Nev felt a cold shiver run through her, and she pulled the blanket up around herself and snuggled close to Wyatt. Feeling warm again, she quickly returned to sleeping deeply.
Wyatt frowned a bit as Nev continued to sleep. Maybe you are more stubborn than me, he thought. Grinning, he teased softly, “Well, that just can’t be allowed.” Wyatt slid a hand down her abdomen as he kissed up her chest and neck. He heard her whimper in protest, which only pushed him to redouble his efforts. He lifted the blanket and slid over the top of her, kissing her lips gently.
Nev’s eyes flashed open. “Can’t you tell when a girl just wants to sleep?” she asked playfully.
“And is that what a girl wants?” Wyatt inquired, raising an eyebrow.
Nev giggled and mused, “Maybe. Perhaps a girl needs your help to make up her mind.”
“That, my dear, can most definitely be arranged,” Wyatt promised as he grinned mischievously. He dove under the blankets with a clear mission to help a girl come to a decision.
Nev began to giggle uncontrollably now, as Wyatt pursued his goal.
Nellis and Addi had just finished a leisurely breakfast when he noticed Addi’s expression of exasperation. “At least they are feeling better,” Nellis offered, chuckling softly.
“Yes, wonderful. But, am I the only one that realizes this little hiatus we’ve been enjoying can’t last forever? One prowler thinking she’s the lost heiress was one thing, but two? And if she is, then what? I mean… if we are planning on taking on the emperor, then maybe we should be spending our mornings doing more than giggling in bed,” Addi argued, feeling frustrated and anxious.
Nellis smiled and moved to stand behind Addi. Rubbing her shoulders gently, he slowly began to feel her relax. For the next many long minutes, Nellis concentrated on helping Addi ignore the sounds from the far bedroom.
Nev and Wyatt eventually appeared and joined Addi and Nellis at the table. “Good morning to the both of you,” greeted Nellis as he sat in the chair beside Addi.
“Yes, someone thought they might want more sleep. Luckily, I was able to convince them otherwise,” Wyatt said, grinning at Nev.
Nev blushed and moved to quickly sit down.
“Honestly, Wyatt,” Addi complained frowning.
“What?” Wyatt asked, trying very hard to sound innocent.
Nev looked at all of them and then took a deep breath. She hadn’t mentioned what Sagrine had said to her in his last moments. Nor had she discussed any of the other horrible things he’d said. At first, Nev had been too injured to say anything. Then she’d just wanted to avoid thinking about it for a few days.
The image she had of her mother for her entire life had been altered in an instant. She wanted to just dismiss what Sagrine had told her and Wyatt, but she couldn’t. Her father’s seemingly innocent words seemed more cryptic now than she had remembered earlier. Sadly, she knew there was at least some truth to what the prowler had said. Nev’s expression grew serious as she contemplated the implications that her mother had not been what she thought.
Wyatt felt Nev’s demeanor change, and he looked at her with concern. They had just had a fun and playful morning. Now, she seemed to be carrying the weight of the world on her shoulders… again. “Nev?” Wyatt asked, his voice worried and gentle.
“I am sorry I didn’t tell you everything earlier, Wyatt. I just… I just wanted a piece of perfect time with you. I know it was selfish, but I don’t regret it,” Nev confessed, looking at Wyatt.
“It’s okay. I wanted the same thing. I guess I was just hoping the piece of time would be a little longer,” Wyatt admitted before leaning over and kissing her lightly.
“What is troubling you, lass?” Nellis asked warmly.
Nev took a deep breath and turned to face Wyatt, looking deeply into his eyes. “First, I need you to know something,” she started to say before Wyatt stopped her.
Cupping her face gently in his hands, Wyatt gazed at her. “You do know you don’t need to explain or apologize for anything he said, right? I know he was just trying to be vile and hurt me. Hurt us,” assured Wyatt.
“I know, but still—I just need you to hear me on this. Please,” Nev pleaded.
Wyatt’s face grew solemn. “Of course, love. Take your time,” he said patiently.
Nodding appreciatively, she sighed softly. “I’ve never been given many choices. It always feels like so much has been decided for me already. Still, I need you to know that no matter what other choices I do make, whether I make them willingly or am forced into them, I will always choose you,” vowed Nev.
Without hesitation, Wyatt pulled her to him and kissed her lovingly. After a few moments, he tilted back and caught her eyes with his. “I never doubted. But thank you. I’ll always choose you too,” Wyatt promised lovingly.
Addi and Nellis both smiled warmly at the two of them. They were both struck by the tenderness of the moment. Even Addi felt no desire to grumble or roll her eyes at them.
Taking a deep breath, Nev nodded and then straightened up in her chair. She knew she’d tackled the easier part of her worries first. Wyatt had been quick to reassure her, but he wasn’t the only thing that pressed on her mind. The truth about her parents hung heavy over her.
Wyatt observed Nev’s relief being consumed by anxiety once again. “Now that all of that is settled. Why don’t you tell us what is really bothering you,” he suggested softly.
“I always thought my mother had sacrificed herself so that my father and I could escape, but now…,” Nev said, taking a deep breath.
Wyatt grabbed her hand
