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His lips pinched in a hardline. “He’s… taking some time on his own for a little.”

“What did he say… when you spoke?”

It was hard to believe so much had happened in such a short amount of time. There were a couple of big bombshells he could drop on me.

He studied me for a moment before he spoke. “He told me about your trip.”

“He did?”

He nodded. “Look, I’m not going to lie. The fact you’re a princess on the run from the dark Queen… it makes me a little nervous.”

Ok. So he told him the truth about who I am. Check.

He continued. “With that said, I also can’t just turn you out.”

I exhaled in relief.

“But.”

I hated buts… well, not men’s butts. Round. Hard and squishy at the same time. I fussed at myself. Focus Snow, this was serious.

“You have to tell the others tonight. They will get a vote.”

I nodded.

“It could bring attention to our house that we don’t want and everyone should get a say.”

“I understand.”

“If it's worth anything to you, I have enjoyed having you around. I’ve grown rather fond of you.”

I smiled as worry caused a pit to form in my stomach.

He lightly touched my knee and looked at me. I felt a fire flash inside my eyes before he stood and walked out.

“Hey,” I called after him.

He stopped and turned around.

“Is he ok? Gage?”

He nodded and walked over to me, like he realized he forgot to say something. “Also, let’s not mention what you saw today… with Gage.”

My brow furrowed.

“It’s not something he wants the others to know.”

“But you do?”

He nodded. “I found him.”

“You found him?”

“Yes. He’d been abandoned by his family when he was eight and had to survive on his own in the woods. I found him a few years later, but those years he was alone were rough on him. The things he had to do.” He shook his head. “He knew he could trust me, but getting him to open up at all was, and is, nearly impossible.”

I nodded.

“He sees himself as a monster and has tried to hide who he is for so long. He doesn’t want the others to see him that way.” He laughed, “An asshole he is ok with, a monster…”