**DAPHNE**
I awaken just as the sun shines through the glass pane of the front bedroom, the sleeping quarters I chose to rest in when we first arrived here. Something about this particular space, with its soft pink hues and dark old wood furniture, spoke to me. The bed was just big enough for two people and yet I am alone.
*But if Ash were here...*
*Stop it!*
The bed in the former, is wider, so it made sense that Dionie take it for his own. After all, he is larger than Petra and I put together. Even if Petra *did* decide to share with him instead of me.
I smile to myself.
*I’m going to do whatever I can to get those two together. They are absolutely adorable.*
I sit up, noting that Klyesque never came up to sleep. I offered her to share with me, but she refused, proclaiming someone needed to be downstairs to keep watch. But I had hoped she’d rest for at least an hour or so upstairs.
Standing slowly, I take an easy step. For the last few days, the mornings haven’t been as bad for me. The worst of my nausea seems to hit after an hour or so of being awake and active.
About to take my first steps down the stairs, I pause. There are voices coming from the kitchen and I strain my ears to hear who it might be.
“Petra seems to think she is pregnant.” Dionie’s voice floats above the stairs. “But she’s no midwife nor witch, so...”
“Well if Daphne is with child, then it isn’t mine. It can’t be.”
*Ash?!*
My heart begins to pump heavily in my chest as I realize that he is *finally* here. Yet, I restrain myself from running down the stairs. I want to hear all that they are saying first.
“You don’t know that,” Klyesque says. Her voice is defensive and weary.
“I do know it. It’s impossible.” Ash’s voice again.
*Why is he denying me? What is going on?*
“If the child is of royal blood - Hayden’s blood - then I will proceed as planned. I don’t care how in love with her the three of you are.”
*As planned? What the devil does that mean?*
*What plans?*
My heart begins to ache tremendously as I realize how little Ash cares for me.
He used me. Used me in the way he warned me that others wanted to.
*How silly I’ve been, running around thinking he might love me.*
*Enough!*
Wiping the tears that have escaped to run down my cheeks, I take a deep breath and step toward the stairs. The floorboard creaks and the voices below cease.
*I will act as if I heard nothing at all.*
*It will be okay.*
*I can pretend I do not love him.*
*I can ignore this pain in my chest. I must...*
Just as I am about to take a step, I feel a hand on my shoulder. With a gasp, I turn my head only to come face to face with Petra. She appears to have heard them as well, for her eyes are filled with compassion and force me to take another deep breath.
She whispers, “Keep the baby secret. We will pretend you have just been ill. Do not even mention it to him.” I open my mouth to respond, but she shakes her head. “Trust me Daphne. Give it time. He will see what the rest of us already know.”
I smile and squeeze her hand before the two of us descend together. Each step builds the tension in me as I round the hallway and I catch my first glance of Ash.
*Seventeen days may have possibly made him more beautiful.*
I almost forget myself and jump into his arms. He is dressed much like he usually is at Hadimere Palace. Finery fit for a king, steel muscles apparent through his clothes. Golden skin unmarred and even more dazzling than I remember it.
My gaze rises up from his boots to his smoky gray eyes. His jaw is clenched, and his body stiffens upon the sight of me. I cannot hold his eyes. Instead, I lift my chin and smile at the other faces around the room.
“Good morning,” I squeak.
“Are you going to ignore me then?” He asks softly, stepping close.
The smell of him invades my nose and I nearly weep with homesickness.
I want to be in his arms. I want him to hold me!
“I’m not ignoring you.” I say quietly. “I am giving you, your wanted space.”
“I don’t remember asking for space.” He smirks. “Are you certain that is what you are doing? Are you sure there isn’t a different reason for your coldness?”
My eyes shoot back to his. “What?”
He laughs, his gaze growing heavy as he assesses me. Glaring at the long dressing gown I am wearing over my night shirt, he takes off his cloak and places it over my shoulders, his fingers stroking my neck as they come away. The warmth of it alone forces a soft moan from my lips and for a moment the cruelty in his eyes falters.
“Do you want the entire room to know what color your nipples are?” He whispers, bringing his lips to my ear. “They are not for all eyes to see.”
My face colors as he ties the cloak around my throat and I gaze up at him, my lips parted. He freezes for a moment, looking down on me with vulnerable eyes. Eyes filled with hurt and longing. Then his mouth hardens, and he steps away.
“I was at the palace for an entire day before I came here. While I was there, I learned quite a few things about you, Daphne. It seems, I was successful in my breaking of you. Apparently, you are no longer afraid of sharing your body.” He smiles at me, but there is no joy in it.
It takes me a full minute to fully understand what he’s just declared. “Wh-what? Why are you saying this?” I choke out.
“Hayden told me all about the deal he made with you,” he hisses angrily. “ It seems that I have not been the only one in your bed, now have I, Daphne?”