Caroline leaned forward, letting the tip of the knife pierce her skin. “Why is your anger directed toward me, sweet one? He’s the one we both should feel murderous toward.”
“He was mine,” Jaine sobbed. “We’re having a baby.”
“Ah, well, technically, he was mine first—and my rights supersede yours. Or have you forgotten to whom you are speaking?” Caroline snarled.
Jaine’s skin drained of color and the knife she released clattered to the ground between them. A single sob escaped her trembling lips before Jaine fled from the room. Caroline released Felix. He ran to the door, chasing her. Before he made it to the hallway, Caroline called his name, and he paused, looking back—a glare shot in her direction.
“You are no longer welcome in Everstal. Take your pregnant wife, whatever you can carry and leave my kingdom. If I ever see your face again, you’ll die, she will die, and I’ll take your child and raise it as my own. And I will teach them to adore me and be my perfect mirror. Is there anything about that you don’t understand?” Caroline arched an eyebrow.
“Understood, Your Majesty,” he snapped.
“One more thing.” She walked over and pulled a ring from her pocket, slipping it on her thumb. Felix flinched as she grabbed his wrist. A quick swipe with the little blade that was fashioned onto the silver ring which lined up with her own pointed nail but longer, and a line of blood welled up where it’d passed. She eyed the blade, pricking her pointer finger on its tip, and the blood collected on its surface mingled with hers. A chilly energy zipped through her, and the connection was made.
“I will give you one more command as my final parting gift. You are not allowed to bed another woman for as long as you live. You made your choice in Jaine. Now you live with it.”
His eyes saidI hate you, but his head only nodded a single time before he turned and raced after his wife.
Chapter 7
Theclickofherheels sounded as Caroline stepped out into the hallway to watch Felix round the corner in a jog. She flicked her eyes up at Johnneth, who was waiting in the hallway. He’d heard everything too, and his striking face was scrunched up in disapproval. Johnneth grimaced as he searched her eyes. The silver must be duller, more muted because of what she’d done.
“Come, I need to get out of this awful dress,” she said, shifting the bodice as if it was what made her uncomfortable.
“Was that not the result you intended?” Johnneth asked, stepping from his position on the wall, falling in line behind her.
“It was a perfectly executed punishment.” A dribble of Felix’s seed traced down her inner thigh, eliciting an involuntary shiver, which shook her entire frame. “Gods, that man had a lot of cum. I guess that’s what happens when it’s been a while. You, guards, wouldn’t know anything about that, would you?” she teased, flashing a half-hearted wink back at him. Caroline grabbed a handful of her dress and used it to wipe her thigh, then picked up her pace, eager to get to her room.
Johnneth’s jaw ticked at the thought of Felix’s seed on her, and he cursed the protective instinct that the queen’s presence constantly triggered. Since those first few weeks he’d gotten better at wrestling it under control and thank the Gods he had. Every sound she’d made had passed through the door. Caroline had intentionally not been subtle. The sound of her moans and the slapping of flesh were too much. He wasn’t sure if he should plug his ears or go in, execute the man, and take over for him.
Caroline stormed into her suite. As he passed an attendant dusting in the sitting room, he ordered them to draw the queen a bath before he followed her into the bedroom.
Caroline was wrenching around her back, clawing, trying to get at the lacing of her gown. “Johnneth, get it off me,” she hissed, having no success.
He approached her. “Here… be still.” She was wrestling with the garment, like she might break out of it, so he grabbed her shoulders, stabilizing her with a firm grip.
“I can’t help you unless you be still.” He got ahold of the bow—more like a knot—at the top. She must have caused the tangle with all her thrashing or when she was with… never mind.
“Get it off,” she demanded. “Johnneth. Please.” His name was a plea on her lips, and he could see sweat gathering along her blotched neck. Caroline tugged at the top of her bodice. The queen was imploding.
“Stop,” he said, voice raised. It came out a little harsher than he planned, but she froze. It was long enough for him to get his fingers inside the upper seam at the top of her shoulder-blades and rip.
The sound of shredding fabric blew through the room. The silk split down to the small of her back, exposing the two divots on either side of the base of her spine. Caroline caught the front of the dress before it fell to the floor, holding it against her bare chest. Then, as if remembering what she held to her, she let it drop.
It took a moment to make sure the queen’s rapid breathing settled before he turned away. She was slim, but her hips flared out enough that she wasn’t boyish at all. Her curves were fluid sweeping down her tall frame—what was he thinking? The last thing Johnneth should be pondering was the queen’s shapely physique.
Especially after she’d been with another man moments earlier. Especially considering his mission and that damn smile.Specialist Brock Holzman, Angus’s choice, wouldn’t be staring at the queen’s ass. He’d be doing his job. It was bad enough he’d touched her waist the day before.
“Are you okay?” he asked, voice soft, testing the water.
“Burn it,” she answered in a flat tone, then made her way to the bathing chamber.
After he’d taken care of the dress in the enormous fireplace in the sitting room, and gone to fetch Caroline a drink, he tapped on the bathroom door.
“Come in,” she said, voice lighter than it had been before.
He slipped inside the steamy room. Dragging a stool over he sat a cool beverage on it without a word, and returned to his position, pressing his back against the wall right inside the door.
Caroline eyed the glass. “What’s this?” She picked it up and gave it a sniff.
