Page 19 of Princess Redeemed

The words tempt me—I’m still angry at her betrayal—but my throat is parched and talking aches.Plus, she’s still my mother.She willneverknow.

“I know that,” Mom says, “which is why I came.If he’s this concerned, it means you’re hurt badly.”

My heart aches.

Literally.

I took an arrow to it.Yes, I heal quickly, but my mother doesn’t know that.She thinks I took a blow to the head.

“Your head isn’t swollen, so that’s good.”

“The swelling’s gone down,” I lie.

“I can see.You need your rest, but I’m going to be waking you every hour for the next day or two.”

“That’s crazy.When will you sleep?”

“Larissa and I will take turns.”

“Larissa is in law school.She doesn’t have time?—”

“She finished her last final yesterday.She has a few weeks off before she begins her summer internship.”

Summer internship.Top of her class.Larissa is everything I’m not.

And Rogan…

Where is Rogan?

Have my pheromones worn off again?

No, that’s not possible.The first shot lasted weeks.

God…Rogan…

I absently touch my abdomen.My baby.Rogan’s baby.Is it all right?It’s too soon to feel any kicking or even any nausea.

I need to know.

“Close your eyes, Hannah.”Mom rises from my bed.“I’ll be back to check on you soon.”

“Mom, I?—”

“We’ll talk more later when you’re feeling better.In the meantime, you need to rest.This isn’t solely about you.”

She leaves, closing the door to my bedroom.

This isn’t solely about you.

Does she know about the baby?Or is it a dig about me being self-absorbed?

From my mother, it’s most likely the latter.She doesn’t know me.Richard has poisoned her against me.He’s told her lies about me.All those years he convinced her I was the embodiment of evil, when in reality…

What is more evil than the demon king himself?

Talk about transference.

My eyes flutter closed on their own.