It takes me a second before I can make myself follow him. He’s already in the hall when I catch up. Brevan is standing guard but isn’t looking at either of us.
I grab Caiden’s arm. “What do you mean? You promised me. I married you. I did what you asked of me. You assured me she’d be safe. That I’d get to see her.”
“And you will. Once I am satisfied with your loyalty.”
I scoff. “Is this to make me sleep with you?”
“Please. If I want sex, I’ll find it.”
“Then what? Do you just enjoy punishing me?”
“I am your emperor. Your husband.” His eyes flicker to my stomach, then back up. “And until I know the future heir to my kingdom is safe and healthy, you will not see your friend.”
My heart falls into my stomach and I’m too distraught to chase him when he walks away.
Brevan remains in the hall, next to Nate. Both of them appear to be avoiding looking at me.
Then I realize he did this on purpose. Caiden wanted everyone to think I was pregnant. He said it in front of my ladies, citing a night before we were married as the cause. He said it in front of Brevan to hurt him. To hurt me.
But it’s not possible. I haven’t missed a cycle. At least I don’t think I have. My chest tightens. Have I? I can’t recall the last time I bled. What if…I look at the enforcer. He’s still avoiding looking anywhere near me.
“Nate, I need privacy. Can you get me that?”
He glances over at Brevan, then looks at me again, seeming to put it together. Then he nods. “This way, empress.”
I follow him down the hall to another door. He opens it and I step inside. It’s a smaller room. Like one that might be used by a child. A single light glows on the wall near the window. There’s no furniture, not even a rug or a tapestry. It’s abandoned.
Nate leaves, shutting me in the darkened room alone.
My insides clench. No. No. No. I have to get that out of my head. If I am with child…no. I’m not. It’s not possible. I used the herbs. I took precautions. Didn’t I?
Panic rings in my ears. The stolen moments with Brevan weren’t planned. But it would be too soon, wouldn’t it? I’m trying to count. It’s not something I ever worried about. I took the tonic when I was with Lee. He said he did, too, though now I’m not sure I believe him.
The door opens and Brevan closes it behind him. He’s silent as he walks toward me, then stops when he’s close enough to touch me. “Is it true?”
“I—I don’t know. I can’t remember. I wasn’t keeping track,” I admit.
We stand there in silence for a long while. “I never…I want you to know, I was never with?—”
“I know,” he cuts in.
“He took Anya,” I say because discussing the other issue is impossible.
“I heard. He didn’t inform me of those plans,” he says.
“Do you know where she is?” I ask.
“I’m working on it,” he admits.
“You’re no longer inner circle,” I say.
“So it appears.”
“He was trying to hurt you, you know. By saying that in front of you.”
“The only part that hurts is the fact that I can’t hold you. I can’t comfort you or touch you or kiss you or…” he grips his hair in frustration, then turns away. “I shouldn’t have said that.”
I reach for him and touch his back gently. He turns around and I throw myself into his arms. He pulls me close, then kisses the top of my head. “I can still get you out of here.”
