Page 32 of Cold Heir

“Bathe, relax,” he ordered with a sweet command, ignoring my question. “By the time you return, everything will be set up.”

I wasn’t sure what‘set up’meant, but I did smell something cooking in the kitchen. So, maybe that was it, the staff had prepared a feast.

After what I’d done, though, I wasn’t certain they wouldn’t poison it.

“Okay,” I agreed with another fake smile plastered on my face, and then reached for my bag. However, Silas beat me to it.

He led the way toward the steps, and I was all too aware of his stare. When we made it to the top, I stole a look just as he eased the bag Glenn packed for me off his shoulder, down his toned arm. I lifted my gaze to meet his and he smiled.

“Thank you.” I barely managed to get the words out with how intently I watched him. He made me feel shy and unsure of myself, despite something in his gaze telling me I had nothing to worry about anymore.

“You’re welcome. I can set it inside if you’d like.”

My eyes closed for a moment when I shook my head, realizing he didn’t understand.

“No, not just for this,” I expressed. “For everything you and Julian did to find us. I don’t know all the details, but … I can imagine.”

Yes, I’d already shared my appreciation when he showed up at Glenn’s, but it simply overwhelmed me. All he’d done, with no bond between us, urging him ahead, moved me. He seemed to understand when he dipped his chin with another nod.

“Corina, you don’t owe us any thanks,” he insisted. “We’re sort of a family here now, and that’s what families do, right? Fight for one another no matter what?”

When he said those words, I blinked with disbelief at how they hit home in so many ways, but they did.

“Yeah,” I confirmed, holding him in my gaze as his kind nature overwhelmed me. “You’re right. That’sexactlywhat families do.”

Chapter Eleven

Corina

Neither a fresh change of clothes, nor finally being able to do something decent with my hair, made the needle move on my mood.

Mostly because being back here, settling in, emphasized how hard I failed.

I shouldn’t have been back in this suite. My place was back with my team, helping them in whatever way I could, because that was the only thing I’d ever put energy into that mattered.

There was no noise coming from downstairs, but I knew the princes were waiting. However, I still hadn’t quite caught my breath. So many things overwhelmed me—the full weight of my thwarted plan, missing my team, the feeling of somehow belonging here despite knowing that wasn’t so. It was inconceivable how that could ever be possible, but it was, and sitting here sulking wasn’t going to change a thing.

The hallway was well lit when I finally stepped out, taking the stairs slowly as the aroma of whatever had been prepared filled the entire house. On cue, my stomach growled with the ferocity of an entire pride of lions. It had been weeks since I had a good meal, but then again, good meals were only a recent luxury for me anyway.

My bare feet padded against the tile floor as I crossed through the foyer, to the corridor that led to the dining room. When I did, a single, lighthearted laugh made me pause in my tracks, because it was so familiar. Soft, feminine. It could have very well been Elle, but … a crazy thought passed through my head, and despite knowing it was completely irrational, my heart skipped a beat.

“Liv?” I whispered her name as hope crept into me fiercely.

Moving faster, I braced a hand against the wall as I made my way closer.

Don’t hope, Cori. What you’re thinking is impossible. Don’t. Hope.

Just shy of the doorway, I stopped and breathed deep, listening to Silas speak. He was telling a story, something embarrassing about a ski trip he’d taken with the other princes. A storytheywould have already been familiar with, which made me wonder who he was sharing it withnow.

I did it. I stepped into the doorway with all that hope bottled up, preparing my heart for disappointment. Only, I discovered the next second that wasn’t necessary.

Because they were here.Allof them. They were my surprise.

My team.

The room went silent as I stood there. Words wouldn’t come to my lips either. I don’t think I’d fully accepted that this was real—everyone I cared about in this world seated at one table, getting along, smiling.

Several chairs scooted across the floor at once, and I was rushed by too many people to count. Right after, I was mobbed with hugs that only perpetuated my speechlessness, fueled the frantic tears that rolled down my cheeks like a waterfall.

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