Page 32 of Falling for the King

‘Kerrie gave you an update?’ At the end of each shift Vicki and Kerrie messaged each other a handover so they were up to speed with what had happened. A tried and tested system that worked well although she couldn’t help but wonder what had been said about Xavier coming back with her last night, which was without precedent.

‘Yes,’ she said with great enthusiasm like she did everything. ‘Did you want me to come back later?’

‘Now is fine.’

‘You’ll need this then.’ She handed Katerina a cup of tea with a smile.

‘Thanks,’ she responded with her own smile, a far less convincing one.

‘Are you okay with me getting out the clothes planned for today and running through your hair and make-up?’

‘Yes,’ Katerina said although they both knew exactly how she’d have her hair and make-up, the same as she requested every day. She ignored the pang of guilt at not giving either of them any variety but she knew what worked for her, and the reasons why.

Sinking into the lush lounge chair Katerina took a sip of the fragrant brew. Closing her eyes, she waited for it to do its usual calming job but today it didn’t. She still felt flat, tired, terrified of her feelings.

Hearing the squeak of wheels she opened her eyes to watch Vicki bring in the hanging rack with her day’s clothing. A variety of dark, drab outfits swung as she wheeled. Katerina bit back a sigh at the thought of another day dressed like the weather. Winter had come early to the country especially the eastern border they now skimmed along and the trip into the forest wouldn’t change that.

She looked outside to the continuing rain, the bleakness.

‘I’d like to wear something brighter today.’

‘Really?’

Katerina turned to Vicki focusing on her eager, hopeful face as she stood beside the hanging garments.

‘Yes,’ Katerina said quickly before she could change her mind.

‘I packed that pink dress and coat just in case.’

‘Just in case?’ Katerina bit back a wry laugh.

‘Yes, it will look great on you, it’s your perfect colour and style.’

‘Remind me, who’s the designer?’

‘Hasting Brown, she’s Maynetian, of course. The outfit is from her first collection.’ Katerina only wore Maynetian designed and made clothing often from up-and-coming designers although the press lamented her choice of designs. They labelled her style, nana clothing, a reflection on her choices, not the designer. She hadn’t worn bright colours for years, she used to love them but after her wedding she’d made so many mistakes she’d decided to stick to the basics—black, grey, navy. She’d wanted to appear older, more mature and she thought those colours would help. Subconsciously, she could now admit it had been a way to lessen the sting of what Max had said to her on their wedding night. She’d hoped if she blended into the background no-one would notice her. How she could have ever thought that she didn’t know. She centred herself and made a decision; she wasn’t hiding anymore.

‘Let’s do it,’ Katerina said.

***

Xavier stood on the new undercover train platform and waited for Kat who’d until recently always been Katerina to him. Now he couldn’t think of her any other way. He’d had a morning meeting with Edgar and, eager to get him out of the country, had personally escorted him to the helipad as soon as they’d finished. Edgar had taken that time to boast how tired he was after spending the night with a much younger woman. As distasteful as Edgar’s complete lack of discretion was whatever two consenting adults chose to do was their business. Xavier had no doubt it was a balm to Edgar’s enormous ego after Kat’s rejection.

A rejection he could now admit she should have been allowed to manage for herself. He hadn’t wanted to burden her with what he felt was his responsibility and he certainly had no experience at sharing his concerns, his duties, with anyone else. But she’d told him point blank it wasn’t up to him to handle this on her behalf, it was up to her to refuse him, and she’d been right.

He viewed the platform that kept the worst of the weather conditions at bay yet created a wind tunnel which was far from pleasant and wet underfoot. The royal train, a remnant from a past era, gleamed alongside the team of volunteers who now ran it. When he’d considered discontinuing it due to mounting running costs and placing it in a museum, he’d been approached by a group of train enthusiasts eager to be involved. These days it was used for charity joy rides, fundraising and as part of as many of his tours that could be managed, much to the enjoyment of all involved, including himself. Except today it felt different, he was going to be spending the day in the confines of the royal carriage with Kat. Although lavish, it wasn’t overly spacious.

He shifted his footing wondering when it had become impossible for him to go a minute without thinking about her. He’d known her for years without this effect. The terrified teenager he’d first met had raised a protectiveness in him that was a natural feeling towards his sister-in-law, a member of his family. Since the day he’d passed on Edgar’s proposal he’d begun to lose all focus and was now achingly aware of her as a woman. A beautiful, alluring woman who kept him awake night after night. One who had him heading out for runs in freezing conditions like this morning trying to outrun thoughts, feelings, urges that he had no right to feel. And she was smashing down barriers he’d purposely erected as he found himself sharing more with her than he ever had with anyone else.

The fine hairs at the back of his neck lifted, the energy in the space changed and abruptly he turned.

She was wearing pink.

Too light to be called dark too dark to be called light. It was the pink of the native flowers that bloomed in spring for a month only, that grew wild and untamed across the country. The fitted coat clung to her small waist and generous breasts. A complete contrast from the baggy style she’d favoured for years and fell to mid-calf flapping around shapely legs. Black heels, dangerously high as expected matched her bag.

A flare of heat speared him and he stood taller, straighter.

In a world of grey Kat provided the only colour.