Chapter 39: A Secret Getaway

Ana POV

Xavier stopped the car at a log cabin just outside of sight of the palace. The cabin wasn’t a large building as if it were a place for nonroyal personnel. Everything in Xavier’s life I had witnessed had been lavish and grandiose. The cabin however was the opposite. Simple yet quaint.

On one side of the cabin a light stone chimney pushed smoke into the air. Small patches of moss covered the roof. A farmer's porch had two wooden rocking chairs on it with a table in between. Raised flower beds were planted in front of the porch and were filled with shrubs, and mixed colored mums.

“What is this place?” I asked as I leaned forward to take in the view.

“This is the secret getaway spot.” Xavier gave my thigh a squeeze. “Come take a look.” He climbed out of the Escalade and rounded the SUV to open my door for me. The air smelt of wet soil, floral notes, and pine. The sound of water splashing could be heard close by. Xavier grabbed my hand and walked me up the stone path to the log