Chapter 57

Nolan worked with his staff through the afternoon and met Yena in the late evening for dinner. It had been a while since they dined together in their dining room, instead of having food sent up to their bedroom.

She was waiting for him. Wearing a pretty blue dress that brought out the color in her eyes.

Nolan kissed her. And felt that awful fluttering feeling in his chest.

His breath hitched as they broke apart. He hoped she did not notice.

She asked him how everything was with work. He waved the question off. Not important.

He did want to tell her something she would like to hear.

“The King was impressed with you.”

Yena’s fork clattered onto her plate. “He really said that?”

“Well, I believe his exact words were, that you were clever and well-spoken.”

Her face went red. It did that a lot.

Nolan smiled.

Yena’s regular color returned to her cheeks after she took a long breath.

“That’s wild,” she said. Then she grinned.

“You did a good job, Yena.”

Nolan could tell he did not need to say much more. She was looking into his eyes and she could see how grateful he was for what she had done.

“I’d do anything for you,” she said.

This was so kind. It should have felt good to hear. But Nolan felt a little sting of sadness.

He was not sure he wanted Yena to feel that way about him.

Nolan could feel how much Yena loved him. His wolf did not shut up about it.

The truth was that it scared him. He wanted Yena to have everything she wanted in life. He was afraid that someday she would make a sacrifice for him, and it would cost her too dearly.

Yena said, “I’ve been thinking about that clothing line of yours.”

“My clothing line?” Nolan asked.

“Yeah, the one that you thought up and posted online before I could stop you.” She laughed. “I just wanted to ask you… if you still feel like we should do it?”

Nolan took her hand and gave it a squeeze. “Of course. I meant it when I said I would be your partner in the business.”

“Are you sure? It just seems like Adan is set on causing trouble right now, and maybe you should be focusing on… I don’t know, however you prepare for that.”

Nolan shook his head. “I can do my job, and also make time for you.”

Yena beamed.

“Why don’t you work on getting things started,” he continued, “and then let me know how I can help you.”

“Hmm.” She looked like an idea had just come to her. “That sort of makes me your boss in this business, doesn’t it?”

He looked back at her blankly.

She laughed and gave him a quick kiss.

Then she stood and pulled him up to his feet. Held his hand and started leading him back to their bedroom.

Then a thought came to Nolan.

Not a playful one, like Yena’s.

A bad thought.

If Adan were to declare war tomorrow… if he were to announce a formal strike on Nolan and lay claim to the throne…

Yena would not be able to leave the country.

She could not go study abroad for a semester and then come on back home.

A vision of a new, war-torn world flashed before Nolan’s eyes.

A Lycan princess would already be under scrutiny in the human world. But if she came from a nation at war… she would be an outright liability. A danger to their world.

Humans already saw werewolves as a danger to their world.

The government would never let Yena enroll in university there.

They might even close the borders entirely when Adan declared war.

When. Not if.

There might be one way that Yena could successfully immigrate to the human world.

She would have to leave now. And…

She would have to divorce Nolan.

She would have to leave this life with him behind. If going to the human world was what she really wanted.

Nolan made an excuse to part ways with Yena, saying he just remembered a bit of work that needed his urgent attention.

She looked suspicious of his sudden change of mood.

But she let him go without asking any questions.

YENA

I called Lucy and was happy when she answered quickly.

It seemed like lately she was always busy, texting me that she’d get back to me later and then forgetting.

Lucy answered the phone by shouting, “Yena!”

I laughed. Her cheerfulness was contagious, even after just two seconds on the phone.

“How are you?” I asked. “What have you been up to?”

“Oh, I’ve been so busy, I don’t even know where to start. We should get together soon, though, Yena. Better to catch up in person.”

“Of course. That sounds great. You’re welcome over here any time if you want to hang out in my studio.”

Lucy said, “Uh, yes please! I can’t resist an invitation to the palace.”

“Text me your schedule,” I told her. “And we’ll figure out a good time. I want to show you some drawings.”

“Sounds amazing.”

“Nolan and I are really working on the plus-size clothing line. And I would love for you to help me with it, if you want to be part of the whole thing.”

“Wow,” she said. “That’s incredible, Yena. I’d be honored.”

We chatted a little longer, till Lucy said she had to go.

Then I got wrapped up with drawing for the rest of the evening. I went online, too, and started researching what really went into starting up a clothing line.

I had to cool it with the research after a little while. Some of it made sense. I took notes.

Some of the information, though, made me feel like I was trying to read a different language. Drawing was a lot easier on my brain.

A soft knock on the door brought Rafaela to my attention.

She came over to my desk, smiling mischievously and carrying a shiny red box. She set it down in front of me gingerly and took a few steps back. I humored her and allowed her to stay to watch as I opened the gift.

I would come to regret that choice about thirty seconds later.