by C. J. Miller
As they approached, the guests speaking to Katarina moved away, bowing slightly. Katarina was not titled royalty, but at times, Serena wondered if she knew the difference.
“Katarina, it’s a pleasure to see you again,” Serena said, extending her hand. She took care to inject some warmth into her voice. “Happy birthday.”
“Your Highness.” Katarina Warrington accepted Serena’s hand and clasped it.
“Everything looks wonderful. Your son did a nice job arranging the evening.” Serena pulled her hand away.
Katarina laughed sharply. “My son didn’t arrange this. The king doesn’t have time to plan parties. We have event coordinators on staff to handle these affairs. When you’re ready to start your wedding preparations—” Katarina said.
Samuel cut in. “Mother, not now.”
Serena didn’t want to think about wedding preparations. “It’s customary to be engaged before planning a wedding.” She tried to keep her tone light, but the look Katarina gave her indicated she’d failed.
His mother pursed her lips. “Engagements are merely a formality. Tell me, Serena, what is preventing you from agreeing to the engagement?”
Serena was taken aback by Katarina’s willingness to put her on the spot in front of other guests. She hadn’t anticipated this meeting would take a hostile turn so quickly. “Samuel and I are taking our time.” And arguing and fighting and seeing absolutely everything differently.
“I see. I have some additional topics I’d like to speak with you about. Perhaps we can talk in private later?” Katarina’s eyes were cold and hard.
Serena would rather chew glass. She gave a nod of acknowledgment, but she wasn’t planning to follow through on a private whining session with Katarina. “If you’ll excuse me, I need a drink.” Releasing Samuel’s arm, she strode in the direction of the bar. Being verbally accosted wasn’t how she would spend the evening.
Samuel caught up to her. “You’ll have to excuse my mother. She’s protective. You know how mothers can be.”
“No actually, I don’t.” Serena’s mother had died when she was three and it stung that Samuel didn’t know that. She strode away from him and didn’t turn to see his expression. Maybe it was time for Samuel to put some genuine effort into their relationship. Or maybe it was time for Serena to think of other ways to secure Acacia’s future.
Serena fled the drawing room, feigning that she was upset after the incident. Guests were flowing in and Serena pretended to be on her phone and distressed. When she was away from the crowd, she texted Iliana to meet her in the bathroom on the first floor. They would trade clothes and places. Iliana would have to take care not to show her face, but a walk in the darkened garden should accomplish that.
Serena waited a few minutes and following a quick tap on the door, Iliana slipped inside the bathroom. She locked up behind her. They traded dresses, Iliana wearing the formal purple gown and Serena slipping on Iliana’s simple black frock.
“It’s not too late to change your mind,” Iliana said, adjusting her wig. “It’s dangerous what you’re doing.”
“This is my opportunity. I can’t let it pass,” Serena said. She had to know for sure what Samuel wanted before she signed those papers, agreeing to marry him and turning over control of Acacia.
Checking her red wig and dress in the mirror, Serena slipped out of the bathroom. Samuel’s office was on the second floor of the palace. She used the servant’s stairwell, moving purposefully and quietly. Most everyone was working in or around the drawing room, so the hallways were clear. Serena took slow, deep breaths and tried to stay calm. Every footstep sounded loud, every creak of the stair echoing in the space. She rehearsed what she would say if caught. She wasn’t a great liar, but she was prepared to sell it.
Once on the second floor, she strode toward Samuel’s office. She set her hand on the door knob and turned it, hoping it was unlocked. It was! She entered the room and someone grabbed her hand, pulling her deeper into the office. She was composing her excuse, when she recognized his scent. “What are you doing here?”
Casimir pointed to the desk. “Searching.”
“I told you I would look for evidence. You’re supposed to be downstairs with Iliana.”
“Iliana and I agreed. We couldn’t let you do this alone.”
“Great, now we’ll both be arrested,” she said drily.
“You’re assuming we will get caught. We won’t. Are you wearing a wig?” he asked.
“My guards won’t be looking for a redhead. They are following Iliana in a blond wig.” She patted the red hair.
“I thought you were pretending to be yourself on a mission of seduction. How will you explain the getup if you’re caught?” Casimir asked.
“I’ll tell Samuel I was shooting for a kinky role-playing evening.”
“What role are you playing?”
“Red-haired, fiery seductress.”
Casimir grinned. He kissed her then, pressing her up against the back of the closed door. Serena relaxed beneath his touch, letting his mouth plunder hers. His lips massaged hers, his tongue stroked against her tongue and his body rubbed with the right friction, the right movement to excite every nerve ending. A mewling sound filled the air. Did Samuel have a cat?
“Shhh,” he whispered against her lips.
“I wasn’t talking.”
“You’re moaning.”
She straightened. “If you want me to be silent, you shouldn’t kiss me.”
“Shhh,” he said again and went back to kissing her.
Her head was filled with Casimir. Kissing Casimir. Grinding against Casimir. Touching Casimir. When he broke away, she leaned against the door to keep from melting to the floor in a puddle of heat.
“I needed to get that out of my system,” he said.
He strode to the desk and looked through papers using a flashlight.
It was out of his system, but now it was strongly in hers. She wanted to finish what he had started. They didn’t have time now, but maybe tonight they could meet at the beach house. Being there with Casimir was one of her favorite ways to relax. But before they could relax, they had to finish this task and find something to clue her in to Warrington’s agenda.
“I’ll check his bedroom,” Serena said.
Casimir glanced at her. “I need a few more minutes. I’ll meet you there.”
Serena wished they were rendezvousing in her bedroom. Instead, she was searching the bedroom of a man she hoped to never be in the position to share a bed with.
* * *
Samuel wouldn’t leave incriminating information in the open for anyone to discover. Casimir had heard from one of DeSante’s spies in the palace of Rizari that Samuel used this smaller office for the majority of his work, including personal matters. He had a larger office in the palace for official meetings.
Casimir had felt an instant connection to this space. For good reason. It had once belonged to his father. His mother had some pictures of the palace, old, grainy photos, faded with age. The room was unfamiliar, yet being here was bringing to the surface emotions he’d thought long buried. He had never known his father, except in descriptions from his mother and stories in the news. He was torn between anger at his father and the crippling loss of never having met him.
Casimir heard a noise in the hallway and darted behind a plush couch, crouching to the floor. He should have been aware of approaching footsteps. His lapse in concentration might cost him dearly.
The door to the office opened, and Samuel and a black-haired woman entered. Casimir didn’t recognize her, but she was tall and slender and wore a long black dress that was tied around her neck. Her breasts were spilling from the fabric and Samuel grabbed at her as they stumbled in the near darkness into the room.
She giggled and Samuel hushed her. After he closed the door behind him, he again advanced on her. She clawed at his clothes. Within seconds, she was bent over the desk, her dress around her waist, with Warrington behind her, moaning and gro
aning.
Casimir closed his eyes and tried to block out the noise. Even with his hands over his ears, the rhythmic thumps and high-pitched moans penetrated his hearing.
The episode was over in less than two minutes. Casimir gave his cousin no points for stamina or creativity. After a disgusting exchange of lurid compliments, Samuel and his fling left the office ten seconds apart. Casimir waited in case Samuel decided to return. When it remained quiet, Casimir resumed his search.
How was Serena doing? She hadn’t messaged that she’d found anything, but Casimir worried about her. He glanced at the time on his phone. It had been twenty-three minutes since Serena had left the office. Having found nothing himself, he sent her a message and then slipped out of the room to meet her in the king’s bedroom.
* * *
Serena had a difficult time picturing Samuel sleeping and residing in his bedroom. It was almost hard to believe it was his. She had expected modern decor, possibly primarily neutral colors with a splash of bold tones, like red.
Instead, the room was decorated in soft fabrics, heavy drapes, and shades of green and blue. The decorations were simple and understated, though Serena had no doubt they were of high quality. The painting across from his bed was of a ship on the water, struggling against a fierce storm. What had compelled Samuel to choose that piece?
Serena opened his drawers, peeking inside. She found impeccably folded clothes that smelled of laundry detergent. Moving them aside, she looked underneath. She didn’t know what she was searching for. He was unlikely to have saved documentation detailing his private thoughts on the future of Rizari. Samuel wasn’t the type to keep a handwritten diary.
Pulling aside the curtain to the window, Serena took in the view. It was too dark to see anything except the dots of lights from the palace outbuildings. No view of the water. Serena released the curtain and returned to her search.
She opened the bedside table and found condoms, candles and lubricant. Feeling as if she had crossed a line, she closed it quickly. Serena knelt and looked under the bed. It was empty, save a condom wrapper.
“What are you doing here?”
A female voice. Serena rose to her feet. Samuel’s mother was standing in the doorway, her silhouette outlined by the light from the hallway. Her hands were folded in front of her and she waited, watching Serena with narrowed eyes.
Serena had practiced her cover story so many times, it snapped to her tongue. “I was waiting for Samuel.”
Katarina flicked on the light and stepped farther into the room. “Why are you dressed like that? What did you do to your hair?”
“Part of the surprise.”
His mother lifted her brow.
Serena would let his mother think whatever she wanted. Let her believe it was a kinky fantasy, a lover secretly visiting in the night.
“I don’t think you should be in my son’s bedroom.”
Serena lifted her head and tilted it to the side. She had seen her sister intimidate many foes with that same look. Would it work for her?
Samuel’s mother set her hands on her hips. “We could call my son and speak to him about this.”
Serena debated her next move. “That’s a good idea.” She could feed Samuel her story, that she was trying to smooth over the problems they’d been having by injecting a little fun into their relationship. Then she could pretend to be embarrassed or annoyed that she had been caught and return home.
His mother placed the call. Serena, astonished that she hadn’t collapsed in a pile of nerves and sweat, sat on the chaise longue positioned under the window on the far side of the room.
Katarina spoke quietly into her phone, too low for Serena to hear. Serena tried not to let that add to her terror. She inspected her nails as if bored.
Katarina gripped her phone at her side. “You’re not the good girl you pretend to be.”
Serena glared at Samuel’s mother. The woman knew nothing about her. “I am the queen of Acacia. I would appreciate if you’d show me respect. If you don’t like me as your son’s choice for a wife, that’s your problem.”
“His choice? My son doesn’t have a choice. He has to marry you.”
Serena saw another angle to explore. Katarina might know more about Samuel’s motives than he had revealed to her directly. “We don’t have an arrangement yet. He is free to marry whoever he chooses.”
Katarina looked positively apoplectic. “That isn’t true. My son sees the writing on the wall. War with Icarus is inevitable. He needs Acacia on his side.”
Was Samuel expecting to defend himself against a war with Icarus or was he planning to be the aggressor? The information ricocheted around Serena’s brain and made her feel dizzy. It wasn’t the evidence she was looking for to implicate Samuel in wrongdoing, but it was more evidence that DeSante’s suspicions were correct. Samuel had war on his mind. “I don’t see it that way.”
“Then you are a fool. Your sister would have made a better wife and a better queen. At least she had charisma and charm.”
Serena tried not to visibly recoil. At the mention of her sister, Serena was assaulted by grief and curiosity. How much had Danae known about Samuel Warrington’s plans for their countries? “I didn’t realize you and Danae were close.”
Katarina sniffed. “We weren’t. But my son tells me everything. Everything.”
The fact was unsettling, but Serena waited to see what else his mother would reveal. Perhaps in her attempt to assert herself as the most important woman in her son’s life, she would step too far and divulge one of the king’s secrets.
“You aren’t my son’s type.”
Serena knew that. Samuel wasn’t hers. “I see.”
“Do you? Because I am not buying this act you’re putting on tonight.”
Samuel entered the room and appeared confused as he looked between his mother and her. His hair was mussed. “What are you doing in here?” He addressed Serena.
Serena folded her hands and tried to appear exasperated. “Being thwarted by your mother. I took our last conversation to heart and I had hoped to arrange a surprise for you. Your mother didn’t seem to think it was a good idea.”
He narrowed his eyes. “What surprise?”
Serena gestured to herself. “Me.”
Samuel’s lips quirked and his eyes lit up. It was the first time she had seen genuine interest from him. Figured he’d be attentive when sex was implied. Serena had opened a door she didn’t want to walk through. She rose to her feet. “But this is a mess. I’ll be returning home. It’s your mother’s birthday party. I didn’t mean to upset anyone. I wanted to have time alone with you, but I can see that this is bad timing.”
“Right. That sounds logical,” Katarina said sarcastically.
Samuel looked at his mother. “Mother, you need to give Serena some latitude.”
His mother straightened. “Aren’t you planning to address the issue of her other lover?”
Samuel glanced at Serena. “I am aware of it and we’ve addressed it. That’s all you need to know.”
Surprised at the way the king had spoken to his mother, Serena stood and crossed the room to the door. “I’d rather not make another scene tonight and ruin your mother’s evening. It is her birthday, after all.” For once, Katarina had the grace to stay silent.
Serena fled the room and Samuel didn’t stop her.
Serena ran into Casimir in the hallway. She shook her head and indicated he should turn and run.
She messaged Iliana to meet her in the same bathroom. This time, Iliana was waiting for her. They switched dresses again, and Iliana shoved both wigs into her oversized handbag. Serena exited the bathroom. Her guards were looking around for her and seemed relieved when they spotted her with her cousin.
Three hours later, at her beach house, Serena shared with Casimir and Iliana what she had learned. “King Warrington anticipates war with Icarus. I don’t know if he plans to start it, but he expects it’s inevitable.”
Speaking freely in f
ront of Iliana brought her cousin deeper into the circle of trust. She wanted both her and Casimir’s opinions on the matter.
“He said that?” Iliana asked.
“His mother told me,” Serena said.
Iliana made a noise of disgust. Casimir watched her with his deep intelligent eyes.
“I don’t like his mother. She’s strange,” Iliana said.
“She’s protective,” Serena said, despite her feelings toward the woman.
“That’s one way to describe it,” Iliana said.
After discussing possibilities for an hour, Iliana rose to her feet. “I need to get going. I have an early morning tomorrow and the boss won’t like it if I’m late.”
Serena hugged her. “See you tomorrow. Drive safe, okay?”
After Iliana left, Serena was alone with Casimir, save for Serena’s guards posted at the front and back of her house.
“I need to change out of this dress,” Serena said, extending her hand to Casimir.
He took it, and followed her up the stairs to her bedroom. Her passion and her feelings for him were stronger than the confusing thoughts swirling inside her.
She unfastened her dress and let the satin pool on the floor. She was naked beneath the dress except for a thong and Casimir’s eyes widened with lust.
She stroked his cheek and he closed his eyes, leaning into her touch.
He kissed the inside of her wrist. His lips trailed up her arm, moving their bodies closer together. “I want you, Serena.”
She wanted him, too. He unbuttoned his shirt and let it fall over his broad shoulders. She kicked off her shoes, wiggled out of her underwear and pushed back on the bed, waiting for him. Watching him move, the sleekness of his muscles and the intensity in his eyes was throwing fuel on the fire burning hot and wild inside her. Casimir removed his pants and slid onto the bed with her, covering her with his body. He kissed her deeply, intensely, stroking his hand up and down her body.
Then he shifted, sitting with his back against the headboard and pulled her astride him. Her core touched his arousal, yet he made no motion to push inside her.
