He didn’t. Instead, he totally ignored me and turned around. In his deep and soothing voice, he asked Sophia, “Only one of?”

Sophia blushed and lowered her head as if she was really shy, “Your Highness… ”

The whole scene caused a cold and hard knot in my stomach and I felt like a fool for ever making him anything.

It was clear now that all he’d ever wanted from me was help in getting his berry to grow. I fisted my hands, trying to fight back the ...