Chapter 285


    Chapter 0285


    “It’s simply difficult to talk about,” I said as an excuse. It wasn’t a lie. Answering the King’s demand


    about Terry was difficult, though not entirely for the reasons he might have thought.


    His mouth pressed into a hard line. I couldn’t tell if he believed me or not. “Do the best you can.’


    I took onest moment in a lengthy inhale, gathering my thoughts. Then I started speaking.


    I mentioned everything that had happened with Terry and me, all while talking around the existence of


    my sister. I even included the time Terry had slipped something into my champagne and tried to take


    advantage of me, though I needed a breather after that one.


    The King listened quietly as I exined Julian’s suspicions that Terry had been working for the


    underground organization, which led to our exploration of the tunnels. And the confirmation of Terry’s


    involvement, by reaching the room with the cages.


    “This tunnel is still there?” the King said, suddenly on alert.


    “Nichs demanded it be sealed, Your Majesty. To my knowledge, it is still so.”


    The King rxed marginally. “I will ask him about it. Continue.”


    I continued on, talking about thetest event and Terry’s unwee flirtations. I told him about the


    letter we found, and ended with my near assault and timely rescue.


    The King listened quietly until I finished. Then, he crossed his arms. “That is all?”


    “As of now, Your Majesty.”


    The King paused a moment, as if collecting his thoughts. Then he said, “You are withholding the full


    truth.”


    My breath caught in my throat, but I didn’t dare argue with the King – especially when that argument


    would be based on a lie..


    In truth, I was keeping things from him. Big things. Like everything to do with my sister.


    “Terry is a flirtatious sort,” the King said. “He always has, but this feels like something more. He’s


    practically obsessed with you. The King shook his head. “Terry’s tastes are fleeting. A woman rarely


    holds his interest for more than a single event, and even then I would question it. But you are saying he


    continues to hunt you down.” I swallowed down the rising lump in my throat. Did he not believe me that


    his brother-in-w could be so terrible? “I assure you, he has done these things, Sir.” The King lifted his


    hand and waved away my concerns. “I did not mean to imply otherwise,” he said. “What I don’t


    understand is why he would feel this attraction towards you. You are a pretty enough girl, but no


    striking beauty. And your blood makes youmon, with no rare breeding.”


    I grit my teeth. While I wanted to exin to the King that Terry’s behavior did not need. reason, I dared


    not speak against the King. Not if I wanted to stay in thepetition. So I pushed down my growing


    outrage and let him continue uninterrupted.


    “You are not wealthy. You have no great influence. You don’t even have a wolf. No, as far as anyone


    can tell, you are utterly insignificant.” Tilting his head, the King looked at me like I was a puzzle with


    missing pieces. “So why would my brother-inw take such a relentless fascination with you?”


    The truth, I knew, was his obsession with wanting to possess me as he had his sister.


    I couldn’t say that, so I didn’t say anything.


    The King rounded the couch and came closer to me. “I don’t like when secrets are kept from me, Piper.


    I am King. I should know all.”


    “Yet you are ignorant to the ways of your own brother-inw,” said Julian, suddenly in the doorway.


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    Nathan scurried past him. “I tried to stop him, Your Majesty. I’m terribly sorry.”


    The King sighed, some of his aggression slipping away into weariness. “It’s fine. Speak your mind,


    Julian. I know you will regardless. You might as well have my permission.”