaine nearly topples my willpower. Nara whines and I nearly cave.

I have to go.

Kaine said himself that he would only marry Bianca, and now that their engagement has been officially celebrated any chance of him going back on that it gone. My being his mate changes nothing. He’s made it clear that he doesn’t care for me.

I can’t afford to be forced to stay and give my baby to Bianca. I can’t afford to be rejected and lose Nara.

There’s a knock at the door and my heart stutters. If it’s Kaine, there is no way he will let me leave. I will be stuck, forced to have this child in secret and give them up to the sister who tried to have me killed.

Even if it’s someone else, there will be consequences if they suspect that I am abandoning my post. The person knocks again.

I take grab my bag and move it to the corner of the room where it can’t be seen before slowly edging my way to the door. I bend down and take a peek at the person’s shoes, guard boots, standard issue. It’s not Kaine.

I breathe a sigh of relief as I straighten. I open the door a crack and surprised to see Robert of all people standing before me.

The moment he sees me words start pouring from his mouth a mile a minute. “Ember, I’m sorry to barge in on you like this, but I followed Bianca out of the palace. It seemed like she was planning something and that you might be involved.”

He takes a deep breath and continues, “She was meeting with a man, I’m sorry I didn’t get a good look at his face, but she was telling him that you are pregnant. I think you are in trouble.”

Robert stops and I stare at him flabbergasted. I take a quick glance at the bag in the corner. “Um, thank you for warning me.”

Robert looks at me earnestly. “It’s not just that; I want to apologize for the way I’ve treated you. You never deserved my rejection, and you never deserved my disdain. I’m sorry Ember.”

I look past him into the hallway. Without the effects of the bond suppressant, it is only a matter of time before Kaine seeks me out. I need Robert to hurry up.

Robert shifts slightly catching my eye again. “Ember, I don’t think you are safe here. With your permission, I’d like to escort you out of the palace and to safety.”

My mouth falls open as Robert surprises me for the second time tonight. I search his eyes and find nothing but sincerity. He means it.

I notice the set of his jaw and see that he is determined to do the noble thing in order to make amends. I don’t have time to argue.

“Okay, Robert. Let’s go.”

I rush to the corner and grab my bag. He raises his eyebrows, seeing that I was already packed, but doesn’t mention it. He looks pleased.