Page 30 of Gold Sector

All right, little diamond, I think, keying in the code for my floor.Let’s see who you really are and what this scent enchantment truly means…

CHAPTER NINE

TALIANA

The scentof warm bread teases my nostrils, making me salivate. It arrived what feels like hours ago, but realistically, it’s only been ten or fifteen minutes. I just can’t remember the last time I ate.

Taylor sent it up with the clothes she’d promised.

But I don’t dare touch any of it.

The Gold Sector Prince made himself very clear—this suite is not mine. Nothing here belongs to me. I need to respect that.And ignore what Taylor said.

Except… if she lied to me about making myself comfortable in Oros’s suite, what else did she lie to me about?

I shiver, uncertain.

Where’s my father?I wonder.He would know what to do right now… who to trust.

But he didn’t prepare me for all these strange rules. For Oros’s kindness.

Unless it’s all a trick. A trial. A test…

My fingers twist before me, my nerves fluttering inside me. Or maybe that’s my hunger.

Moons, I can almost taste the bread on my tongue. Except I probably can’t swallow it in this state. My throat is too dry, my mouth?—

Ding.

My limbs freeze, the sound indicating another arrival.More food? More clothes? The Gold Sector Prince?

But as the refreshing scent of campfire swirls around me, followed by a kiss of power, I know it’s none of the above.

It’s Oros.

I immediately look at him, needing to see his gold eyes, his familiar features, hissmile.

However, he’s not smiling as he enters. Instead, he’s frowning.

Shit.The prince must have told him about my snooping. “I’m sorry for exploring your personal space,” I blurt out, instinctively dropping my gaze. “It was disrespectful of me, and I apologize. Please forgive me.”

Please still be my guardian,I want to add. But that just sounds pathetic.

Of course, I feel pathetic right now. And alone.So very alone.

“What?”

Crap. I must not have explained myself well. “I… I didn’t mean to intrude on your quarters. I should have…” Well, I don’t know what I should have done. “Stayed here?” It comes out like a question because I really have no idea what’s expected of me.

And the confusion is starting to exhaust me.

“Taliana.” There’s a hint of command in his tone, one that has me looking at him on instinct. “I invited you into my quarters. You’re free to treat them as your own.”

I stare back at him, confused. “But the prince said…”

He arches a perfectly sculpted brow. “Finish that statement. What were you told?”

“He… he reminded me that these are your quarters and I should respect them.”