The Truth....

Damian

"Resign the crown to Conrad?" I asked with a confused look on my face. Miranda knew that wasn't an option, and even doing so wouldn't help me in any way. Conrad would only see my people as traitors, and I was certain he was going to make them pay for supporting his enemies. He would likely make them slaves, or at worst execute them all.

Miranda shrugged, "it's the most I can think of right now. I'm not used to solving conflicts, what I do is heal victims of conflict."

I had an idea, but for it to work, Miranda would have to break her truce of neutrality. It was definitely a wild request, but it was the only thing I could think of at the moment.

"I have a better idea, but you're the only one who could possibly pull this off." I started, and Miranda's curiosity was immediately piqued. Her eyes widened in expectation, and I wasted no time in laying out my suggestion. "I want you to assassinate Conrad."

"Damian!!" She screamed out in horror, her mouth wide in shock. "You know very well that I cannot do that! I'll be hanged!" She protested.

"Not when you have my protection. I'll save you from any judgment. It's the life of one man against thousands." I reasoned, but Miranda wasn't exactly convinced, it didn't even look like she was considering my words. That was until I laid out a possibility for her. "You'd be saving your sisters as well. You're not even sure if Conrad would let your people live when he takes over. You're here because of me, I'll always be with you and your people—"

"I'm sorry, but I can't do it." Miranda finished, and before I could say one more word, she became one with the air.

With a weary sigh, I returned to the room and met Hayley moving the tray of food to the side.

"Was there a problem? You two seemed to have spoken for a while." Hayley pointed out, but I was quick to wave her off.

"It's nothing, it's just some issues that we were yet to settle, but it's fine now." I answered before closing the distance between the two of us. I wrapped my hands around her, and planted a kiss on her neck. She quivered under my touch, but was strong enough to not give in to her shaky knees. She was getting more confident around me, and I was happy with the growth.

"So do you like Miranda?" I inquired before kissing her neck once more.

"I won't be able to speak if you keep doing this." Hayley teased and I smiled at her first attempt at a joke. "Miranda is nice, she's a sweet girl, but it seems she might be in love with you."

I froze momentarily at the mention of those words, and Hayley seemed to have noticed my sudden involuntary pause.

"Why do you think she likes me? Did she tell you that?" I inquired, and Hayley waved her head sideways to reply.

"Not exactly, I could just tell. She wouldn't stop praising you, and her eyes were always so lit up when she spoke about you. Did you two have an affair in the past?"

Hayley was a lot more socially and emotionally aware than I had imagined, and this was proof of that. She was smart, and her ability to read subtle changes in people was probably due to her past experiences at the Blue Rose pack. Since she was a slave, it was crucial to understand simple emotions and body language, that way it was easier to avoid getting into trouble.

I reasoned for a while, unsure of what to tell her. It was probably best to tell her the truth now that I had the chance, but at the same time I didn't want her to think that there was still something going on between Miranda and I.

"We did have a short affair in the past, but we're done now. She's only here to help, and nothing else. The only woman in my life is you Hayley, and I want it that way." I answered before kissing her neck a third time. Her body temperature rose by a centigrade in response to my third kiss, and I felt her breasts harden under the weight of my hands.

"I..I also want you to be the only man in my life." She said shyly before trying to break free from my grip. I didn't release her, I pulled her even closer and began to decorate her neck with kisses. There was no need for her to be shy with me, she was my wife now, and I wanted her to know that.

"Damian..." She breathed out. It was a moan, one that brought out her innermost desires. "Not now.." she voiced out, and I immediately paused.

"What's wrong, you don't like it?" I inquired while I rubbed her shoulders gently.

"It's not that, it's just that I'm still not myself." She explained, and only then did I realize that she had just regained consciousness today. Her body probably wasn't fully healed yet.

"I'm so sorry." I apologized immediately, but she was quick to brush it off with a smile. Speaking of injuries, I was reminded of the discovery that Miranda had made. I wondered if I should tell her about it, chances were that she already knew, I really couldn't be sure. After much contemplation, I decided it was probably best to tell her now. There was no use keeping secrets, and it was best to be transparent with one another.

"Have you ever heard about the Forgers?" I asked, and Hayley turned with a confused look on her face. The sudden change of subject didn't make much sense to her, but she chose to answer anyway.

"Yes, I think everybody knows about them.." she answered.

"Did you ever get to know your family?" I continued, and this time her expressions changed. Sadness was clear in her eyes, and I suddenly felt bad for breaking this up. She clearly didn't know about her family, and I had only opened old wounds with that question of mine.

I kissed her gently and hugged her a little tighter. "I didn't mean to hurt you, I'm sorry." I apologized before planting another kiss on her forehead. Perhaps now was not the time to tell her about it. She clearly was still vulnerable to these types of conversations, I would tell her the truth when she had grown a little stronger.