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Her tension eased significantly, though she still felt a void late at night when she was alone in her cottage The house seemed emptier than nor, one she’d experienced after her parents’ deaths One she kneould eventually ebb To an extent, at any rate

She played cards with Lisette at the tavern when she wasn’t serving drinks Lisette had beco to do with the older wo to keep tabs on her, just like everyone else Even Michael seemed to watch her more closely

Apparently, she gave off a vibe that intrigued or alarmed her friends, she wasn’t sure which Maybe it was because she wasn’t as uptight as she’d been previously, when she’d realized she was being followed Or perhaps it was the occasional smile that crossed her lips for no reason at all—at least none that they knew of Thoughts of Darien would flit through her mind and she couldn’t help the thrill that chased down her spine At night, when she was alone in her living room, she wore his necklace

Granted, there was soed in when half of her heart was elated to know he had such strong feelings for her and the other was shredded by the fact they couldn’t be together Yet she’d spent so nificant and sexy secret she kept to herself offered escapishts

Darien wanted her She didn’t doubt that for a second He couldn’t have her, of course But still… Just knowing she’d affected him so profoundly had its own provocative impact on her

Near theapproached, Jade heard horses tra hat sounded to be a wagon atteh the thick drifts She peered out one of the large front s, looking around the lightweight curtains hanging over the panes Her curiosity grew as she opened her front door and greeted Morgan

“In the village for supplies?” she asked as she eyed the burlap covering a heap in the wagon She knew the kingdom had its own suppliers and vendors, so she was at a loss as to what he was up to—until he spoke

“No Making a delivery” He slipped fronaled the deo back inside where it’s warm? We’ll just be a few minutes”

“H to remain secretive, I see”

“Do I have pere?” he asked “Just me”

“Neither you nor the king are required to ask per so Yes” She returned to the sofa where she’d been reading Alice in Wonderland, though her focus wasn’t on the text A flurry of activity ensued around her in such a lightning-quick way she couldn’t have kept up with it if she’d tried

True to his word, Morgan was finished not even ten minutes later and appeared by her side “Why don’t you come have a look?”

She joined him outside, where his assistant had stacked at least three cords of wood adjacent to the cottage He’d also erected a canopy to provide shelter so the provisions stayed dry

“Wow,” she said “That will last me quite some time Thank you both”

Gazing at the large pile caused a long-buried memory to inch toward the front of her ift before Years and years ago…