Chapter 34
RAINE
D40% O 16:16
Rhona chased Lily and Sarah out of the bedroom to carry on with their chores. She dawdled about the bedroom, pretending to dust, shifting ornaments around.
âIs there something bothering you, Rhona?â I asked when she picked up the same jewelry box for the third time
to dust it.
She turned around and came to sit at the foot of the bed. âActually, there is.â
âWell, spit it out.â She was the nearest thing to a friend I had in the castle. I sat upright, eager to be of help if I could.
She frowned and looked down at the carpet. âI know I told you to stop the princess from drinking that horrible
tea, but what if she was the one who made it? Or had it made.â
âEven if she did, it was the best thing to stop her from drinking it.â The thought that she and Sorin would go to such lengths to destroy Amaris, killing their own pup, it sounded ridiculous, horrifying. âIâm glad we stopped her,
Rhona.â
âYes, your Majesty. I wouldnât want his majesty to be harmed.â Rhona said and I saw the adoration shining out of her face. She loved Amaris. There was no hiding it.
I couldnât help but feel sorry for her, loving someone who didnât even acknowledge your existence, I knew how that felt. There was no jealousy in my heart because of it. It was good to know that at least one more person loved Amaris enough to protect him.
There was a knock at the door and Rhona went to open it.
âBeta Ross, my lady is not supposed to get up. She is not feeling well.â Rhona barred the entrance.
âI just wanted to check on Her Majesty and to see if she is well enough for me to begin her instruction.â He told her in his deep baritone voice that held all the authority of his position.
âPlease come in, Beta Ross. I am fine.â I called out to him.
Emergency calls only MO
Chapter 34
D40%. 116 16
He cleared his throat. âIâm sorry, Milady, but I cannot enter your bedroom without the king present.â
âHer Majesty is on strict bedrest. She is not able toâ¦â
I interrupted Rhona by coming to the door. âI am well enough. Where do you want to begin the instruction, Beta Ross?â
âYour Majestyâ¦â Rhona widened her eyes at me, shaking her head.
I touched her arm. âItâs fine. Really, I was getting bored out of my mind staying in bed.â
Beta Ross offered me his arm. âI think the kingâs office is the ideal place to start.â
âThe king will punish me for this.â Rhona said over the link.
âI wonât allow it.â I replied.
His office held his scent, the woodsy fragrance that belonged only to him. It was like he was right there. I ran my hands over the top of the rich brown mahogany desk, imagining him sitting in his black leather swivel chair, looking all serious and kingly. I smiled to myself, fantasizing about him taking me right there over the desk.
Beta Ross cleared his throat. âPlease take a seat, your Majesty.â
My face went scarlet as the blood rushed up from my neck. I had completely forgotten the man was right behind me. Meekly I went to sit behind the desk.
He went to the hutch behind me and took out a hefty book. âThis was the Queenâs handbook and of those before her. You should read it.â He smiled vaguely. âThat would be your lesson for today. I will be nearby if you should need me.â
âConduct for Queensâ I read aloud. Was he trying to insult me? When I looked up to question him, he was gone. But having nothing else to do, except wishing Amaris was here, I began to read and found I couldnât put it down. It was interesting, instructive and humorous.
After some time Rhona came to bring me refreshments.
âAre you alright, Milady? You should come back to bed if you are tired.â She bent forward to look at what I was
2/4
emergency calls only w
Chapter 34
040% 16:17
+5
reading. âAs if you donât know how to behave,â she scoffed. âYou have a kind nature. Donât be anything else than what you are, your Majesty.â
âI was bullied my whole life, Rhona. To fight back is difficult. How does one do it?â I asked, closing the book.
She perched herself on the desk, smiling at me. âAnd still, you remain kind. You have the power of the crown behind you, there is no one who would dare bully you.â She tapped her chin, thinking. âBut if they did, I bet my life you will find the strength to stand up to them. You will fight to right the wrongs, to defend those who cannot speak for themselves. There is something different about you, if you donât mind my saying.â She peered into my face, scrunching up her eyes as if looking for something.
I giggled at her, dismissing what she said with the wave of my hand. âIâm just me.â
âAnd that is all you need to be.â Amaris filled the room with his presence.
Rhona jumped off the desk, bowing respectfully. âSorry, sorry your waiting for him to acknowledge her.
Majesty.â She stood rooted to the spot,
âAmaris! Youâre back!â I tried to get up, but he was beside me in a heartbeat.
âWhy are you not in bed?â He knelt beside me, holding my hands. âYouâre pale. Rhona!â
âAmaris donât scream at Rhona. I needed to get up.â I said, lowering my voice and touching our foreheads. together.
He glanced at the book on the desk. âTo read this rubbish?â Picking it up he snorted through his mouth. âWaste of time.â
âNo, I found it interesting. Rhona, please get His Majesty some refreshment.â
âRight away, your Majesty.â
She left in a hurry, and I held out my arms to him. Smiling, he lifted me off the chair into his arms.
âIâve missed you.â I said, my lips against his.
He kissed me softly, as if he was scared, I would break. âAnd I you. Iâm taking you back to the bedroom.â
Who could refuse the king anything.
3/4
calls only M3
Emergency calls onlyM
Chapter 34
40% 16:17
+5
Are you
going to tell me where you were?â He lay with his head in my lap on the bed, eyes closed while I played
with his black locks.
He grunted, âI brought back a prisoner. Or two, if you count the pregnant Luna.â
I stopped my actions, and he opened his eyes. âAmaris?â
âDonât look so alarmed. I havenât done anything to them. Yet.â He rolled off my lap and went to pop a grape into â his mouth. âI suspect this Alpha of treason. But I will give him a fair trial.â
Iâve heard many rumors of Amarisâ cruelty, but I have yet to experience it and the g ods knew, I wouldnât want to.
âThe Luna?â I gripped the edge of the blanket. âDonât tell me you have her locked up in the tower or somewhere horrible.â
He ate more of the grapes. âOf course not, Iâm not a monster. Sheâs here in one of the guestrooms. Under strict guard.â He took one look at me and frowned. âAnd you are not to go there under any circumstances.â
Emergency calls only