The Hidden Luna Queen

Chapter 94

MAEVE POV

My mind ran awhirl the entire drive home. That day was turning out to be far more eventful than I'd ever expected. Even as I left the car and strolled up the stairs to reach the front door, I couldn't help but wonder about my baby, mull over today's lesson, worry about Eric...

It was exhausting, and to be honest, all I wanted to do was go to bed.

I turned the handle and opened the grand door, fully expecting to just wander inside, but, to my surprise, I bumped into what felt like a solid wall.

"Oh-!" I gasped, thrown off-balance by the sudden motion until strong, sturdy arms wrapped around my back, steadying me.

And then, again catching me by surprise, the wall-as well as my savior-turned out to be none other than my handsome and regal fiancé, who looked somewhat equally stunned by what just happened.

This time, my breath was stolen for an entirely different reason.

Oh, how I could look at him all day...

"Well, what are the odds of that?" Xaden quipped, rubbing his thumbs along my waist. "Here I was, wondering where you've been all morning, only to have you fall into my arms the second I walk out the door."

I felt a little warm with embarrassment. "Sounds like just a coincidence to me."

*So it seems," he murmured, pressing a tender kiss to my forehead. "And if it weren't for another coincidence, we wouldn't have found each other in the first place. Would you call that a coincidence, too?"

I scrunched my fingers into his jacket, trying my best to ignore Burke awkwardly shuffling his way around us. Frankly, I had trouble focusing on a single word he was saying after the day I'd had.

"Uh.... what?" I asked dumbly.

A low sound rumbled in his chest, vibrating throughout my body. "It's nothing," he said. "I wish I could talk more, but I actually have an errand to run. I'll be back before long."

And just like that, he was gone, leaving me all alone in the doorway of our home. I had no idea what was going on and, frankly, didn't have the energy to think about anything anymore.

I really should go take a nap.

XADEN POV

It was silent in the car until I cleared my throat. "She didn't seem at all suspicious, did she?"

Burke was unfazed by the question. "Not at all, Prince Xaden," he answered without a shred of doubt, while typing something into his phone.

*This has to be special." I began to fidget with the hem of my coat. I focused on everything-the dust particles floating in the air, the trees whooshing past as the car drove through the capital, the sunrays gently beaming through the closed windows-and nothing all at once. "I want to be able to surprise her."Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDrâ/ma.O(r)g!

"I assure you, she'll be very surprised by the gesture. Any lady would be. Even if she somehow thought you were up to something, I would bet every single cent I have that she'd never expect you to return with an engagement ring."

It was long overdue but something I couldn't put off a second longer.

Maeve needed a ring.

And she would be wearing one before the day ended.

When I stayed silent, Burke looked at me very carefully before a knowing grin spread across his face. "Could it be that you're nervous?"

"Nervous?" I scoffed. "What could I possibly have to be nervous about? We're already a few steps ahead of the curve. We live together," I said, counting off my fingers, "we're expecting a baby, and we have a date for our mating ceremony,"

Even with all of my sound logic, however, Burke remained unconvinced, staring at me with a rather deadpan expression.

"I'm serious. A ring is..." I muttered, "nothing."

His grin only deepened. "You can't fool me. I know you like the back of my hand, Xaden."

That knowing look he wore irritated me, and what pissed me off even further was the fact that he was completely correct.