“Good idea. Also, see what’s being done with Geoff. I want him to pay for this.”
“I’ll see to it, sire.” With a smooth bow, he left.
Maiya backed away from Etta. “She should be okay now. She needs to rest.”
Her father put a hand on her shoulder. “We will return in the morning.”
Maiya’s face scrunched in consternation. “Look, your Majesty, Persinette is important to us. I betrayed her once, but for the one person in this world I love more than her. She is everything, so you better—”
Her father cut her off. “Maiya.”
Alex’s mother moved off the bed and Alex took her spot. He stared down at Etta and cupped her cheek before meeting Maiya’s stare. “I promise. I won’t let anything happen to her.”
“I don’t trust you.”
“Maiya,” her father warned. “He is the king.”
“I don’t care. I know I p
