All Chapters of Barren? Honey, I'm Just Getting Started: Chapter 31 - Chapter 40

- WILLOWWhen I woke up the next morning, bright golden sunlight was pouring through the curtains of the bay window. The air in the room smelled of crisp mountain pine and freshly brewed black tea.I sat up, stretching my back until my spine popped, feeling more rested than I had in five whole years.Maisy was already bustling around near the vanity, setting down a silver tray with a steaming teapot, two warm scones, and a small folded note resting beside a porcelain cup."Morning, my Lady," Maisy said with a bright smile. "How did you sleep?""Like I was dead," I said, rubbing my eyes and swinging my legs over the side of the bed. "What's that paper?""Message from His Grace," Maisy said, handing me the small folded card. "He stopped by twenty minutes ago, but he didn't want me to wake you. He said to get dressed and meet him at the West Conservatory as soon as you're ready."I unfolded the thick card stock. Noah's dark, sharp handwriting was short and straight to the point: Mother is

- WILLOWMy mother looked right at Noah with unmistakable authority. "Not a word of this leaves this room, Noah. Not to the council, not to the palace guards, not even to Maisy. If anyone asks, Willow is my new private companion, personally appointed by me.""Understood," Noah said, standing up and brushing off his slacks. "I've already posted my personal unit at the entrance to the glasshouse. Nobody comes in here without my direct seal.""Good," she said, pulling me closer against her side on the couch. "Now, go deal with your kingdom, Noah. My daughter and I have twenty years of gossip to catch up on."Noah chuckled, rolling his eyes as he walked toward the heavy glass doors. "Don't tire her out, Willow. The physician will have my head if her blood pressure spikes again.""Get out of here, big brother," I tossed back with a grin as he turned his back and closed the door.Lady Josephine rested her head against the back of the velvet couch, still holding my hand tight in hers. She loo

- WILLOWBy two in the afternoon, my legs were sore as hell from sparring with Noah, but sitting in the warm West Conservatory made up for it. The sun was beaming straight through the glass roof, lighting up the white roses and filling the air with the smell of sweet tea and fresh rain.I was sitting on the velvet sofa, leaning back with a porcelain cup in my hand, while my mother sat right beside me, braiding a piece of my hair."You really kicked Noah in the knee?" she asked, her blue eyes dancing with amusement as she tucked a dark strand behind my ear."Slammed my heel right into his joint," I grinned, taking a careful sip of the hot chamomile. "He stumbled back two full steps, Mom. His painful face was priceless."Lady Josephine let out a light, airy laugh that warmed my entire chest. "Good. He was getting far too arrogant with those private sparring lessons. Your late father used to think he was indestructible too, right until I dropped him during our first pack tournament.""Wai

- WILLOWMaisy was taking her job way too seriously.It was eight in the morning, and she was already humming a loud tune while balancing a folded pile of lavender silk sheets, two heavy wool blankets, and a brass tray of silver polish on one hip. I was dragged right behind her down the back corridor, carrying a stack of my own fresh cotton shirts and trying not to trip over the long hem of my apron."We have to set up your primary station in the West Conservatory ante-room," Maisy said, turning on her heel without dropping a single spoon. "Lady Josephine prefers her morning tea served at seven-thirty sharp, but since you’re her private caretaker, King Noah said you get direct access to the side kitchen. You don't even have to pass the main staff hall.""That's great, Maisy," I muttered, shifting the clothes in my arms. "Seriously. Less stairs, less people staring at my boots.""Oh, people are still staring," Maisy chuckled, tossing her dark braids over her shoulder as we reached the

- WILLOWMy thumb hovered over the screen of the black palace phone for five full seconds before I tapped the encrypted contact icon.It buzzed twice, and Noah picked up on the third ring. "Report.""Maisy gave me a tip," I said, keeping my voice low as I leaned against the doorframe of the empty ante-room. "Ronin’s men let a group of southern messengers through the east service gate around midnight. No names logged. They had southern pack brands on their forearms."A heavy and cold silence stretched over the line for a second."I'll have my personal unit sweep the east tower," Noah said, his tone turning sharp and clinical. "Stay in the west wing tonight, Willow. Keep an eye on the corridor leading to the Conservatory, but don't go chasing any shadows yourself.""Got it," I said, disconnecting the call before slipping the device back into my legging pocket.Sleep didn't happen after that. By four-thirty in the morning, my head was spinning so fast with thoughts of Ronin, Callum, and