Page 119 of Trove’s Purpose

“How long…?”

“I already set everything up. So, it should only take a tenday or two.”

Chee let out a long, shuddered breath. She thought she had cried everything out already, but she had to resist the urge to break out into tears again. It was easier to do this time and, with a couple grounding breaths, she calmed herself back down.

“Thank you, Hyde.”

“No, thank you, Chee. You’ve done a greater service for me than you can imagine.”

She smiled. “Cool. Does that make us friends?”

He laughed. “A friend? I can’t remember the last time I had a friend.”

“All the more reason to have one now.”

“You’re precious. Yes. We are friends.”

Chee beamed, hands behind her back. “Yay. Thanks again, Hyde. Erm, where did Trove go?”

He paused for a moment before answering. “He’s returned to your room. The others are enjoying the facilities in the manor.”

She nodded. “Okay. I have to… I have to talk to him.”

“Yes, he did seem unhappy. You should probably explain.”

“Yeah. I’ll see you later, Hyde.”

Waving at him, she walked away and down the stairs. She didn’t quite break into a jog, but she did walk quickly. She knew this manor well. She’d explored it when she had been living here before, waiting for Hyde to send her out to meet up with the others. The halls, though bright and beautiful and well decorated, felt empty.

The flowers were still being planted the last time she was here. She had seen a few things that were new outright. He was building this manor up. It had been pretty before, but it was like Hyde was preparing for something.

But that wasn’t for her to worry about. The only thing she was worried about was Trove and that look of angry betrayal on his face.

The room was dim again. Not just because the lights were off, but he’d had the curtains that covered the windows pulled. They were mostly shut. Only a single sliver of light continued to break through, and it cut across the center of the room.

It was like a wall between her and Trove when she stepped inside. He was on the other side of it, sitting in a chair, flipping through one of her books. He couldn’t read it since they were in English, but he was lazily turning the page. He didn’t look up at her when she came in.

The door shut, locking them in silence. Chee waited, giving him a chance to talk. To yell at her if he wanted. But he said nothing. And after a long minute of strained quiet, she swallowed nervously and started herself.

“I’m sorry.”

“What for?” He asked immediately, voice cold.

“For not telling you.”

He shut the book with a snap. She saw the glow of his eyes through the light as he looked at her. His expression was tight.

“You knew you were my mate. From the beginning.”

She nodded.

“Before you even met me.”

“Well, honestly, I wasn’t sure I believed it. Hyde told me that it was very likely, but there was a small chance he could be wrong. He was fairly certain though, so he was willing to bet on it.”

“You were willing to fuck me for payment.”

“No!” She declared immediately, hands closing into fists at her side. “That’s not what this is.”