RYKER'S POV

It was a wonder how Camilla could keep a secret of this magnitude. It had only been a few days and yet I badly needed someone to talk to about it but I couldn't. I had promised to keep her secret until we could find proof that put her fears to rest. I still didn't completely understand it but with Camilla, I barely understood. I had learned over the years to just go with it and hope that it made sense by the time we came out on the other side.

“You called for me.” Christine announced as she walked into my office. I gestured for her to lock the door and her brows furrowed in confusion but she did as I asked. “Is everything alright with Camilla? Does she need something?” “It isn’t about Camilla,” although it was but I couldn't tell her that. “I need you to do a deep dive on Peggy and Marie. Find out whatever you can without them knowing. Send spies back to their village and get as much information on them as possible.”

Her brows rose. “Is there a certain reason for this or is this an order that I cannot question.”

In the months where Camilla was gone, I had grown closer to Christine than I would have imagined and in that moment, I wanted to damn everything to hell and tell her what was going on but I noticed something under my door it was a shadow, as if someone had situated themselves outside. It was barely noticeable and if I wasn’t on edge, I probably would not have noticed. I held my hand to my lips and quietly walked over to the door.

Once I was there, I pulled it open quickly and I noticed Marie walking past my office. She turned to me and gave me: warm smile as if she hadn't just been snooping. I could feel Christine behind me as she came over to investigate. “Hello, Ryker,” Marie curtsied slightly, her smile never dropping.

“Were you just passing by?” I asked and she nodded.

“Il wanted to go out for some fresh air, the palace tends to be a bit overwhelming sometimes,” she chuckled softly. “I wouldn't want to keep you, I should be going.”

“Perhaps I should get a guard to go with you, so you don’t get lost.”

She shook her head almost too quickly. “I will be fine. I wouldn't want to bother anyone or have them babysitting me when there are more important things that they could do with their time.”

“It would be an honor for any of the guards to watch over the Queen's own visitors,” Christine cut in and Marie went silent when she realized we were not going to drop this. She nodded simply but I could tell that she wasn't pleased. “A guard will meet you at the front gate and they will make sure to watch over you safely.”

Ryker, and you too, Christine,” with one final curtsy, she turned on

until her figure had completely retreated that Christine finally spoke. “I take it that it has something to do with that” I didn’t bother denying, I just nodded. “Does Camilla know about this? She

tell that this entire situation was taking a toll on Christine. She deserved to know and it wasn't my place to tell her but I was going to do my best to convince Camilla to do so herself.

“You have to be discreet about this. I don't want anyone figuring out what is happening. Also,” I dropped my voice to a whisper. “be careful about what you say and where you say it. I may have caught her now

and she nodded. “I will get that information as quickly as possible. The

shoulder! but I couldn't bring myself to say the words. Camilla was still my mate and I owed her

she gave me a sad smile as

to thank

have the conversation. She looked shocked to see me but I grabbed her arm and

the maids looking at us with varying looks of amusement and curiosity but I couldn't care less about any of them as I led her up the stairs. Once we were at

talk to me instead of pulling me around like a rag doll?” she asked once I let go of her arm. “l would have agreed

sorry if I hurt you by pulling you around,” she waved me off

about and she was very quick to shake her head. I reached out for her but she took a step back holding her hand out to stop me. I knew I was going to

“Camilla-"

too. I don’t want to, Ryker and please do not make me look like the bad

you because she thinks you don’t remember her. You know how she is, she doesn’t know how to start over. She is trying but she is hurting,

she was because she expelled a heavy breath of air. “I want to tell her, I swear, I do but I can’t. Do I just go up to her

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