Page 49 of Promoted To His Princess

Adonis Nikolaides was slightly taller and broader than Xerxes, a warrior rather than a diplomat. His features were rougher, blunter, a statue of a god that had been worn over time rather than freshly carved like his brother. And carved out of granite rather than marble.

Power, authority, and brute strength radiated from every inch of him, his piercing blue eyes sharp as swords; he looked as if he should be on the battlefield in armour, wielding an axe, rather than dressed in the black-and-gold uniform of the Axian army, his chest covered in medals and ribbons.

Instinctively, Calista clicked her heels together and bowed.

The king’s straight black brows rose. ‘Since you’re not in uniform, a curtsey would be more appropriate,’ he said, his voice harsh, like stones grinding against one another.

Calista flushed. ‘I apologise, Your Majesty.’

He said nothing, merely eyed her.

There was a long moment of silence and Calista felt every second.

‘Your Majesty,’ she said at last, unable to stand it any more. ‘How can I be of—’

‘Are you in love with my brother?’ the king interrupted. ‘Because if you’re not, if the baby is not his and you’re merely using him to get a better life for yourself, I will make things very difficult for you.’

Shock swept through her, along with a chill that settled right down in her gut.

This wasn’t only the threat of a king, it was also the threat of an older brother who’d do anything to protect his younger sibling.

What did you expect? That the king himself would welcome you with open arms?

Calista swallowed, the memory of that day in the living room of the house on the coast replaying through her head. Of Xerxes, tall and strong and powerful, a prince in every line of him, kneeling in front of her as if she was the one who was royal.

It had made her feel afraid, made doubt catch hard inside her.

He shouldn’t have knelt to her, shouldn’t have looked up at her, fierce and full of heat, as if she was something worth looking at. As if she was worthy.

As if he cared about her.

He does care. And you know it.

Her throat closed up, her heart tight and painful behind her ribs, because it wasn’t fair. It wasn’t fair on him that she could never care for him in return.

The king was looking at her, obviously wanting an answer, but she had only one to give him.

‘No,’ she said, ignoring the hoarse edge to her voice. ‘I don’t love him. And for what it’s worth, Your Majesty, I’m not using him. I didn’t actually want to marry him, but Xerxes had other ideas.’

‘Did he?’ The king’s blue gaze glittered. ‘And what did you want?’

Calista lifted her chin. ‘I only wanted to serve my country. But—’

‘Xerxes had other ideas?’ he echoed.

She flushed, but didn’t look away. ‘Yes.’

There was speculation in the king’s eyes. ‘So why are you marrying him?’

‘Because he didn’t give me a choice.’ She smoothed her hands down her gown again, the cold feeling inside her getting stronger. ‘And because this baby needs a father.’

‘I see. And if you weren’t pregnant? Would you still marry him?’

A bitter, hard truth settled inside her.

‘No,’ she said, her voice almost a whisper. ‘I wouldn’t.’

The king didn’t show any surprise or shock. ‘Why not?’

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