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Melvian stood by the door. Anger flared in her glare.

“Melvian!” Isen released an awkward laugh.

“Good afternoon, Captain Hurley,” Melvian’s words were laced with venom as her eyes moved from Isen to Maris yet softened as she looked at her friend. “Good afternoon, Maris.”

“Melvian…” Isen turned into a ball of jitters and nervousness. “This is not what you think.”

Maris’s eyes flew open. Wait! What? Her neck almost snapped as she turned to face Isen and then Melvian.

“I am sorry, Captain Hurley. I came in to check on Maris. She had a horrible day yesterday, and as her healer I wanted to make sure she was all right. I went to search for her in the queen’s chamber, but the queen told me she was here. She didn’t mention she was with you, though.” Melvian grinned an empty smile.

Isen paled further. He turned to Maris and bowed low to her. “I will take my leave. It was wonderful to meet you, Maris Era. I hope we can continue our talk some other time.”

Melvian kneeled to the floor, grabbing a piece of glass. If Maris didn’t know better, it looked like Melvian wanted to stab the captain with it.

As Isen walked to the door, he stopped to look down at Melvian and gave her an awkward yet perfect smile. “Love, it is not what you think. I must speak with you as soon as you can.”

“If you have a headache, you can wait for me in the healer’s chambers, Captain.” She gritted her teeth at the last word.

Isen nodded and turned once again to Maris, bowing before closing the door behind him.

“Melvian?”

Melvian’s dark eyes were fiery once they turned to Maris. She took a deep breath and picked up the glass of water she had brought for Maris, along with some medicine. “Yes,” she began. “Isen… is my mate.”

Maris’s jaw slacked. “Your mate? You are mated?”

“Maris…”

“Why do you keep hiding stuff from me? I thought we were best friends?”

“Maris, listen—”

“You don’t trust me, Melvian?”

“No. It’s not that…” Melvian groaned and rolled her eyes before leaving the mess on the floor and heading to Maris. “Isen is the one who gives me information from outside the castle.”

Oh. “He asked you to keep it quiet?”

Melvian nodded. “I am sorry.”

“I should be mad at you, though…” Maris said, shoving at Melvian’s shoulder before scratching her forearm nervously. “Are …you mad at me?”

“No, I am not mad at you. He is too good looking for his own good and doesn’t even notice when he is being a charmer. He is always so clueless of why women are always swooning over him!” She took a deep breath again before looking at Maris. “Was… was he hitting on you, though?”

“Not at all. Like you said, he doesn’t know when he is being charming.”

Melvian chuckled and shrugged. “I can’t blame him.”

“I don’t blame you for having him as a heart mate, though. He is really handsome.” Maris snickered before noticing Melvian’s serious demeanor. “You are heart mates, right?”

Averting her eyes, Melvian scratched the back of her neck.

“Wait. Melvian…” Maris grabbed her face and turned her attention back to her. “You are heart mates, right?!”

Melvian shook her head. “He is my soulmate.”

“Are you joking? Please, tell me you are!”