TWENTY-THREE

It was time for me to see Selena.

I had told Conrad where I was headed, another submissive ploy at getting him to trust me.

“Are you sure you’re ready to see her after all this while? After you left, she was heartbroken. She barely left the house. I had to send some of the soldiers to check in on her.”

Ever since I left? Of course he would word it like that. He would refuse to take responsibility. At least he had the decency to see Selena through it. I wondered how angry she must have been at him.

“I’ll be fine, Conrad.” I nodded, waving him goodbye as I walked out into the street.

It was almost as easy to shake everyone’s stares and whispers as it was before. The only thing I found uncomfortable was not knowing what they were saying, this time. The announcement of the mating ceremony had been passed two days ago, right after Conrad had proposed.

I now had three days to make my mark in Conrad’s heart and head, enough for him to not change his mind about the ceremony. I also had