Chapter 78

Marisol scowled at him and then, as if a switch had been flipped in her brain, she leaped away from his grasp.

“I don’t need your patronage, Cedric,” she retorted sharply, her tone cutting through the air like a knife. “I’d told you time and again that I can take care of myself just fine.”

Cedric could not bring himself to be anything but amused, his smirk growing as he watched her bristle with indignation, “Oh, but you were magnificent out there, my Queen,” he teased, watching as she rolled her eyes, scowl deepening as she turned around and started to walk away. But Cedric was relentless in his pursuit, his footsteps echoing hers as he trailed her through the forest.

“Stop following me, Cedric,” she snapped, her patience wearing thin as she glanced back at him over her shoulder. “I don’t need you hovering over me like some unpaid bodyguard.”

But Cedric paid no heed to her, only chuckling, the sound rich and melodious as it washed over her. “Can’t help it, lo