by Grady, D. R.
By mutual consent, their lips reconnected. Jenna finally admitted she wanted a love like that.
Chapter 21
Helen and Jake settled easily into palace life. They arrived near the end of November, just a few days before America’s Thanksgiving. Julia showed them and Jenna around, and appreciated their special interest in her lab. Her mom’s eyes brightened at the sight of the pool and hot tub and her dad liked the gym. Both enjoyed the tranquility while Jenna spent a good deal of time with her patient and in the lab she shared with Julia. It was nice having another scientist in the lab, she decided. She appreciated the company and bouncing ideas off each other.
Her parent’s days were spent helping Jenna with Hugo, whom they met and instantly liked. He was doing better, but he still wasn’t out of danger. He was coherent about one third of the time, but still very weak and fighting the remnants of whatever he’d been given. Jenna suspected he would suffer for another few weeks. Drug rehabilitation centers kept patients for weeks, and Jenna felt they needed to give Hugo that amount of time, if not longer. Detoxification was a tricky arena.
Both of her parents kept him and Lila company, which worked out well. Sometimes Lila’s queen mother duties kept her from her husband’s side. She fretted about this, but now Helen and Jake could fill in the time with him.
They also took jaunts around the countryside with Jenna. Mallen arranged day trips for Jenna and Julia’s parents. So, Helen, Jake, and Jenna and sometimes Julia, all enjoyed playing tourist from time to time. Julia personally took them into Sandovia, as proud of the city as if she were Sandovian. She loved their oohs and aahs as they took in the gorgeous town. Her parents also didn’t seem to mind Sebastian tagging along. He and Jenna had formed a fast friendship. For which Julia was thankful. She wouldn’t know what to do if her companions didn’t accept her unconventional bodyguard. All of the Sandovians loved him and he was greeted often throughout their time touring the countryside and town.
With tired contentment the five returned to the palace one evening after a sight-seeing jaunt. Mallen greeted them with a hello, and a quick kiss to her before he and Giselle ran out the door. Stefen waited for them in a car at the curb and brother and sister disappeared inside the vehicle. Julia waved at Stefen.
Turning questioning eyes on Lila, Julia asked, “What was that all about?”
“An emergency meeting and they all need to be there.” Came the bland answer.
“Oh.” Running a country did tend to allow for odd working hours.
Her parents had met Stefen as he was a frequent visitor to the palace. They were all excited about the upcoming nuptials as the bride and groom’s elated spirits settled over the home.
Jenna’s phone conversation with her brother shattered some of that well-being, however. Julia happened to be with her when Jenna called Damon Fields. They were in the lab, waiting for a test to complete, so Jenna decided to check in with her brother and sister-in-law, Emmy.
“Hello, Damon. What’s up?” she heard Jenna say. Her cousin listened quietly and Julia saw her cock her head from the corner of her eye.
“What do you mean by that?” A frown formed between Jenna’s eyebrows. “When did this happen? Emmy and Mark? That I don’t believe, Damon,” Jenna’s voice took on a grating edge so Julia stopped entering notes to spin around and stare at her cousin.
“Come on, Damon. I do not believe that either of them would do such a thing.” Jenna’s voice was so firm it fed Julia’s worry. Her eyes met Julia’s and Julia didn’t care for what she read in the stormy blue depths.
Jenna’s spine stiffened and she pulled the phone away from her ear to stare at the receiver incredulously. “Can you repeat that?” she asked when she replaced it. Her eyes grew wider and more perplexed.
“Damon that is the most foolish thing I’ve ever heard. Emmy loves you, has always loved you, and she’s the last woman on earth who would sleep with someone else, especially your best friend.”
She listened for a while longer before telling him she loved him and hung up. Jenna stared at Julia, her eyes unfocused and Julia, not able to bear the silence, asked the questions rattling in her brain. “Damon found out Mark and Emmy are sleeping together?” That rang false and weird in her mind.
Jenna turned tortured eyes on her. “No, Julia, he found them in bed together.”
“What?” Julia barked, nearly falling off her chair.
“He said he found them together.”
“No way.”
“Emmy is not the type to have an affair with anyone.” Jenna’s lower lip quivered.
“I know, Jen,” Julia said, reaching out a hand to cover Jenna’s, who griped hers tightly. “We roomed with Emmy. She was so in love with Damon. I can’t believe she would willingly sleep with anyone else.”
“She once told me that Damon was the only man who had ever interested her.”
“I remember her saying something like that too. She said she thought something was wrong with her, remember?” Julia rubbed Jenna’s cold fingers between hers.
“I do. It was only a few weeks later when Damon came to help us move out of the dorm and we thought Emmy was going to fall on her face when she met him.” Jenna’s lips curved into a sad semblance of a smile.
“If we hadn’t caught her, she’d have flattened her nose.”
“For a chemistry major, she did seem ditzy that day.”
Tears rained down Jenna’s face. “I knew then that I was going to get a sister-in-law I adored.”
“We didn’t know for certain. Damon wouldn’t tell us, remember?” She rubbed Jenna’s arms next, trying to comfort and warm her.
“There was no question that Emmy had just fallen head over heels with him, but we couldn’t get stubborn Damon to say anything. Didn’t you threaten to blow up his car?” Jenna gasped as the memories apparently surged to the front of her brain.
“I did. He finally spilled his feelings because he loved that stupid Mustang, didn’t he?”
“Thought it was the best car, ever, and we hated the rust bucket,” Jenna exclaimed. “It stank.”
Julia wrinkled her nose. “And was loud. He never did fix the muffler.”
“Even Emmy couldn’t lie and say she liked it.”
“That’s true. Still, she proved her true love whenever she rode in the thing,” she said, still trying to warm Jenna.
Yet her cousin’s mouth turned downward and her voice sounded grim. “I can’t believe he’s throwing their marriage away without more facts.”
“Were they going at it and didn’t hear him, or what?” she asked, thinking about a bed and Mallen, and doubted they’d hear a hard rock band playing right beside them.
“No, they were sleeping.”
“Sleeping?” She had not expected to hear that.
“Yes. And neither of them remembers how they got there.”
“That’s weird.”
“I know. I think the idiot needs to check things out before he files for divorce.”
“He’s filing for divorce?” Julia yelped, in shock.
“He says Emmy is.”
“We need to call Emmy.”
“Yes, but I’m scared.” Jenna sniffed.
Julia leaped off her chair to take her weeping cousin into her arms, trying to help, but feeling utterly helpless and useless. It wasn’t a state she had been eager to revisit.
***
George A. Chalmers III was feeling anything but helpless. He had just located exactly where his slut girlfriend lived. He overheard someone talking about her, and when he found the palace, he watched her gallivanting outside with two other people for a long time. She frolicked in the snow as though she didn’t have a care in the world.
Sure the palace had guards and sure, she wondered around with that infernal black beast, but those were minor issues. At least knowing where he could find her helped. He learned through eavesdropping that she was dating none other than the King of Sandovia. A king actually wanted the whore?
G
eorge snorted. Not after he got done with her. She was useless, ugly, and fat, because he had told her so. She should have never tried to break off their relationship. Because of her, he lost his job, his social standing, his potential to become a full partner at his law firm, and his mother. She’d taken all of them away from him. After he killed her, he would get all of those things back. He knew this. Just as he knew he would be rich soon, he knew everything he lost would be his again once he killed Julia.
Who knew the witch would be conveniently located in the same country as his business associate? Simon Malcolm knew about women. He knew how to treat them, and how to dispose of them. He had crowed to George all about his past relationships the last time they met on a job. So George didn’t doubt Malcolm’s prowess.
Once he killed Julia, he was going to find a woman who truly would do whatever he wanted. One who didn’t talk back or have a Ph.D.
None of this would matter once he killed her, so he stopped his thoughts. He would kill the slut then conduct his business with Malcolm. Then he and Malcolm could find better women.
Women who didn’t question him, and who obeyed his every whim. Of course, Julia could be that woman. Right up until she died. George licked his lips. He liked the thought of seeing her blood flow. Of her crying for mercy. He envisioned exactly what he’d do to mangle her body into perfection. A thrill snaked through him and he licked his lips again.
Oh, yes, Julia McNeal would be a treat. An appetizer.
Chapter 22
Lila, with her American heritage and in honor of their American visitors, decided the palace should celebrate Thanksgiving. They could also honor her husband’s safe return. She threw herself into the preparations and intended on cooking the meal herself, but Julia, Jenna, and Helen all insisted on helping. Julia and her mother ended up making the meal, however, as Hugo endured another “spell”. He had only been home for a little over two weeks, so while the episodes certainly lessened, they hadn’t stopped.
Julia and Helen worked together in a more secluded part of the kitchen making pies.
“So, dear,” Helen began as she wove piecrust over a cherry pie.
“So, Mom.” Here it goes, she thought.
“Are you happy, dear?”
“I am.” Julia realized happiness had crept up on her.
“Are you in love with Mallen?”
Julia nodded. “I think so.” The idea needed further thought before she could be sure. It was all cloudy and murky right now.
“So, you’re thinking of staying here in Sandovia?”
“I don’t know.” Julia frowned. She hadn’t thought much of her future. Or, to be more specific, she hadn’t thought of her future beyond Sandovia. The presence of her cousin and parents had begun to change that. Once George was caught, what would her future hold?
“You seem fairly well ensconced here.”
“I love Sandovia and the people.”
“What about your work?”
“Mom, there are people who are suffering here. There are ten years worth of completed work, and still much more to be done.”
“So you would fit in well,” Helen mused as she finished the cherry pie and began on a pumpkin.
“I could make a serious contribution.”
“And Mallen is here, and you love him.”
“Yes. Perhaps I’m so enthusiastic about this research because the work gives me a good reason to stay.”
“Perhaps, dear.”
Julia swallowed. Her hosts had not extended an invitation for her to remain after George was caught. Mallen had been very clear this was only for the time she was in danger. He hadn’t made any promises for the time after that. Her heart clenched painfully tight.
When they finally sat down for the meal, Julia wrestled with her turbulent thoughts. What if she was merely a passing fancy for him? What if he only paid attention to her now to help her gain confidence so she could go back to her old life with nary a blip?
She also realized she hadn’t even asked about George recently. Surely Mallen would have heard something about him. Perhaps the authorities already had him incarcerated, and he awaited trial. She nixed that idea though, as she would have surely heard such vital information.
Slanting a glance at Mallen, she realized she wasn’t the only one who was quiet. Not able to bear seeing him so deep in what appeared to be painful thoughts, she reached out a hand to him. Upon contact with her skin, he looked up.
“What’s wrong?”
He sighed. “I don’t know. I suppose the fact that we’ve got Dad home, but he’s not with us, here at the table. Does that make sense?”
“Yes, it does. Thanksgiving is a time to reflect on the things you’re thankful for. He’s in the palace and safe, if not with us right now. That’s definitely something to be thankful for.”
Mallen wove his fingers through hers and nodded. “You’re right.”
“Have you heard anything about George?”
He frowned. “Why are you thinking about him today?”
“I’m thankful to be here, with you. And that started me thinking about why I’m here. Like your father, I’m also safe.”
“That’s true. I’m thankful you’re in my life, Julia.” He raised their linked hands to his lips and kissed her hand. Her insides melted as she stared into those warm amber-green eyes.
Not an invitation to stay forever, but definitely a sign that his attentions weren’t due to building her up to send her back to the United States. She decided to take whatever small tokens she could get.
There might not be many more.
Stefen and Giselle planned their wedding for December tenth. That way they could marry, honeymoon, and then return in time for Christmas. Everyone happily complied with their wishes. Giselle later told Julia she feared her father wouldn’t be as coherent, or able to attend if they waited, and as he seemed fairly content these days, now was perhaps the best time.
Their wedding day dawned bright and cold. Giselle displayed no nervousness about her choice of bridegroom, but did admit to some nerves about whether the whole affair would come off as planned. Julia assured her everything would.
“Your gown is hanging in your closet. So is mine, and your mother has hers.”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“The men have their tuxes and everything fits.”
The bride bit her lip. “Right.”
“Mallen promised to wear the bowtie you chose.” Julia wasn’t certain she should mention that subject, but figured they could worry together. Giselle whimpered.
“I’ll personally check on him, I promise,” she vowed and Giselle stopped whimpering.
“The flowers are cut and ready. The food is also prepared and everyone you asked to help has shown, as have a few you didn’t ask.”
“What about the guests?”
“Who cares about the guests? They’ve all got invitations and those who can come will, those who can’t will still send you presents.” Julia tried to invoke some humor.
Giselle not only didn’t laugh, she gasped instead. “I forgot to order Thank You cards.”
“Your mother took care of that,” she replied mildly, making a mental note to have Lila do so. She crossed her fingers and hoped the penalty wasn’t high in heaven for lying to a distraught bride.
“Oh, Mother is very organized.” Giselle subsided for a brief moment before she panicked again. “I forgot party favors.”
Julia didn’t need to lie about those. “I took care of them. As your wedding gift from me. They’re already on the tables.”
Her friend swept her into a stranglehold embrace and she thought she bore the hug well, under the circumstances. “What did you get?”
“I found little enameled boxes that we filled with a selection of delicious chocolates. We attached a tag that thanked your guests and added your names and the date.”
“Oh, Julia, that’s perfect.”
“Thank you. And before you panic again, your Mom picked up bubbles to
blow at you as you leave the chapel, so don’t worry about those, either.”
“She did tell me she purchased those.”
“Good. The photographers arrived about ten minutes ago,” Julia inserted before Giselle had a chance to fret about that.
“Okay,” her friend said weakly. “I just want this to be over so Stef and I can be married.”
“I’m sure.” Julia somehow actually did understand.
Before the ladies could believe, the time arrived for them to dress. Julia ran between Giselle’s, Mallen’s and her own bedroom and had to make a quick stop into the kitchen to grab some cookies to calm Giselle’s nervous tummy. Mallen ended up eating most of them, but Julia was heartened to see the bride swallow one of the treats.
Mallen stepped Julia against a wall and kissed her with gusto before she finally pushed him out of the room. He was a distraction she didn’t need at the moment. Hurrying back to Giselle’s room, she arrived in time to take the bride’s wedding dress off the hanger and help fit the gown over her friend’s curves.
Julia sighed as she took the diamond tiara that was the only emblem of Giselle’s status as Princess of Sandovia she agreed to wear.
Giselle then helped her dress, which took all of about five minutes. She had already arranged her hair and applied the lip gloss she intended to wear. Her friend surprised her with a tiara much like the one she herself wore.
“These are heavy enough to produce a headache, so we wear them for the wedding ceremony and pictures, then hand them to Michaela or Simone for the reception,” Giselle instructed as she placed the diamond headpiece carefully in Julia’s curls. She also removed a matching necklace, earrings, and bracelet from the same old velvet box.
“Mallen, Mother, and I all thought of this set for you for today.” Giselle smiled at her as she secured the necklace around her bridesmaid’s neck.
