Page 48 of The Alpha King’s Hidden Mute Mate

Would she—ever think of me?

I laughed bitterly. What a stupid question. She couldn't wait to never see me again. I told her myself. You mean nothing to me.

Fuck.

I slammed my fist into the stone railing, knuckles throbbing dully.

But at least she'd be safe. That was what mattered. Whatever schemes those elders were plotting, once she left the palace, left these whirlpools of power, she'd be safe.

As for everything else...

I looked up at the night sky. The moon was half-covered by thin clouds, like a half-closed eye, coldly watching the earth.

As for this inexplicable ache in my chest—that didn't matter.

Didn't matter at all.

Chapter Eleven

Mia

The king banished me.

The news came after lunch.

I was in my room, sorting through what little I owned—an extra dress, a pair of shoes worn through at the heels, a comb missing half its teeth. That was it. I'd lived in the palace for six months, and my closet held fancy gowns the servants had brought, but none of them fit me.

Just for show. Never really mine.

When the door opened, I didn't look up. I figured it was that maid who brought lunch every day—always wearing that pinched expression, like serving me was the greatest humiliation of her life. But I got it. Who'd want to look after a mute?

"Miss Turner."

That made me look up. Not the maid. The palace steward—an old man who always wore black robes and looked like he'd just crawled out of a coffin. He stood in the doorway, clutching a scroll of parchment, his face telling me this wasn't a tea party invitation.

"The Elder Council has issued your banishment order." His voice was flat as a grocery list. "You have three days to leave the palace and proceed to the designated location. Here are your papers."

He set the parchment on the table and left.

The door closed behind him with a dull thud.

I stared at that scroll for a long time. Banishment. The word rattled around in my head like a coin dropped down a well, clanging all the way to the bottom.

Zane was banishing me?

Not long ago, he'd refused to let me leave. Now he was throwing me out of my own kingdom.

Why?

I knew I had no say in this, but I needed a reason.

I grabbed the document and left my room.

I had to find Zane. I had to ask him—even though I couldn't speak, I could ask with my eyes, I could write, I could use what little dignity I had left to tell him: You owe me an explanation.

The guards tried to stop me.

But when they saw the parchment in my hand, they hesitated. Maybe my expression scared them. They went to announce me, and soon I was granted entry.