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CHRISTINE
“Are you still mad at me, love?” August said while slipping into my bedroom. I was lying in bed, thumbing through a book Daphne lent me.
I looked up at him and then looked down at the pages once more.
I was mad. Furious, actually. I understood that his insecurities ran deep, and I never wanted to be a source of pain for him. But hearing all of them talk about me made my skin crawl.
Talking to Vivian helped, but I was still navigating the pain of it.
I didn’t love August because he was a king. He was so much more. I loved him because he looked at me like I was the only person in the world. I loved him because his words made me feel like I mattered. I loved him because he was a goofy teenager who couldn’t keep his hands off me. I loved August.
A feverish heat coursed through my veins as I watched him, his tawny eyes as warm as the sun, standing there. I could feel my heart choking out my words, and I burned with the desire to be close to him.
“I have no idea,” I uttered in a faint whisper. “It seems like we don’t have a place or even an idea of what to do next, and it’s scaring me.”
He stepped even closer, his intense gaze never wavering from mine. He slowly sat on the edge of the bed and asked me in a hushed voice, “If you could make a home anywhere, where would it be?”
With a racing heart, I pushed my book aside and stood up to meet him. Our skin seemed to melt into one as our bodies were entwined, sending an electric current through me. His lips, soft and gentle, seemed to erase all the turmoil that had taken root in my heart. We were completely absorbed in each other—an endless exchange of passion that surrounded us in a realm of bliss.
When we finally parted, he planted a kiss on my forehead as if it was not enough for him either. That gave me the courage to tell him, “I would go with you wherever you wanted me to—even if it was on the moon—not caring about our whereabouts as long as Atticus and Leo were with us and we were together.”
He caressed my neck with his rough, calloused hands. I quivered in response. His warm breath tickled my face as his forehead met mine. I was vulnerable, bare and exposed. It felt like I was begging him to look into my soul and recognize the hidden depths of my love for him.
He took a deep breath. “I never wanted the throne. I’ve been spoiled and pampered since I was born,” he said, then he paused. “But I wish to protect you and to put you on that throne because you have a pure heart and you care for our people.”
I shuddered as realization struck me. “The people deserve a murderer?” I asked, my voice barely audible.
He pressed his lips together in a knowing grin. “No,” he murmured, his breath tickling my skin. “The people deserve someone strong enough to take charge. Someone patient enough to put up with my crap, ruthless enough to survive anything, and loving enough to capture the hearts of three men.”
My heart raced as I studied him, wide-eyed and speechless. He thought I was someone capable of ruling a kingdom? I wanted to believe his words, but it was never something I planned for myself. Lord Nathan and Theodore DuPont had forced me into the role—marrying August meant he would assume the title of king, something he was born to do.
A shudder went through me as our gazes locked and held for a few moments too long. A pool of desire formed deep within me, and I wanted nothing more than for him to take me in his arms and make me forget the world beyond these four walls.
How was I supposed to lead?
I searched his gaze, savoring the way the intensity poured from his eyes and wrapped around my body. How was I supposed to lead?
“You don’t have to be ruthless,” he added quickly, his deep baritone sending ripples of pleasure up my spine. “But you must have the courage and strength to stand up for what is right. That’s what a good ruler does. And it’s why I was never cut out for the job. I’m too selfish, love.”
I bit my lip and looked up at him, basking in his warmth like a sunflower in the summertime. “You’re not as selfish as you think,” I whispered, my voice barely audible.
He leaned in and kissed my jawline, sending a shiver down my spine with each brush of his lips. His intoxicating scent filled me, competing with the musky smell of the room. “You make me a better man,” he breathed against my cheek, sending goose bumps along my skin as he pulled away.
I nodded, my throat tight with emotion. His gaze seemed so sure that it gave me the confidence to believe in myself—and him. But then, reality hit me like a ton of bricks—was it really possible for someone like me to rule?
“When they see you on that throne,” he said softly, his fingers tracing circles on my arm and sending sparks through my veins with every touch, “they will know without question that they are looking at a powerful leader who has been through hell and back—and won.”
I wanted what he promised—to make a better life for us—but first I had to acquire the skills necessary to lead. With determination, I vowed that no matter what awaited us, whether danger or love, I would fight until we reached our goal together as one unit: Atticus, Leo, August, and myself.
I nibbled my bottom lip, tasting the salt of my tears. “We can’t go back to the castle, August. Lord Nathan has built an army. I know I talked a big game in the kitchen, but I was worked up.”
I felt drawn to him like a magnet. He seemed to sense it too, because he stepped closer to me. “I actually have an idea on how to handle that,” he said softly as his intense gaze locked on mine.
“How to handle what?” Leo said, disrupting the moment as he suddenly appeared in my bedroom.
“August said he had an idea on how to handle Lord Nathan,” I answered, forcing myself away from August’s captivating presence and wiping the tears from my eyes.
“And here I was hoping we’d just hide here forever,” Leo replied. His low voice was a contrast from August’s but still sent a shiver up my spine. “I’ll get Atticus.” My heart sank at the thought of losing the serenity of being alone with August so soon.
