Page 23 of Falling for the King

‘Your Majesties,’ she said upon reaching them and curtseying with extra care due to the weight of her jewellery. Not daring to glance at Xavier again instead she focused on Edgar who stared blatantly at her chest. Resisting a quake of repulsion and the desire to smack him across the face instead she greeted him as expected. ‘King Edgar, welcome to Maynet.’

‘Thank you, my dear, you look more lovely each time I see you.’ He took her offered hand and instead of shaking it planted a kiss on top of the glove dislodging a liberal dose of his cloying aftershave. Bile rose as she contemplated the truly horrifying thought of being wed to him. Those wet lips, fleshy hands touching her. Supressing a shudder she tried to free her hand as his grip tightened. What would she have done if marriage between them had been part of the peace treaty and Xavier had promoted the match, pushed it? How much would she have been willing to sacrifice for the country she loved? She didn’t allow her mind to remain on such a notion although political marriages were still common, Xavier was evidence of that. No. She wasn’t going there either, any path leading to Xavier and his views on marriage was banned because doing so would bring her to last night and what had happened in front of the fireplace. And that was forbidden. Xavier shifted and she threw him a quick look, catching a blare of fury directed at Edgar. She drew in a shocked breath and disentangled her hand rather than snatch it back all the while aware of Xavier. What was behind his uncharacteristic display of anger? That wasn’t part of any plan they’d discussed.

‘I’m admiring your … corsage. It suits you,’ Edgar continued unaware or unconcerned with any undercurrents, his gaze stuck a good few inches below where the rose sat. Stopping herself from pressing a hand over her neckline which could never be called revealing, even without being covered by her cumbersome necklace. Somehow she managed to keep both hands by her side as the urge to curl her fingers into a fist intensified.

‘Thank you, it’s a beautiful colour.’

‘It’s from my palace garden,’ he preened sticking his chest out in a ridiculous gesture.

Katerina looked over to Xavier and gave him a nod letting him know she was ready to proceed as planned. He hesitated then strode forward and opened the door off the main annexe.

‘You have fifteen minutes. I’ll be right here,’ Xavier said tension riding off him as he stood at the entrance to the room. Katerina headed in and stood in the middle of the meeting room cleared of all seating and tables as requested. She reminded herself that she’d insisted on meeting with Edgar alone. She gripped her handbag knowing that an alarm she could activate at any time was placed inside it. She wouldn’t need it, but Xavier, who’d taken some convincing on this course of action, would only agree if that was part of the plan.

‘My dear,’ Edgar began as soon as the door clicked closed shutting Xavier on the other side. ‘I’m sure it’s no surprise what I want to speak to you about. Xavier’s getting remarried and your place in Maynet, to be frank, isn’t stable. I can save you from that.’ His beady eyes travelled from her face to her chest and stayed there.

Katerina kept her demeanour relaxed although inside she was a mass of nerves even as she registered that she and Xavier had been correct. Edgar’s change to attending by himself had been prompted by Xavier taking Serena to the event last night. Pushing aside the thought of Xavier remarrying she focused on her response to Edgar, it needed to be careful, extremely so.

‘Thank you, Edgar, for the honour of your proposal. Resleigh is a beautiful country and you make a very attractive proposal. I know you’ve spoken to Xavier in the past but I want you to understand that Maynet is my home, will always be my home. I’ll never leave here no matter the incentive.’ She made herself speak slowly, clearly, ignoring the desire to rush through her words. To get this done.

He waved aside her refusal with a dismissive flick of his hand. ‘You’re young, you can settle anywhere. Marry me, you won’t regret it. Resleigh is bigger, my palace grander, my jewels,’ he said with a smirk, ‘are more impressive.’ He dropped his gaze slowly from her chest downwards and then over to his own groin in case she didn’t understand his repulsive insinuation. Biting back an angry response she ground her teeth together and kept her mouth closed. ‘Let me be frank. Your husband was a pup and this is your chance to be married to a man, a real man. I’d give you children, not like the men of Maynet.’

She dug her fingers into her handbag to keep herself on script. Don’t let him goad you. ‘You do me a great honour, Maynet a great honour, but please be assured I won’t be remarrying.’ She’d repeat the same thing a hundred times if she had to.

Edgar took a step closer to her.

‘Don’t you understand I’ve singled you out?’ he demanded. ‘You’re not from any kind of suitable breeding stock, you’re the one to gain from this, not me.’

Her shoulders stiffened at the insult and she resisted the urge to walk out yet instead she stepped forward. It’d never been Max’s title and position in Maynet that had made her fall for him, it was in her search for love and conviction she’d found it.

‘I know there would be many women who want nothing more than to be in my shoes but I’m not remarrying, I’m devoting the rest of my life to my duties here. I may be young but I won’t be changing my mind, no matter the incentive.’ Proud of her restraint she kept her tone even, her resolve firm.

‘I could make you change your mind. I could make it difficult for you, for Maynet,’ he said with an angry bite as he crossed his arms.

She sucked in a breath and hoped, not for the first time, that she’d made the right choice pushing for this audience. Alone.

‘You could. You’re a powerful man. One who’d have women beating down the door to marry you. You deserve a wife who is ready to embrace all you have to offer, not one intent on staying in her own country.’ Conviction pounded through her words, there would be many happy to take up Edgar’s offer. Only not her, never her.

‘But it’s not really your country, is it?’

‘It is now.’

He leant closer yet she refused to back away regardless that every one of her hackles rose.

‘You’re making a mistake. A big one. But if you’re intent on remaining in his inferior country that’s your choice. I officially rescind my offer to you and be assured I won’t ever ask you again.’

‘I understand, Edgar, and I don’t believe I’m making a mistake,’ she said calmly even as her mouth dried, her heart pounded.

‘Well you’ve ruined your chance with me. Now I can look for my next queen without any sense of obligation to you, to the alliance between our countries. It will be like this conversation never took place.’

For a stunned moment Katerina stood there. Had she done it? Refused him without any repercussions?

The door swung open and Xavier filled the space, his eyes narrowing at Edgar’s proximity to her.

‘What the hell’s going on?’ Xavier demanded.

Edgar took a hasty step backwards.

She mentally coaxed herself. This wasn’t over. Not yet.