by Ally Summers
“You’re not going to watch?” She looked surprised.
“It doesn’t matter. I have work to do. We both knew what we signed up for. That night is over, and talking about it doesn’t get me any closer to completing my dissertation.”
“I wish you would stop being practical and just admit that you had fun and that something might have happened.” Her eyebrows rose.
“It’s not worth talking about. I’m going to the library.”
I scooped the cards off the couch and shoved them in a bag. I couldn’t stay in the apartment and deal with her prodding. I couldn’t deal with the temptation to turn on the TV again and watch the press conference, hoping for a glance of Alaric. His Royal Highness, I mentally corrected myself.
“Eden, come on. Don’t leave.”
I grabbed the keys from the hook next to the door and slung my messenger bag over my shoulder. “I don’t know when I’ll be back. Hope you have a good day. Maybe you’ll see a job posting you like.”
She rolled her eyes and I locked the door behind me.
The library would be quiet. No TV. No phones. And no traces of the king.
15
Alaric
The lodestar was detailed. Wallace had included more information than I asked for. I sat behind my desk, reading the details of Eden Jacobs’s life. There were posts from her social media accounts. Copies of her transcripts.
There was an abundance of facts. What was missing was the spaces in between. Her stories. Her words. The colors of her experience. This black and white piece of paper didn’t have that. So far she was like one of my abstract paintings.
According to the account, Emmanuel had driven her home late afternoon.
I picked up the royal line.
“Sir?”
“Have Emmanuel escort Miss Jacobs to my residence.”
Wallace exhaled. “Your Highness, you have continued meetings this morning. The press conference will be highly televised. The palace has precise focus this morning.”
My eyes narrowed. “I didn’t ask for your input. I asked for Miss Jacobs to be brought to me.”
“The palace is already surrounded by press. What if someone sees her arrive? Have you thought through this, sir?”
I could almost see his brow sweating. He hated potential scandal. He panicked over the slightest wrinkle in the royal family’s fabric. Corbin caused him countless sleepless nights.
“My business with Miss Jacobs is not for public consumption. I expect her to be in the royal residence when I’m finished with the prime minister. And I expect our security and your expertise to keep her off the radar.”
I left out the part about what my bear would do to him if Wallace didn’t have Eden here immediately. I hung up the phone before he could continue his veiled lecture on my personal habits. I don’t know which made him more nervous: my brother’s drinking, or my dealings at the Titan.
I didn’t care about Wallace’s warnings. Fuck caution. The hunger inside me had been growing since I awoke restless in my empty bed. Every inch of me wanting and needing another taste of Eden.
Until I had her again, I wouldn’t be satisfied. And neither would the beast inside me.
16
Eden
The library at the Conservatory was more crowded than usual. I had to hunt for a space in my favorite corner. I was a creature of habit. I liked to sit in the same area. I frowned when I saw a guy with shaggy blond hair taking up two seats at once.
I took the table next to his, casting nasty stares in his direction. I’d never seen him here before. I cracked my laptop, skimming for where I left off two days ago.
It seemed as if every time I rounded a corner of research, it only uncovered more roads for me to follow. That was my problem now. I was at a crossroads. I had several options, but I knew I wouldn’t be satisfied if I took a short-cut route. The only way to move in the right direction was if I received permission from the Literary Institute in London to examine one of the rare collections they housed. But access was so limited that they regularly denied professors, let alone PhD students.
My stomach did a little backflip as I opened the application for the London Institute and began to fill in the blanks. This opportunity could make or break my dissertation. What if I was rejected? They were infamously selective about who they let in to review the texts. I crossed my fingers when I hit send that I’d be one of the lucky few.
“Holy shit,” The student next to me whispered.
I turned to tell him that if he was going to take up two seats, the least he could do was be quiet. Instead I was distracted by his expression. I looked up in time to see four men in dark suits walking toward our corner. There was something familiar about them. I didn’t have time to put it together.
They were in front of my table.
“Eden Jacobs.”
“Yes?” I eked.
“Mademoiselle, please come with us.”
I stared at them. Shaggy blond hadn’t picked up his jaw yet.
“Why? What’s wrong?” I looked around, searching for some kind of life line.
“Come with us.” It was an order.
“Who are you?” The guy finally spoke up, still slouched behind his computer.
The first suit eyed him, unimpressed. “This is a royal concern.” His voice boomed loud enough to silence any further interference. The quiet library was suddenly like a graveyard. Everyone gawked at me.
I pulled my shoulders back. He couldn’t be serious. I was being summoned?
“What does he want?” I whispered.
“Matters of His Majesty aren’t discussed in open forums. Come.” He motioned to me to follow.
I didn’t like it. I didn’t like being summoned without a reason. I didn’t like that I hadn’t heard from Alaric.
I leaned forward. “No,” I whispered. “You can tell His Majesty to call me if he’d like to speak to me.” I glanced at my screen and pretended to ignore them.
I was smug. A little too smug. Proud that I had fended off the royal guard. But within seconds they had closed in around me, each one pulling under my arms and lifting me from the chair.
“Hey!” I yelped. I kicked my legs. “Put me down.”
They didn’t speak, but continued to carry me through the maze of tables and rows of books.
“You can’t just take me like this,” I hissed. I looked around for a librarian or someone to step in, but the crowd watched in awe.
I wiggled fruitlessly while they placed me in the back of a car marked with the royal crest and shut the door. I tried the handle but it was locked. There was no way out. I beat on the glass.
This was insane.
“Let me out of this car.” It sounded more like a whine than an ultimatum. I jerked on the handle again. The engine started and we pulled away from the library. I couldn’t believe this was happening.
We drove outside of the city and along the steep highway, curling around the low mountainside, until I had a full view of the palace.
I glared at the mass of stone and windows that towered over these grounds for centuries. Galonians loved their palace. It symbolized the richness of the monarchy. It showcased the majesty of the land. The architecture set the tone for the aesthetic of all Freychon. There were touches of the palace throughout the city. It may be reflected subtly in an archway above a shop door, or a column on one of the government buildings, but this palace was the centerpiece of the land.
Right now, it felt like I was being dragged to prison.
We rolled through the private tunnel and the car stopped at the back entrance. The door opened and I scowled at the officer who had taken me from the library.
“Please follow me.” He extended his hand.
“And if I don’t?” I challenged.
“You will be escorted by force,” he stated. There was no change in his voice or expression. I wondered how many people he bullied around like this.
“I will walk.” I scooted to the edge of the seat and st
ood outside the door. The same one that only two days ago I had walked through in a trance.
Maybe it had been a spell. I was caught up in the magic of the king. Stunned by The Titan’s gala. Overwhelmed by the sovereign.
Inside the elevator I remembered the kiss. The one that had made me breathless. The way my body responded and melted into his.
The doors opened at the top floor, and the officer waved me forward.
“You will wait here.”
I looked around. The residence was empty.
“For how long?” I questioned.
“Until His Majesty is here.”
“And how long will that take?” I crossed my arms.
“Wait here.” He pressed the elevator button.
The doors closed and I was alone in the king’s apartment.
17
Alaric
I stared at the prime minister. He read through the final draft of the new proposal. My urge to rush him was at an all-time high. I had catered to this man long enough. The hand carved clock above the mantle ticked with each passing second. The side door opened and Wallace walked in. He placed a folded card next to my elbow and retreated.
I scanned the brief report on the note and smiled.
She was here. Waiting.
Just when I thought I couldn’t be more restless.
My eyes bore into Armando’s. “Do we have a deal?”
He took a long pause, folding the leather cover over the proposal. The seal of Galona was emblazed on the outside.
“I believe I can work with these terms.” He flattened his mustache.
I nodded, concealing my desire to get the hell out of this negotiating room at a breakneck pace. He had consumed enough of my time for twenty-four hours.
I pushed back from my seat, extending my hand. “Thank you.”
He gripped my fingers. “Thank you, Your Highness. It’s a fair deal. It will benefit both our countries.”
“Yes it will.” I grinned. “Now, if you’ll excuse me. I have another royal matter to attend to. I apologize for the sudden departure. My staff will assist you.”
I turned for the door, almost sprinting down the hall—but Elena stopped me before I reached the first coat of arms. Her eyes pushed me backward. Those eyes were supposed to be reserved for when my brother fucked up, not me.
“What is it?” I hissed. “I just got out of there.”
“The press conference, Your Majesty.” She tapped her watch. “Now that the prime minister has agreed to the contract changes, we are shifting the focus from an announcement to an official signing. Your presence is required.”
“What the fuck?” I whispered.
She glared at me. I didn’t care. I had prioritized everything over Eden for two days. I was done with it.
Elena was good at her job. It was why I hired her. Even more important was how much I trusted her with Corbin when he went on one of his binges. But I didn’t like the tone she took with me now. I wasn’t a royal puppet to be managed.
“The prime minister leaves tonight. You have fifteen minutes before the signing begins, followed by a joint press conference.”
I inhaled. “Can’t we push it back an hour?”
“Why would we do that?”
I liked her. I trusted her. But I would not tolerate her disrespect.
Armando met us in the hall. He grinned. “My advisor has just informed me about the ceremony.”
Now there was a damn ceremony? I eyed my impertinent scheduler.
Elena smiled. “Thank you for participating, Prime Minister Caon. There is a royal escort who can show you to the blue ballroom. His Majesty will follow.”
“Thank you.” He reached for Elena’s hand and kissed it just below her knuckles. He waddled after the escort.
I waited until he was around the corner.
“The blue ballroom?” I balked. Were we trying to show the world we were kissing his ass? That room was reserved for the most prestigious and regal events.
“You’ve been locked in negotiations for two days. The press has been hounding us for a statement. The blue ball room is appropriate.”
“Who made that decision?” I asked.
“Wallace and I discussed it,” she reported.
I groaned. This had to stop. But I was in the middle of the fucking sandstorm. I couldn’t do anything until it was over.
“You, Wallace, and I are going to have a meeting. Soon,” I warned. “But not today. Evidently I have to get through a signing ceremony and answer questions from the press.” I didn’t tack on my plans with Eden.
“Anything you need, Your Highness.”
“I need a bourbon,” I muttered.
I saw her blink. She was used to chasing drinks out of my brother’s hand.
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that, Elena.” I pressed my lips into a thin smile.
“We should go.” Her eyes never looked up.
“Yes, let’s get this over with.”
18
Eden
As hours passed, I grew less intrigued and more annoyed by my summons. What was I doing here? I pushed the curtains away from the window and looked at the manicured lawns below. There was a fountain nearby that was illuminated. I was too high up to count the tiers of water that splashed into the pool.
I retied my hair bun for at least the tenth time, stabbing it with the pencil. I crossed my arms and began another lap around the apartment.
I heard the gentle bell of the elevator and stopped in the middle of my track, behind the couch. My heart sped up. My palms tingled. I waited for the doors to open.
“Who are you?”
Her voice was high. She was dressed in a long white gown that shimmered when she moved.
“I-I—who are you?” I retorted. Although, I didn’t know how much power I had to demand answers in this situation.
Her perfectly shaped eyebrows rose. “Princess Juliette.”
Shit. Holy shit.
“Oh, I’m sorry.” I cringed.
She placed a hand on her hip. “I take it you know where my brother is?”
“Actually I don’t.” I rounded the couch. “I’m Eden.” I extended my hand.
She looked at it. I didn’t know if I had just made a royal faux paus, but she took it with a mild shake.
“Nice to meet you, Eden.”
I smiled. “You don’t know where he is either?”
“I came straight from Sangreaux. I haven’t even changed. I need to discuss a few domestic matters with him.” She walked to the bar, letting the train on her dress slide across the floor.
I could see traces of Alaric’s features. The dark hair and dark eyes. But Juliette had a certain grace, as if she floated on her designer shoes. I had to remind myself not to stare.
“Drink?” she offered.
I nodded. It seemed rude to turn the princess down, especially after I treated her like an intruder in her brother’s home.
“So how long have you been seeing my brother?” She poured both of us a vodka drink.
“It’s not really like that.”
She twirled toward me. “It’s not? Hmm.”
I didn’t know if that meant she was surprised or if I had missed her sarcasm. I felt plain in my yoga pants. I was Cinderella before she met her fairy godmother. Juliette could’ve put any Prince Charming on his knees.
“However, you are here and he is not.” She tipped her glass toward me.
I felt the need to explain, but took a sip of the lemony vodka drink. What explanation would I give the princess? I certainly wasn’t going to tell her how I met her brother. And reliving today’s events didn’t seem any better.
We turned our heads when the elevator bell rang.
Juliette rushed to the doors. “I need to talk to you.”
Alaric stepped into the residence. He looked past his sister. His eyes landed on mine.
For a quick second I forgot how mad I was. How I was hauled out of the library. How I waited for hours with n
o word. One look and I was ready to melt into his lips again and get lost in his hands. Damn it. He was infuriatingly sexy.
“Alaric,” she urged. “It’s a state matter.”
His eyes cut to her. “Can’t it wait until tomorrow, Juliette? I have plans this evening.”
“Sorry, Eden.” She quickly looked at me over her shoulder. “No, it can’t. Where have you been anyway?”
“With the Bostique prime minister. You didn’t see the press conference? The ceremony?”
I knew he was speaking to her, but I shook my head.
“You’re always doing something.” She sighed. “It’s non-stop.”
“It is part of my job.” He loosened his tie. “Would you like me to stop running the country and drop everything to hear your problems?” He unbuttoned the top button.
I felt like one of the palace servants. I was there, but practically invisible to them as they continued their sibling banter.
“No. But you could at least grant my audience when I ask for it.”
“When do I deny your audience, Juliette?”
“I didn’t want to go to Sangreaux. You know that. Instead of meeting with me, you sealed the itinerary and I was on a plane.”
He closed his eyes. “Let’s continue this in my office.”
He led her across the room and into his private study. I watched until the door was closed. I sat on the sofa with my vodka, waiting for one of them to emerge. I could hear them argue from where I sat. It was back and forth. Neither one letting it get out of hand, but there was no doubt it was heated.
A few minutes later, I heard Juliette’s heels click across the floor. I turned to watch her.
“Good night, Eden. It was a pleasure to meet you.” She tapped the elevator button.
“Good night.” I rose from the sofa.
The door opened and the princess disappeared in a blur of glittery white.
