Chapter 124

Chapter 124
I forced a smile, trying to brush it aside. “You don’t know me well enough to make an offer like that. Marriage, politics, protection-it’s a bit much for someone I’ve barely spoken to.”
“Barely spoken to? Darling, you’ve called me in tears, begging for my help. Or have you forgotten so soon?”
His words hung heavily in the moonlight. I looked up at him, trying to gauge his expression. Was he threatening me or just making a point? I couldn’t tell with him.
“That doesn’t mean much, not when it comes to something like a marriage. Agreeing to live with someone you barely know is a bit foolish, don’t you think?”
My mind was reeling at the idea of even entertaining this while I was still married to Nolan, but I knew that wouldn’t matter to Kieran. Whatever was in the past between those two, it was clear they hated each other.
I wasn’t naive enough to think that wasn’t a factor in his proposal. If he could win me over it would hurt Nolan’s pride, and I knew he would find satisfaction in that.
Then there was the matter of the twins. Kieran had no idea he was making this offer to a mother. If I were to seriously consider this, it would mean revealing the truth about my children to him.
That was a risk I wasn’t willing to take. Their existence needed to be guarded in order to protect them.
Even so, I knew that couldn’t last forever. They were only babies now, keeping them happy and safe at home was easy. As they grew, that wouldn’t be possible. They would need a safe home that would afford them protection.
I knew that they would have that in Moonstone, but was it something Kieran could offer as well?
Kieran’s lips curved, but there was no humor in his smile. “That’s exactly why I want the chance to know you better.”
I raised a brow. “That sounds dangerously close to a date.”
“Good,” he said without hesitation. “Because that’s what I’m asking for. One evening. Just you and me. No politics, no audiences, no rumors. Let me prove that I’m serious.”
I laughed, partly out of nerves. “You’re persistent.”
“When something matters, I don’t give up.” He stepped closer, not enough to crowd me, but enough that I could feel the quiet intensity radiating off him. “Think of it as research, if you must. You’ll see who I am beyond the speeches and the titles. And I’ll see the woman behind the messenger.”
For a moment, I didn’t know what to say. Part of me wanted to scoff, to shut him down and walk away. But another part-the part still bruised from Nolan’s coldness, from always being reminded of what I wasn’t-was
curious.
“Let me guess,” I said finally, aiming for a light tone. “You take every woman who might help your political career on a date?”
His smile deepened, slow and deliberate. “No. Only the one’s who matter.”
The words sent an unwelcome flutter through me, and I hated that he noticed the slight hitch in my breath. I turned back toward the path, needing to put space between us.
“I’ll think about it,” I said over my shoulder, making my voice firm.
“That’s all I ask.” His reply was smooth, satisfied, like he already knew I wouldn’t be able to push the thought
1/2
Chapter 124
aside.
+25 Bonus
And maybe he was right, because as I walked back toward the palace, I realized my mind was already racing ahead -wondering if I should take him up on it, if only to test how serious he really was.
Marriage was out of the question. But one date?
One date couldn’t hurt.
Could it?