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She took a long, cool shower, thinking that might help. Standing in front of the mirror afterward, about to brush her teeth, she realized she didn’t have her toothbrush. Anything to sleep in... This was insane.
She stalked out to the salon, a towel wrapped around her. “I have nothing to sleep in.”
Nik gave her an even look. “Abram had one of the palace staff pick you up a few things. They’re in the wardrobe. There are toiletries in the bathroom, as well.”
She went back to the bedroom. Opened the doors of the beautifully carved antique wardrobe. Lined up beside Nik’s suits were a half-dozen dresses, a couple of bathing suits and a short, sheer ivory negligee.
He had been that sure of her. Also seemingly assured she would grace his bed in the sexy lingerie.
She slammed the wardrobe shut. Walked out into the salon. “Give me one of your T-shirts.”
He blinked. “There’s something to sleep in in there, too.”
“I am not here for your amusement. Give me a T-shirt, Nik.”
He got to his feet, walked into the bedroom and returned with a white T-shirt.
She yanked it out of his hands, went into the bathroom and got ready for bed. She was still attempting to get to sleep when Nik joined her. She stayed on her side, curled up, wondering how one night, one decision, could so hugely impact her life. Wondering how, even now, when she hated him, she could still feel the physical pull that drew her to the man on the other side of the bed.
They had never shared a bed and not made love. It was a strange and alienating feeling that added to the fury she felt, making it impossible to quiet her head. But apparently, a self-righteous, convinced-that-he-was-right Nik wasn’t having any issues sleeping. His breathing had evened out and he wasn’t making a peep.
She punched down her pillow. Tucked in again. Finally admitted what she knew to be true. Her and Nik’s child would be born into a firestorm. He or she would be a symbol of hope for a nation. As terrified as she was of what was to come, she had to forgo her own selfishness and be there for her child. So they knew they were loved. So they would carry the burden they would assume without it destroying them. It was the promise she would make to them.
Even if it meant giving up everything she knew. Even if it meant spending her days protecting her heart from Nik. Which might prove to be the biggest challenge of all.
CHAPTER FIVE
NIK WAS UP at the crack of dawn for his journey to the neighboring island of Cabeirius to meet with King Idas on neutral ground in an attempt to put an end to the tensions between the two countries. Democracy and a desire for its independence had spoken in Akathinia over a hundred years ago and it would continue to be its guiding principle.
Idas elected to be his usual provocative self in the meeting, many of his statements based on falsehoods and misleading information. Nik might have been able to counter them more effectively had his advisers been better prepared on the points in question and been able to provide him with comebacks on the fly. He had been away from Akathinian politics too long to have every fact at his disposal.
Things went from bad to worse. By the end of the meeting, he had been left flat-footed one too many times, his fury catching fire. “Your commentary is inflammatory and untrue,” he bit out, slamming his coffee cup down on the table. “You are making the markets and people uneasy, Idas. Push me much further and you’ll give me no choice but to shut you up.”
The white-haired, craggy-faced king eyed him, his lips twisting. “So passionate, Nikandros. So unlike your brother, who listened to reason. You are living up to your reckless reputation. I wonder what will be left of Akathinia when you’re done with it.”
Blood pounded his head, blinding him to the room around him. He stood up, fixing his gaze on Idas. “Let me know when you are willing to act like a reasonable man.”
He was still shaking with anger as the Akathinian military helicopter lifted off from Cabeirius. It wasn’t until they were halfway home to Akathinia that his brain right-sided itself. He had let Idas goad him into saying things he hadn’t intended to say. Into issuing threats he hadn’t intended to issue. Perhaps he would have called the Carnelian king’s bluff eventually, but not until he had Aristos Nicolades in his back pocket and an enhanced armed forces behind him.
It did not make his dark mood, inspired by Sofi´a’s recalcitrance, any better, he conceded, staring out at an endless vista of blue. She had acted like a woman wronged when he’d brought her here, determined to hang on to her story that she hadn’t planned her pregnancy. And although he’d been moved by the account of her father’s death, by where the vulnerabilities he’d always seen in her came from, she needed to agree to this marriage. He needed this particular item off his to-do list. He had only so much head space.
