Page 48 of Secrets & Curses of Fate

It was painfully silent between the two of them. I walked just a few feet behind them and watched closely for any indication that they were a couple. I wanted to respect his choices, but I would kill her if they were together. No one was taking him from me. He was mine.

“Did you really see a woman?”

Haden paused slightly before continuing to walk. I perked up at the topic of conversation.

“Yes.” Fuck, I couldn't believe even his voice was the same. The heavens heard me and listened. My chest squeezed tightly with appreciation. I had missed that sound so damn much. Haden glanced over his shoulder and smirked slightly to himself.

He knew I was watching.

Kira crinkled her nose at him without him noticing. My anger surfaced. Why was she looking at him like he was crazy? When he glanced at her, she put a fake smile on her face.

“Something is wrong with me, isn’t there?” he asked her.No, you are perfect.“As if I needed more of a reason to be an outcast.”

His comment made me hesitate for a moment. Haden was an outcast, and I wanted to know why. How couldhebe an outcast? Fae here obviously had no taste or sensibility.

“Well, maybe your father hit you a little too hard.” She shrugged. His father hit him. My eyes burned pure white at this news. It did not cross my mind that his new family would be cruel. Kira acted as if this was normal and completely fine, but Iwould rip his father’s hands from him if he hurt Haden. I prayed to the stars that he did not have a cruel life this time.

“Yeah, maybe.” He rubbed the back of his neck and glanced around. “I’ve never seen anyone before, so maybe it was just a one-time thing.” I saw him frown as if the thought made him sad. How long would it take for the mate bond to snap into place for him? Was it instant, or would it take a while?

“Was she pretty?” Kira asked with an edge of jealousy.

“The woman in my mind?” Haden laughed. She nodded. He was oblivious that she liked him. “Very pretty.”

“Hmmm.” Kira crossed her arms over her chest and looked away. I was smiling brightly behind them because Haden said I was very pretty.

“You know, Liam asked for my hand in marriage.” Kira glanced at him. Okay, I didn’t like the way she was staring at him. It’s obvious he didn’t want her.

“Congratulations.” Haden smiled genuinely.

“I told him no.” Kira’s shoulders were tense and uncomfortable as she watched Haden’s reaction.

“Why would you do that?”

She swallowed hard.

“I don’t know; I thought maybe someone better would come along and notice me.”

“He is the highest nobility in the village.” Haden looked completely oblivious that she was talking about him.

“Bloodlines and rank aren’t the most important things.”

“Yes, they are. You like fancy things, and you will want a mate who can provide everything for you. As someone who grew up with nothing, trust me when I tell you that you do not want to worry about where your next meal will come from. Love is not enough to survive that.”

My gaze drifted over Haden. His clothing was ripped and torn. His boots were falling apart on his feet. Guilt clawed at me. Mymate was not well taken care of. I would change that once I got the courage to talk to him. I would make sure he had everything and wanted for nothing.

“I was thinking that maybeyoumight be interested in me?” Kira spoke boldly to Haden. I was tense as I watched confusion, and something else, cross his features. If he admitted he wanted her, she was dying tonight.

“Me…” he said slowly. “Kira, I do not have feelings for you.”

Instantly, Kira turned beet red as anger took over her pretty face. Her hands fisted at her sides. I let out a heavy breath filled with relief.

“Why not?” She demanded an answer. “I’m noble. I’m pretty. Any guy in the village would beg for my time.”

Okay, conceited much? I scoffed as I watched Haden’s reaction to see if he was lying about his feelings for her. A cold indifference flickered in his eyes for just a moment. Oh, that was new; he looked pissed. The flash of anger made a chill run down my spine.

“I don’t know.” Haden dismissed how angry she became. “I just don’t.”

“Fine, it's not like you could afford to keep someone like me anyways.” She shook her head, making her copper hair sway behind her. Haden’s face let me know that she had hit him with an insecurity.This bitch. I was not letting anyone treat him poorly.

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