Page 14 of Secrets & Curses of Fate

“Either is fine.”

“I’ll take two of each flavor then.” He pulled out money and set it down on the wooden table. The women glared at me, but I ignored them. Haden grabbed the pastries and thanked them before dragging me up the street again. I couldn’t help but smile. I’m sure Haden had his fair share of women chasing after him, but I liked that he didn’t pay any attention to it.

Haden cut across a tall field of dead grass. Gods, I needed to stop wearing dresses and heels. He looked back to see why I was slowing down, glancing down at my feet and back up to me. He handed me the pastries before he scooped me up and started walking again.

“You don’t have to carry me,” I said quickly.

“Trust me, I do. We have to make it through the woods, and you're in heels and a dress.”

A smirk tugged at his lips as he glanced down at me. I gripped our pastries in one hand and wrapped my arm around his neck. Haden's arms tightened on me, holding me as close to him as he could.

“Noted.” I chuckled. “I will stop wearing dresses and heels when I come.”

Haden looked at me oddly.

“If you want to keep wearing them, then I will carry you whenever you need me to.” His gaze lingered on mine.

I leaned up and kissed his cheek. Haden stopped walking and pressed his lips to mine. Then, he pulled away and started walking through the forest of birch trees like he hadn’t just left me breathless. The leaves were starting to change orange andyellow with the season. It was so pretty. I lifted my head toward the sky and watched the canopy of leaves pass by us, content to be in his arms.

After a minute, we broke through the tree line and made it to a half-built house. I recognized it instantly as his house. He set me on my feet and turned around with his arms spread out.

“What do you think?”

“I didn’t realize you had already started building it.” I stepped toward it. The property it was on was stunning. It was a large, grassy field surrounded by large birch trees. To the left of the house was a large pond with birds floating on the surface. I inched forward as my gaze tried to take in everything at once.

“I was going to work on it a little bit. Do you want to hang out with me while I do?”

“Yes.” I nodded.

He grabbed my hand and pulled me toward the steps that led to the doorway. Haden had the floor down, and the frames for the walls were up. The roof was on, and he had some walls on the outside finished.

“So, when you walk in, there will be a pretty foyer with lots of windows so the sun can filter in. To the left will be a big sitting room.” He pulled me to the right. “This will be the dining area and a huge kitchen that has a view of the pond.”

Haden turned to me to see my reaction. His eyes gleaming with excitement.

“This is going to be such a beautiful home, Haden.” I smiled at him before dropping his hand and walking in a small circle, admiring the work he had done already. I ran my hand over the cabinets he was making in the kitchen. He was talented. Haden moved a makeshift stool over to me so I could sit. He reached in the bag of pastries and handed me one of them. I grabbed it and took a bite.

“Gods, that’s fucking good.” I groaned and took another bite.

Haden laughed softly as he ate one too. He kept glancing at me without saying anything. His eyes drifted over my outfit, and I shrank back slightly. Did he like the way I looked?

“What?”

“I like the dresses you wear,” he said softly. “Even though they are far fancier than any maid I know could afford.”

I stilled at his accusation. He started working on the cabinets, but he kept looking at me, waiting for me to say something.? Great, he knew I was lying about my job.

“I’m not a maid.”

“I know, Ardella.” He laughed. “Why’d you lie?”

“Because I didn’t know what to say.” That was the truth of it all. I had no idea how to tell someone I was a goddess. Would they even believe me if I said that to them?

“How about the truth?”

“The truth feels complicated, and I worry that you won’t believe me.”

Haden stopped whatever he was doing to the cabinet and looked at me. He frowned slightly before continuing.

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