Arranged_An Array Novel

by Hazel Grace

  Impossible.

  I needed to get a hold of myself, stop acting like a lovesick puppy, and focus on what I was actually here for. I shouldn’t have left the palace to go to Bampshire—it just made everything worse. A dependence I kept feeding myself.

  I’ve never felt jealous.

  Never considered marriage.

  Never wanted to make a woman completely mine.

  But with her, I started pondering these things.

  Sighing heavily, I searched the room for Hara, who was laughing with a group of her friends. Catching me out of the corner of her eye, she excused herself.

  “Did you fix things with Ava?” she asked.

  “Is that why you pulled me away?” I asked, irritated.

  She joined her arm with mine, walking us away from a group of people who settled close to us. Weaving through the crowd, she kept her voice low. “No. It’s your alleged fiancée.”

  I rolled my eyes. “What about her?”

  Hara waited until we passed a few more couples, giving them sweet smiles and waves. “Do you remember my friend Vivian?”

  I definitely remembered Vivian. She had raven black hair, a pair of massive breasts, and stunning green eyes. Her parents were killed suspiciously in a carriage accident, and she became a prostitute to pay off her family’s gambling debts. I had offered her help, but she’d flat out refused.

  I hadn’t seen her in quite a few years, now that I thought about it.

  “I remember.”

  “She wrote me, stating that one of the girls overheard some talk about Pierce. He’s one of their customers. She said that not all the men were taken that day on the field. One stayed behind.”

  “Probably the lookout or something.”

  Hara snapped her fingers. “I thought so too, but this man said he stayed behind to make sure that the job was…well…done.”

  “Who is this man?”

  “I’m not sure yet, but she is going to find out. What else I thought was interesting was that the man didn’t have an accent. He was Tellivan.”

  “A lot of men who visit whorehouses don’t have accents,” I said uncomfortably, not wanting to have this conversation with my younger sister.

  “But this man rode up in a royal carriage.”

  I stopped mid-step. “How did she know for sure?”

  Hara narrowed her eyes. “It had the lion’s crest with the crown on it.”

  I looked around to see if George had arrived but didn’t find him. “Do you think she could describe him?”

  “Well…I don’t think she was the one who…serviced—”

  “Got it,” I quickly said, running my hand over my face. “See what other details she can provide, and ask her if any of her other coworkers want to make some extra cash. I need all details they can get.”

  ∞∞∞

  “Did you know about it?” my mother snapped, her brown eyes filled with fury. She struggled to keep her composure in the middle of Hara’s party, but her jaw twitched.

  “I did.”

  “How dare you not speak to me about this the moment I came back to this wretched place.”

  “I didn’t want to worry—”

  “We would have never come back. Edward can’t touch us—”

  “He can touch you and Hara, wherever and whenever he chooses. Arunian law can’t protect her from his order because she is his daughter.”

  Mama clasped my forearm and squeezed. “If Hara gets arranged to marry some spoonfed mongrel, who can’t wipe his own ass, without my permission, I will make sure your father regrets it.”

  I glowered at her. “Watch your voice, Mother. You’re not in Aruna, even though it may look like it.”

  “My daughter will not be pawned off like cattle!”

  I stood in front of her to prevent staring eyes from seeing her rage.

  “And this is why I didn’t mention anything,” I bit out.

  She straightened her emerald dress and breathed out, plastering a smile on her face. “We’ll be returning to Aruna earlier than expected.” She looked over my shoulder, pausing for a moment. “Hara, my morning star, are you having a wonderful time?”

  “Yes, Mama. The food is delicious. Have you eaten?”

  She patted Hara’s upper arm. “Not yet. I was having a conversation with your stubborn brother. About your father.” Hara looked up at me.

  “Don’t fret over it, Garr,” she told me. “I’ll be fine.” She bit the inside of her cheek but held up her chin.

  “You won’t be fine if you leave,” I sneered. “They would hurt you, to hurt me, to hurt Father. I can’t protect either of you if you aren’t here.”

  “That’s the problem,” Mama addressed. “You’ve been raised to protect us, to protect your father and brother. The time has come to start living your own life. You must leave before this position consumes you.”

  I gave her a questioning look. “Leave? But I haven’t found the rebels. John has been sending me more and more reports. We might be close.”

  Mama’s lips thinned. “I don’t know how many times I’ve heard you say that.”

  “Hara found out some important intel for me today.”

  Mama looked at my sister. “What is your involvement in all this?”

  My sister shrugged. “Nothing, Mama. Vivian wrote me, and—”

  “Have you been with her again, Garrett?” Mama asked, glaring at me. I furrowed my brows. How the hell did she just go from interrogating Hara to me?

  “I haven’t seen her in years,” I argued. “What the hell does that have to do with anything?”

  “It has everything to do with anything. You are trying to win over Ava.”

  “No one is trying to win over anyone, or marry anyone, or even be engaged to—”

  “Oh, stop misleading yourself, Garr,” Hara complained. “How can a smart man be so stupid? Is she not good enough for you?”

  “Why are you both trying to marry me off?”

  “Because you’re getting to be an old man,” Hara chimed, hiding a smile behind her hand.

  “We just want you to start living your life, my son.”

  I grumbled. “I am happy.”

  Both of them tittered, which deepened my frown.

  “She will not wait around forever,” Mama informed. “She will continue her life and leave you behind. Ava has a force within her that demands freedom and life. If you don’t make your intentions known, there will be other men who will. Kai is already inquiring about her.”

  “Kai wouldn’t get anywhere with Ava,” I replied. “He is too much of an egotistical idiot for her taste.”

  Hara pulled my arm and turned me around. “Then why is she dancing with him for the third time tonight, brother?”

  I didn’t answer; I just watched the way Ava’s red hair bounced in the air as Kai taught her Arunian dance moves. She threw her head back in laughter, holding her gown off the floor with one hand while holding Kai’s arm with the other.

  “They make a handsome couple,” Mama chimed. “She would make him grow up, and he would show her the world.”

  I grinded my teeth. She obviously implied feelings that I wanted to keep at bay. Watching Kai’s arm wrap around her waist, I refrained from marching over to them and ripping her out of his grasp.

  “You are rather boring at times,” Hara admitted, staring at the same display I was.

  “Only since I’ve been here, I’m afraid. Telliva has to suck the living shit out of me.”

  I was once wild and ambitious; I wanted to conquer the world and have no regrets. When my father brought me here to protect them and get rid of the assassins, I lost my outlook on life. I became so consumed with reports, backgrounds on men, and making my father proud of me.

  I no longer recognized myself anymore, and if I kept this up, I didn’t think I’d ever find myself again.

  Ava

  Chapter 29

  “Are you listening?” Hara nudged me with her arm.

  I wasn’t.

&
nbsp; I was too busy watching Garrett dance with some pretty brunette on the dance floor, who was laughing a bit too loud.

  Tapping my foot on the marble floor, I crossed my arms.

  Oh yes. I was jealous.

  “Yes,” I lied.

  “What should I do?”

  I had no idea how to answer her. “What do your instincts tell you to do?”

  “Go back home.”

  That brought my attention back to the conversation. “Home? Why would you do that?”

  Hara rolled her eyes. “Well I’m not going to let Father tell me who to marry. Cecilia will convince him to pick the worst match. She hates me.”

  “Was this when you saw him today?”

  Hara glared at me. “I already told you that. If you’d stop gazing at my brother, you would have heard.”

  I shook my head. “Your mother would never allow it.”

  “She wouldn’t have much choice.”

  “Didn’t he love your mother at one point?” I inquired. “A woman could use that to her advantage.”

  “He did, but I don’t know how much that would help. I’m back for two weeks, and he is already trying to marry me off to the highest buyer.”

  Fidgeting with my fingers, I tried to keep my voice calm, knowing exactly how it felt to be issued on how you’d be living your life. “I know Garrett would never allow it.”

  “About that,” Hara murmured. “Father knows that Garrett will refuse Lady Chitwood’s marriage agreement. So, he is going to use me to pursue his agenda, growing ties within other countries. He wants more allies.”

  My eyes widened. “He would use you as a trade deal? That doesn’t sound like him, Hara. Cecilia must be pushing it. He would never do that to his only daughter.”

  “He did it to you.”

  I couldn’t argue that fact.

  “But it was to his own son,” I countered.

  “Garrett isn’t going to marry Chitwood, so that leaves me.”

  Guilt flooded my senses. I didn’t want to see Hara’s lighthearted spirit squashed by an arranged marriage.

  “I’m sorry,” I whispered, looking down at the floor.

  Hara placed her slender hand on my shoulder. “I’ll speak to Mama about it later tonight. I don’t want to talk anymore about this drab issue. I want to talk about my brother and you now.”

  I cringed. “Oh dear, let’s not start that.”

  “And why not?” Hara insisted. “He hasn’t taken his eyes off you all night, you both suspiciously disappeared at the same time, and—”

  “All right, all right. You made your point,” I cut in, feeling heat flush over my cheeks.

  “I remember when you were injured at the convent and he had come home. He immediately trained the Elite Eight. Did you know that some of them were trained assassins?”

  Chills crawled up my spine. “No! For whom?”

  Hara leaned in closer. “That’s a good question. I have no clue. Garr keeps their pasts very well hidden.”

  I had been protected by trained killers? I didn’t know if I should feel flattered or concerned that Garrett had lost his damn mind.

  “He always had an annoying sense to keep everyone safe. I blame our father for that,” Hara said, rolling her eyes.

  “Was he always so—”

  “Serious?” Hara filled in. “No, he was far from serious. He was fun. We used to get into a lot of trouble together. But everything changed when the first assassination attempt was made, and you were sent away. Edward ordered Garrett back to the castle, and he was put through rigorous training. It was as though Edward was making a personal bodyguard for George. I never doubted his love for my brother, but he is a King with responsibilities, and George was his heir. Garrett hardened; more focused on eliminating the enemy. I lost some of him; he never laughed anymore. I didn’t know him anymore.

  “Until he came home from seeing you those years ago. He started to laugh a little; he had another reason to serve someone else over his brother and family. You sparked him back to life.”

  You sparked him back to life.

  “Do you not see it?” Hara asked. “Mama and I see it, the way he looks at you. He is utterly smitten. I think he’s in love with you.”

  “Are you trying to make me blush?” I inquired critically. “Because it’s working.”

  Hara looked back at the dance floor to locate her brother. “The brunette is Victoria Moreau. She is harmless.”

  “I’m not worried,” I snorted.

  Hara glanced at me for a brief second. “Just jealous,” Hara accused. Before I could defend myself, Isabella stepped into view with a gentleman at her side.

  “There you are, Ava,” Isabella cheered, clasping her petite hands together. “I was looking for you earlier, dear. I want you to meet my nephew, Wyatt Dupont. He is my youngest sister’s son.”

  Wyatt smiled widely, showing two dimples and perfectly straight teeth. He kissed my hand politely and held it for a moment. “It is very nice to finally meet you, Lady Barlow. I feel like I practically know you, through all Hara’s stories.” He released my hand and winked at Hara.

  “I hope she only told the ones of me being well-behaved and ladylike,” I replied with a smile.

  Hara scoffed, and Isabella laughed softly. My gaze fell on both of them, and I raised a brow. “What?”

  “I love you, my dear, but you were far from well-behaved and too young and free-spirited to worry about proper manners.” Isabella chuckled. “Just like me.”

  “I prefer strong-willed females,” Wyatt added. “They make for better conversation.” But his eyes implied something different; that they were better in bed.

  “You couldn’t even handle a strong-willed female,” Hara argued. “You don’t like when people tell you that you’re wrong.”

  Wyatt looked at me, nodding toward Hara. “Only when it’s her. She won’t stop talking until you agree.”

  Hara crossed her arms. “That is a lie.”

  Wyatt held out a hand to me. “Would you like to dance, so that my little cousin and I don’t start an argument?”

  “Of course.” I took his hand as he led me off to an empty spot on the floor, reminding myself to be nice.

  ∞∞∞

  I was in a very intense game of chess with Garrett. Both of us leaned over the table, studying the evenly-matched pieces on the board. We’d been playing for a good two hours, each of us carefully calculating our next move. Not only was it intense because he was a good player, but his fixed attention on me while it was my turn, heated every inch of my body. Thankfully, we were in a public study; one used by anyone in the palace.

  He moved his bishop, his strong fingers purposely sliding slowly off the top of the game piece.

  I needed a fan.

  Maybe a bowl of cold water to dunk my head in.

  “Your turn,” he rasped. I dared not look up at him for fear my cheeks would burn off my face.

  I studied my next move and the possible consequences.

  “How long are you going to take this time?”

  My eyes shot up to me his. “Are you rushing me?”

  “I am.”

  “That isn’t part of the game, sir,” I remarked, trying my best not to smile.

  “May I suggest an alternative then?”

  “I don’t need your help.”

  He leaned in closer to the table and his voice dropped an octave. “I’m aware of that. But I can think of other ways to use our skills.”

  More heat prickled up my face, and he gave me a wolfish smile.

  I needed that ice-cold water right now.

  Trying to break the hot, sexual tension, I moved my pawn a space. I didn’t even know if it would be taken; I couldn’t focus on anything else but him sitting right in front of me. He reached for my hand before I moved it away from the board and intertwined his fingers with mine.

  “How about we call a stalemate?” He rubbed his thumb on the inside of my palm.

  “I—I never give up on
a game,” I stammered, watching his fingers.

  “Then I give up,” he stated, leaning over to plant small, warm kisses on my hand. Flutters started in my stomach, and I tried to keep from trembling.

  “Garrett Cranfield doesn’t surrender.”

  He kept his concentration on my fingers. “I found something to submit to. I can’t spend my life fighting the things around me, can I?”

  I shook my head absentmindedly, and Garrett stood. Coming to my side of the table, he lifted me up from the chair, his heat enveloping me. I glanced at his lips. Strong. Perfectly shaped. He cupped my chin and trailed kisses down the nape of my neck.

  “You are so beautiful, Avie,” he breathed. Placing my hand firmly on his chest, I halted his movements.

  “Chitwood,” I said.

  Garrett looked at the ceiling and groaned. “What about her?”

  I raised a brow. “That woman is walking around this palace, ordering wedding flowers and invitations for your wedding. And I’m in a parlor, alone with you, while you try to…distract me.”

  Garrett’s lips quirked. “Really? I have the power to distract the influential Peitho?”

  I smacked his chest. “Stop teasing me. I’m no goddess of anything.”

  “To me, you are.”

  “Then you must have taken too many hits to the head in training,” I quipped.

  Garrett chuckled. “Don’t underestimate a beautiful woman.”

  “You’re distracting again.”

  Garrett laid his hand over mine placed on his chest. “Okay, Avie, I’m listening. Get out what you need to about Chitwood.” I went to open my mouth, but he continued, “And hurry up because I have other plans for us at the moment.”

  “I’m honestly not sure what to do…”

  “Well, Peitho, what are your plans for me?”

  “Garr—”

  “I mean that in all honesty. Do you care anything for me?”

  “Of course I do, but—”

  “There are no buts. It’s just me and you.”

  I let out an exasperated sigh. “It’s not just me and you. It’s George and—”

  “Don’t bring my brother into this,” he retorted.

  “And Sophia.”

  “I don’t have a past with her.”

  “I understand that, but—”