Seraphina said nothing when the maids appeared with a dress and several baskets full of things. They prepared her for something that she was yet to be informed about. She could ask the maids but knew that they wouldn't answer her even if they knew what was going on. It was not surprising that Hawthorn kept them in the dark.
When the crown was on her head, Seraphina stood. The maids fluffed out the creamy dress, ensuring it was sitting correctly. Moving to the door, Seraphina opened it and saw Orin waiting for her.
"Good evening, your highness."
"Back to that, are we? No longer the outcast?"
"I abide by the rules."
"Oh, is that right? When did you start doing that?"
Orin frowned at her.
"Because I seem to recall that you disobeyed quite a lot of rules a few years ago. Perhaps you like to pick and choose the rules you want to obey."
"I am not entertaining your need to goad me into a fight about the past. I have moved on,"
"That's because your life wasn't destroyed by the actions of others. It was easy for you to move on because nothing happened to you. As for my needs and goading you into something, well, you'd better get used to it because I don't recall ever hearing an apology from you."
"I saved you, Seraphina. Ruslen wanted you dead, and I was the one that convinced him to let you live and marry Hawthorn."
Seraphina couldn't handle the anger that had grown. With a hard swing, her fist connected to Orin's nose, sending him backwards. The guards that were assigned to stand at the door winced.
Orin staggered back. His hand wiped the blood that had slipped onto his upper lip.
"If you're expecting gratitude from me for what you did, you'll be waiting for a long time."
Seraphina began walking down the corridor. Orin scowled at the guards who were smiling at him and chased after the queen.
He hadn't told her where to go, but Seraphina figured it was time to talk to Hawthorn. As much as she didn't want to, she knew it had to happen sometime.
Hawthorn's eyes lifted as the doors to his office opened. Amusement filled his face as he stood and watched Seraphina enter the room.
"My darling wife, how lovely to see you on this wondrous night."
He moved around his desk to Seraphina, lifting her hand. Devious delight shone brightly as he kissed the knuckles. It stilled when he saw her face flinch slightly. The reaction was not what he expected.
Glancing at Orin, who was holding a handkerchief to his nose, Hawthorn smiled.
"You naughty thing," he whispered. "What did he do to you now?"
Seraphina frowned and pulled her hand free. She moved away from Hawthorn to greet the guest seated in front of Hawthorn's desk. Seraphina stopped and stared at the man. He was equally surprised and frowned at Hawthorn when he sat at his desk again.
"What is this? Was she your spy?"
"No. Seraphina has been away for a few years, but your recent effort to take me down has brought her back to the sanctum. I am disappointed, Jack. I thought we had an understanding, and yet you still lied. You said that you didn't attend the meeting, yet you recognised Seraphina. Because you have offended the House of Lukariah, I believe compensation is required here. For not stopping the General from spying on us and planning to kill me, for your failure to notify me that the meeting was taking place, for actually attending the meeting and I can only assume that you voted for the plan,"
"He did," Seraphina murmured.
"Ahh, she is a treasure, isn't she?"
Jack did not answer.
"The British government will provide diplomatic immunity and personal inviolability to all members of the Lukariah royal family from now until the end of time for the entire world, including the United Kingdom. It will also extend to the senators, guards and staff employed by the Lukariah royal family."
The Prime Minister shook his head, huffing loudly.
"I cannot just,"
"You can," Hawthorn interrupted. "But you just don't want to. If you decide that you cannot be bothered dealing with my citizens or me, then stand before your people and admit the truth about your indiscretions. I will remain true to the agreement if you provide the immunity, but if you don't, then we will have a problem. I expect that you will provide confirmation within twenty-four hours. Otherwise, I will release the information to the highest bidder."
Jack hesitated, feeling the sweat roll past his temples. Glancing at Seraphina, Jack knew that he'd been backed into a corner. If the vampires had planned this out or if it was true that she had nothing to do with it, he didn't know. If Jack was truly honest, he would admit that he didn't care what the vampires did so long as they stayed away from him and his family. The king was not doing that at the moment. He was threatening everything in Jack's perfect world.
"Fine," Jack hissed.
"How wonderful. When the deadline has passed, and you have provided in accordance with my requirements, we should meet again to discuss a treaty between our races."
"The public does not need to know about vampires."
"Oh, I agree, but I don't like finding out that your underlings are misbehaving. So I will create my list of requirements, and perhaps you could do so as well. When you've provided the evidence of immunity, contact my advisor and arrange a time to return."
"Is that it?"
Hawthorn smiled as he leaned back in his seat.
"For now."
The Prime Minister stood, and with a slight bow, he turned to leave the room. As the door opened, one of the office staff walked in. Katerina watched the Prime Minister stomp his way out of the king's office, then turned. The smile on her face fell when she saw the queen standing in the room.
Politely, she curtsied.
"Good evening, your highness. Lovely to see you again."
"That's rather surprising to hear you say that considering my return means you'll finally have to close your legs."
"Be nice, Seph," Hawthorn chided.
The woman gave the queen an uneasy look as she moved to the king's desk. The folders were set to the side where she always left his correspondence.
As Katerina looked up, she saw the merciless stare that told her that the queen hadn't changed. She saw more than she should and did not hesitate to voice her thoughts on something. Katerina waited for the king to dismiss her, hoping the queen would not say anything more.
With a flick of his hand, Hawthorn freed Katerina. She scuttled out of the room, closing the door as quickly as she could manage. All the while, Seraphina watched her with a dominating glare.
The door was closed, and Seraphina was alone with the one vampire she didn't want to be near.
Her body tightened as his hands clasped her shoulders. She could hear the amusement in his voice as he leaned closer to her ear to whisper.
"You're not jealous, are you?"
Seraphina turned with a challenging smile.
"No, but if you think you stand a chance, then you would be a wise vampire to remove all obstructions. And perhaps the sharp objects."
Seraphina tried to leave, but Hawthorn gripped her wrist, pulling her back. She turned to face Hawthorn, hating that he was wearing the crown, hating herself for thinking it suited him.
It had always been a battle. A war waged in her mind because Seraphina could not cope with the fact that she found Hawthorn attractive. Her mind taunted her that she was a self-indulgent monster who was betraying everyone that had died at the hands of Ruslen Lukariah and his guards.
Hawthorn was the only son of a vampire with grand ideas that involved a deadly path for many. Both he and Nesrin quietly followed behind their father, obeying and desperately trying to remain unseen by their monstrous father. Did that make any difference for Seraphina? She didn't want to admit it, but it did.
"You still want to kill me?"
"Ever since the day I met you."