Page 12 of Tempted By the Forbidden Mate

“The apartment? As in Nico’s apartment? Oh, that simply won’t do. It’s not fit for a female down there.”

“Our apartment is one of the finest in the city,” I add.

“It’s not set up for a female.” Ophelia pulls her nose back like she smells rotten seaweed. I’m not going to go up against the duchess.

Holter laughs.

“I should be with Nico.” Annabelle shifts back on her heels.

“If the duchess thinks you need to stay here, you should stay here. I’ll see that Nico is brought up here.” Holter smiles at Annabelle before turning to Ophelia. “If that’s okay with you, Duchess?”

“That’s perfect with me.”

“Oh, well, thank you.” Annabelle smiles at my mother.

“I’ll go get our things, then.” I move to the door.

“Will you, now?” It’s not a question my mother is asking. “I think only Annabelle’s pod should stay in the room.” The golden feather in Mother’s hair sparkles when she cocks her head at me.

“But Holter can stay here?”

“He is ageminae. He can do what he likes with whatever mermaid wants him. Come, Annabelle. Before you change, I want to show you the rest of the apartment so you know your way around the place. I wouldn’t want you to get lost. But if you do, you can call out to the apartment’s system, and she’ll help you.” Mother holds her hand out to Annabelle, and the two of them glide down the corridor. “Now this is where you can exercise if you...”

After the females turn the corner, I step back into the room. Holter’s damn smirk is cocked to the side, and the damn lighting in here has his light brown hair shining like gold with his light blue eyes. He looks like a muscular cherub. He shrugs at me. “Guess you get the apartment to yourself some more.”

“Fuck you,” I whisper under my breath.

“Not tonight, dear, I’m staying at the duchess’s,” he laughs.

“Where was Alder?”

“Yeah, about that...” Holter shifts back on his heels, and his face drops.

My heart thuds. Alder isn’t old, but he’s also not in the best of health. “Is he okay?”

“He’s in the hospital unit. When he heard theCentauriwas coming in early, he wasn’t watching where he was swimming and got attacked.”

“By what?”

“That’s just it. It doesn’t look natural. He’s still unconscious. But they say he’s going to be okay. I’m going to go back after Nico comes.”

“It shouldn’t be too long before he’s done with the magistrate.” Now I’m mimicking Holter’s stance with my arms crossed over my chest.

“That’s what I was thinking. As soon as Nico is here, I’m going to go check on him.”

I nod. If someone attacked Alder, it won’t end well for them.

6

Annabelle

Glancing over my shoulder, I confirm the guys are gone and I’m alone with the duchess. Her hair is smooth. A layer of golden chains circles her head. Her fingers are heavy with golden rings, a few of them with gems but most pure gold. I can’t help but stare at her. Every detail is perfection. While she floats in her gown, my gown is wearing me. It’s the star. But I can’t imagine that Ophelia Drakos has ever been outshone by a dress, or another person.

“This is where my younger sons lived when they were still at home. They’re gone now.”

“How many children do you have?”

“Fifteen.”

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