Page 52 of His Lost Lycan Luna

"You don't like Ester?" I ask Ivy, and she looks at me before shaking her head.

"No, she is fine. I just don't know her very well," Ivy answers when the guard clears his throat. I glance at him. So does Ivy, and he nods to her. Clearly, something is going on I’m unaware of.

I will have to find out when we get back, but something tells me she is lying. And that doesn’t sit well with me, and if she keeps it up, she will learn, one way or another, not to do it again.

"Ivy..."

She looks up at me. My jaw clenches, and I take a deep breath. I can feel my temper rising. "Do I need to do something about Ester?" I ask her, and she gasps.

Her eyes widen, and she shakes her head. "No, no. She's done nothing wrong," she blurts out, but I hear the way her heart sputters at my question. My eyes go to the guard over her shoulder, and he clenches his jaw.

I don't like being lied to, and it's a trait that I won't tolerate. She'll learn dishonesty has consequences if she keeps it up.

ChapterThirty-Two

IVY

The King leads me downstairs, and I fight the urge to run so I can race to the servant's area to pee; I have been busting all morning. As we step down the last step, Clarice waits with an insulated bag in her hands.

"Good morning, King Kyson," she exclaims cheerfully. She smiles at me, and Damian takes the bags from her.

"I can carry them," I tell him. Beta Damian shakes his head. My brows furrow. I don’t know what to do with myself as the King speaks to the guard that was waiting with Clarice.

I notice the upstairs guard standing behind me when I hear chattering and look up the hall.

Abbie walks out of the billiard room down the corridor, and my eyes light up. I try to run to her when I realize the King has a hold of my hand. Abbie's eyes also brighten as she suppresses her urge to do the same.

I remain still, however, when the King feels a tug on his hand. He glances down at me before bringing my hand to his lips. My eyes widen, and I look away when Clarice smiles at me.

Shouldn't she be scolding me? She scolded Ester for the way she carried on around the King. Here I am, the lowest of the servants, and she smiles and says nothing?

The guards don't even bat an eyelash at his outrageous affections.

"What is it?" the King asks, and I shake my head; only he grips my chin, tilting my face up toward his.

I am pretty sure all the blood runs from my face when he brushes his lips on mine briefly, and dread fills my stomach. There are around twenty guards stationed along the walls! Yet, none move to kill me.

"What is it?" he repeats.

"It's Abbie, my King," Clarice answers for me, and he lets my chin go and looks over my shoulder. He nods to her and lets go of my hand.

"Go see her if you want to before we leave," he answers, and I bounce on my feet. I look at Clarice, who nods to me, letting me know it's alright.

I must look like a child in a candy store with my excitement as I rush toward her. A sob bursts from Abbie's lips when I crash against her, smothering her with my hug. She squeezes tight like she can’t bear to let me go, and I never want her to.

Her hands fussily wipe my tears and mine hers. "I was so worried when I didn't see you for a few days. I thought they got rid of you," she says, holding me at arm's length. I grip her arms when she looks me up and down.

"Where is your uniform?" she questions.

"I have to go with the King somewhere. He told me to wear this."

"You're leaving the castle?"

I nod to her, feeling nervous seeing her nervousness. She also knows it isn’t normal for a rogue to be taken places.

"But you're coming back, right?" she says, and I watch the blood drain from her face. She glances down at my clothes again.

"Yes, I will bring her back, Abbie," the King tells her, and she instantly straightens, letting me go. She bows to him, glancing between us and I feel his chest press against my back while his hand brushes my side.

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