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The Hidden Luna Queen (Maeve and Xaden) novel Chapter 42

Chapter 42 

Maeve POV 

I’m so relieved to have you here, Maggie,I exclaimed once we were finally in the car. The car rides home have been so lonely the last few days.” 

To be precise, it had been three days since my first almost disastrous meeting with Alpha King Arlan and the rest of the royal family. That was the day I was forced to enter the palace all by myself, due to the security restrictions prohibiting Maggie from entering without the proper, uptodate clearance. Thanks to said rules, I had to face Isabelle’s jealous wrath alone, suffer wardrobe malfunction, and navigate the palace alone before and after my lessons with the Luna Queen

But somehow, I survived those tedious three days and the time had finally come where Maggie’s new identity card arrived

This meant today was the first in a while that she was able to pick me up from my lesson

And what a pleasant surprise it was to see the Gamma housekeeper as I prepared to leave the palace

She patted my knee affectionately. You’re too kind, Miss Maeve,she said. However, I’m well aware of the you’ve made at the palace. It could not have been so bad without me there, could it?” 

I sighed. Friends or not, it’s always nice to see a familiar face.” 

many friends 

We spent the remainder of the car ride discussing in depth how my training with Luna Queen Leonora was faring, along with the news that there was to be a banquet in two days in my honor, to which Maggie seemed particularly jubilantthough she toned it down once she realized just how nervous I was

Once we returned home, I went straight to the kitchen to fetch myself a cup of water

However, I had not expected to see Xaden already inside and by one of the counters, almost as if he had been waiting for me

You’re home,I breathed, unable to stop the smile that spread across my face. I did not think I would ever tire of the sight- coming home to someone who always lit up whenever they saw me. Are you already done for the day?” 

I have a bit of time to kill before my next appointment, so I just had to stop by and see you,” he purred

Honestly, it didn’t matter to me in the slightest anymore. He knew both of our schedules like the back of his hand and always managed to time things so perfectly that we could share any free breaks together. If we only had one hour, ten minutes, or even just five fleeting seconds, I would have taken whatever time he could spare. Just seeing him was more than enough to lift my spirits

Xaden had somehow lodged himself so deeply in my soul, that I couldn’t even remember what it was like without him 

And I hoped I didn’t have to again

Before you say anything elsehe said with a growing grin, pulling a small container in front of him, I brought you something.” 

Despite playing coy, whatever was inside smelled phenomenal

There was such an air of mystery and he seemed to burst with childlike excitement to share what was hidden inside. Curiosity bubbled within me, and I could not resist leaning in. What is it?” 

Xaden opened the container, revealing its mouthwatering contents. What he’d brought home appeared to be a hefty serving of spaghetti smothered with rich tomato sauce and little chunks of savory beef. I could smell the shreds of parmesan cheese mixed into the sauce the flecks of garlic scattered between the flaccid noodles. the faint scent of buttered bread used to scoop up some of the pasta. But I could also detect something elsesomething that made the back of my throat tickle with 

every inhale

Pregnancy might’ve heightened my senses, but I couldn’t pinpoint this ingredient for the life of me

Was it rosemary? Onion

I had to meet with an ambassador from a neighboring kingdom for lunch today,he explained, putting the container on the 

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Chapter 12 

kitchen counter. She insisted on this lovely little corner bistro, so I thought I’d share some of my winnings with you.” 

Oh he had been with a woman. I couldn’t hide my unease

I gulped. Waswas she?” 

The corners of Xaden’s lips upturned ever so slightly. She was over seventy years old,he teased, savoring the embarrassed flush that rose on my cheeks. And all she seemed to want to talk about was the good old days of her youth as a vixen

Embarrassed, heat spread all over my face.. but I couldn’t deny the relief I felt upon hearing his answer

Would you like to try?” 

I nodded with a smile. I was willing to try anything he recommended to me

Xaden then picked up a forkful of pasta and gestured for me to open my mouth, feeding me once I reluctantly obeyed, feeling admittedly a little awkward. No one ever offered to do that for me before, so I thought it odd, but it was impossible for me to say no when I saw how excited he was

The moment the spaghetti hit my tongue, I could taste all those amazing flavors. all of the sauce, cheese, and herbs. A small moan slipped past my lips

He grinned at me. Delicious, isn’t it?” 

Indeed, it was. But then I detected that ingredient that I couldn’t quite place earlier. And it wasum, it was

Are.. are you alright? You’re turning red.” 

I opened my mouth to try to placate him, but instead, I burst into a coughing fit, attacked by what seemed like thousands of tiny specks of spice

That was no 

was no mere dusting of pepper

Whatever was in that pasta had set every single one of my tastebuds aflame

Xaden quickly paled. Shit, shit, shit-he cursed, frantically throwing the fork aside like it was plagueridden. With untapped desperation, he threw open every cupboard until he found a cup he deemed satisfactory enough for the job and filled it to the brim with chilled, filtered water

Hastily, he rushed back over to where I stood, spilling nearly half of the water in the process. Despite myself, I couldn’t help. but giggle even as he pushed the cup into my hand, encouraging me to chug the entire thing. I’m so sorry, Maevelhe fretted, wideeyed. YYou’re not allergic, are you?” 

NNo, II’ve just never had spicy food before,I coughed, unable to stop the startled laugh that slipped past my burning, tingling lips. How strange the sensation felt. PPlease, don’t worry about it.” 

However unpleasant the kick from that spice might have been, I bore no ill will against Xaden for sharing such a dish. How could he have known I’d have such a reaction? I certainly did not, and I honestly didn’t think too much of the blunderwhat mattered the most to me was that he brought home something he thought I might have liked

That only showed me just how thoughtful and considerate he was, despite not knowing much about my likes opened my heart to him even more

But Kaden did not share in my amusement

от 

dislikes, and 

Instead of laughing, he seemed to close himself off to me. The fright on his handsome face quickly morphed into pensiveness. That only served to dissipate the humor from the room, suddenly leaving me wary

Xaden, you’re not upset, are you?I questioned hesitantly

He responded with a slow shake of his head, but began to back away. L.. need to go,he suddenly said, sounding somewhere far away as he retreated towards the front door. I’ll be back soon, I promise.” 

But he wasn’t

Chapter 12 

He was gone for hours

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