Page 91 of Hateful Prince
I still wasn’t hungry, but I knew I needed the food. So when he did the same thing with the second little tree, I allowed it. Although I laughed out loud when he came at me with the piece of fried chicken. I heard Sorcha gag from somewhere to my right as I took the offered bite. I blindly flipped her off. I’d take deep-fried Foghorn Leghorn over her DNA juice any day.
“There, good girl. Do you feel better?” Kai asked, brushing a tendril of hair behind my ear.
“No.”
His expression was tender, but I could see the worry line between his brows deepen. He was trying so hard, and I felt like such an ass.
“I’ll be fine. I just need to let the anxiety run its course. It’s like this sometimes.”
He nodded. “Is it just the idea of the gala in general, or did something else bring it on?”
“You’ve been spending too much time with Dr. Masterson.”
He chuckled. “I have been here a while.”
“To answer your question, I’m not sure. But I think it might have something to do with what happened the last time I was at a big event. Namely, killing everyone and then magically bringing them back. Or did I hallucinate the whole thing? I never did figure out what happened that night.”
“Take a breath, okay? You’re spinning yourself in circles. I’m here, holding your hand. I’m not leaving. You’re not going to kill anyone.”
God, I wished I could believe him.
“Come on. Let’s get you upstairs. A nice bath and a massage will do wonders for you. And if not, then I’ll be there with you, and we can weather the storm together.”
Tears filled my eyes and I nodded. “That sounds really nice.”
He took my hand and led me away from the pile of food I hadn’t eaten and the dining room filled with people who could never understand my trauma. I let him. And honestly, I loved him for it.
Chapter
Twenty-Nine
KAI
Hands laden with a tray filled with food, I came through Dahlia’s door and found her awake and sitting up on her bed. She’d fallen asleep shortly after her bath, giving me a window to run out and ensure she didn’t miss another meal. But now her laptop was in front of her, and she was typing away.
She peeked over at me in surprise. “I’d thought I’d run you off.”
“Never, gem. I come bearing gifts.”
“I see that.”
The glimmer in her eyes sent a shot of pride through me. I’d done that. I’d made her happy.
“What are you working on now?” I asked.
“It’s an epic grovel. One of the heroes really fucked up. He’s begging for forgiveness.”
I quirked a brow, intrigued. I had nae intention of ever needing to grovel, but having access to her idea of a proper one seemed like something I should take advantage of. Just in case the need ever arose.
“And how does he do that?”
Her laughter was infectious and made me chuckle in response. “Taking notes?”
“Maybe. Though if I ever need to beg your forgiveness, I would hope as your fated mate, I’d know how without question.”
She eyed the tray in my hands. “Something tells me you’re probably going to be just fine, dragon boy.”
“I brought you dinner.”