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“That’s odd,” Hanna told him. “I think we are remembering things differently once more.”
“And that is what I love about you being here,” Phillip answered. “You’ll see what I don’t, and will be a superb help with my anniversary party planning. I hope you can feel my gratitude.”
The discussion dug into the logistics of the anniversary party. Roles were defined, and then Phillip finally left.
The visit with Phillip reminded Taryn of a time many years ago when her father, the King of Autumhart, brought in an animal trainer to entertain during a holiday party. The animal trainer had a snake. It was a beautiful snake with scales that shined the full spectrum of the rainbow when the sunlight struck its skin.
It was so tempting to want to pet the snake, but the snake had to be viewed from a distance. It was a Tong viper, and even the tiniest prick from one of its fangs would drop a horse. Phillip reminded Taryn of that viper.
There was a moment of silence right after Phillip left, and then Hanna turned to Taryn. “Are you doing okay?”
“I am great,” Taryn told Hanna. “This whole conversation helped. Until this morning, what and how I would be helping Phillip was a little foggy.”
“Is it clearer now?” Hanna asked.
“Clear as mud. Thank you for asking.”
“I want to tell you something,” Hanna said. “I think this will be helpful and hopefully not offend you.”
“Okay,” Taryn told her. “I want to hear what you have to share.”
“As pretty as you are, your best quality as a woman, and the queen, is your esteem for yourself. You can only give your kingdom what flows through you. What you radiate must flow through you before you can give it to others.
“Now, I know you already know this because you showed magnificent esteem for yourself today. I am saying it now mostly because it feels good to say it. Perhaps I am telling you the information I’ve known all along but wish that I’d followed a little more closely.”
“I understand,” Taryn answered, her way of letting Hanna know to continue.
“When you unabashedly talked about boxing with full bloods, my first thought was ‘listen to the balls on this woman. She’s who I want to lead the way.’”
“Thank you. I can tell that you’re being sincere, which I appreciate,” Taryn answered. “I very rarely got compliments throughout my life. I am not complaining. But growing up, I wasn’t the baby, and I wasn’t the older twins. I was somewhere in the middle. In the middle is kind of a forgotten zone. What you said helps.”
SEVEN
DECLAN
He heard and felt Phillip leave. Then a quick peek out of his office window gave him a glimpse of Phillip leaving the palace.
Good, said the wolf.
Declan was quite pleased with how busy he had kept himself while Phillip visited Taryn and Hanna. Hanna was the perfect chaperone, but no chaperone would be a protective enough presence that the wolf would be comfortable with another alpha male in the room with his queen.
Taryn was his. She was his queen, his mate, and his prize.
Declan heard footsteps approach his office, followed by a small but firm knock at his door.
He knew who it was. His pulse fluttered slightly as he anticipated her walking into his office.
Taryn.
“Come in, please,” he barked at the door.
Taryn opened the door and entered. The entire office lit up. That always happened.
Taryn lit up every room she was in.
“I am headed into town,” she told him.
“I see,” he answered. He made sure to say it with a smile. “Are you and Lexi going to hold a clinic on bare-knuckle boxing?”
