AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I cup Baxter’s cheek, and his blood immediately rushes to greet me, making him flush with warmth. “Make me remember,” I say. “Do it now, before I lose my courage.”
Lucien’s gaze widens. “No, wait.”
Baxter places his hands on either side of my head. Pressure ascends on me like I’ve been buried alive. I part my lips to scream just as Lucien wraps an arm around my waist.
“Don’t move her,” Baxter snaps. “I’m already in her mind. Hold the princess.”
My eyes roll back in my head as I tumble into darkness once more.
My mother watches me from the settee by the window, like the beautiful, deadly creature she is.
Her legs are tucked underneath her, similar to how a snake coils its body, and her dress glitters like scales. The only thing missing are fangs. Although, venomous words and her propensity to kill people are certainly present.
At her nod, I enter the room fully and shut the door behind me. A curtsy follows.
“Good evening, my queen.”
“Come here, Alice.”
I straighten and walk over to where she sits in the parlor, my pulse hammering within my chest like a drum heralding my fear. Once I’m a foot away, I stop and clasp my hands in front, a show of gentle demeanor.
And to hide the trembling of my fingers.
She cocks her head, her gaze sharp. “What do you think of my Captain of the Guard?”
My lack of expression is due to the nature of my childhood. It trained me to protect myself from my mother’s inquisitions and antics. But only after I was taught a harsh lesson because of my failings.
“He’s a soldier,” I say, keeping my voice even. “What do you think of him?”
“I want to fuck him.”
I give her a shrug while ignoring the weeping of my soul. Even though I’d warned myself it was only a matter of time before my mother dug her claws into Baxter, I foolishly hoped he’d escape her clutches. The fates might’ve blessed him with looks, but they’re more of a curse than anything else.
“Go ahead.” I wave a hand and sigh as though bored. “Your sexual escapades are none of my affairs.”
“No, but yours are definitely of importance to me.”
I scrunch my face in confusion. “But I haven’t slept with your captain, so I don’t understand why we’re talking about him in the first place.”
“That’s theprecisereason we’re discussing him. You haven’t taken him to your bed. Why not?”
“I’m sure I don’t need to tell you that I’ve been busy securing the nobles’ support in our rally against the White King and Queen. That leaves me little time to do much else.”
The queen taps her ruby lips. “Even so, I would think you’d want him. A strapping young man like him is nice to have around.”
“Your majesty, please tell me what this is about. You’ve never been one to ask for my opinion on a bedmate before pursuing them, so why are we discussing Baxter? If you want him, take him.”
“Baxter?” She smiles at me and my heart plummets to the depths of my stomach. “I didn’t realize you were on a first name basis.”
I hold her gaze in hopes it’ll hide how unsettled I am. “I make it my business to know who everyone is. Especially when it concerns your safety. I only met the man once in the gardens. He warned me to return inside, claiming it wasn’t a good idea for me to be alone outdoors.”
She scoffs and sets her slippered feet on the marbled tile. As soon as she’s standing, we’re at eye level. Although my mother hasn’t touched my skin, I swear she can still see straight into the center of my heart.
It’s where my yearning for Baxter lives.
Nox is the only other man I’ve ever felt a pull towards, but somehow, I’ve managed to keep the queen from finding out about him. I have to do the same with the captain. However, given the fact that she brought me here to converse about him, my chances of success are null and void.
“Is that so?” She holds out her hand. It’s an unspoken command, but it strikes me as painfully as a slap to the face. “Then let me see.”
