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“It’s important to know.”
“I…” I shake my head, still in disbelief over this conversation. Then I avert my gaze. “No.”
I don’t know what’s worse. Her questions about my sexual history, or my admission that at nearly twenty-five years old, I don’t have a sexual history. When you’re part of the royal family, it’s not as easy. Especially when you’re female. The last thing I need is for the tabloids to report on my sexual escapades, painting me as a slut, all while my brother is cheered for sticking his dick in anything with a pulse.
The double standards are exhausting, especially in upper class society.
“And your monthly cycle? It’s regular? No issues?”
“Why does that matter? Is there an application I don’t know about?”
She heaves a frustrated sigh, removing her glasses. “It’s imperative we’re aware of any potential reproductive problems beforehand. Regardless, I’ll schedule an appointment with the palace physician so he can do a thorough check. Make sure everything’s in working order.”
“Working order?” With every word she speaks, I feel less like a person and more like a piece of property. “Are you shitting me right now?”
“Esme! This behavior is incredibly unbecoming of a woman with your breeding and status. I’d caution against using language like that in front of Jameson and his father. Otherwise, I’m not sure how you’ll be received.”
Unable to stand listening to another second of this, I jump to my feet, my words spilling from me before I can stop them. “I’m not one of your goddamn horses that you parade around and put out to stud. I’m a bloody human being. And I’d appreciate it if I’m treated as such.”
Not even stopping to curtsey, I storm out of her study, needing to get as far away from her and her ridiculous plan as possible. My blood boils, anger blinding me to my surroundings. I’ve been in this place for less than an hour and I wish I never came back.
Wish I escaped when I still had the chance.
Wrapping my arms around my stomach, I keep my head lowered, not looking where I’m going until it’s too late and I run into something incredibly hard and firm, the force of the impact causing me to lose my balance.
I teeter on my feet, but before I fall, firm hands land on my hips, keeping me upright. I dart my head up, inhaling a sharp breath when I’m met with a pair of familiar dark eyes.
Chapter Two
Creed
Deep pools of green meet my stare, the surprise of running into Esme turning me into a statue. It’s not her presence that’s frozen me in place. This is Lamberside Palace. Before she and her brother moved to the apartments at Gladwell, she lived here. Her father and grandmother still live here.
Instead, my inability to conjure a single thought has more to do with the fact that the Esme I remember is nowhere to be found in the person standing before me. The girl I once knew is all woman, the way she carries herself full of sophistication and grace. There’s no longer a hint of awkwardness or uncertainty about her.
There wasn’t much awkwardness or uncertainty about her the last time I saw her, either.
Eight years ago.
The morning I left for basic training.
Despite the passing of time, I recall that day with striking clarity. How she wrapped her arms around me as she admonished me not to do anything stupid and to make sure I came home in one piece.
Then she pressed her lips to mine.
It was probably just a friendly gesture. We practically grew up together, our mums having been close before Multiple Sclerosis took her mother from her.
But not a single day in the past eight years has gone by that I haven’t thought about that kiss, even when another woman’s mouth covered mine.
And now that I’m mere inches from Esme, her lips parting as she stares into my gaze, her own surprise clear, I’m reminded of that kiss once more.
Something I shouldn’t be thinking of, considering she’s my best mate’s little sister, not to mention the Princess Royal. And in a few months, I’ll be sworn into the royal guard, one of the elite few tasked with protecting the lives of the royal family.
An honor to many.
And a legacy for me.
After all, a member of the Lawson family has been a part of the royal guard from the inception of this monarchy over five hundred years ago.
