AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Cirilla had returned sometimeduring the night to attend to my request and left the book in my room. I found myself staring at the book of queenly duties after I showered and dressed the following morning, a coffee in hand as I flopped at the island at the kitchenette.
Slowly, I turned the pages and studied the words, each one more foreign than the last. I’d never had occasion to read over any of these things, and they seemed almost comical to me. But if Elix and I were going to sell this engagement, she was going to have to play the role.
I set the book aside and rose, coffee mug in hand, to amble toward the front of my suite. Llyodiver stood on guard outside with Feyor on the other side. Both guards cast me a sidelong look through their peripheral vision.
“Send for the head of housekeeping,” I instructed the head of the Royal Guards. “I need to make some changes in suites.”
I’d come to recognize that I didn’t need to inform Cirilla of Elix’s movements after all. It was more fun to keep her guessing.
“Right away, Alpha,” the head of the Royal Guards agreed, hurrying to oblige my request.
I liked that Llyodiver never asked questions. It was what made him such a good, loyal member of the Royal Guards.
“Oh… and bring Elix to my chambers, too,” I added, calling out to Llyodiver’s retreating back.
“Yes, Alpha.”
I went back to sipping my coffee while perusing the book of duties, immersing myself in the numerous tasks listed there, a faint smile playing on my lips. It had been years since I last saw this book, and certainly, some entries felt outdated. The thought of Elix's reaction to reading them made me chuckle.
A knock at the door interrupted my perusing, and the head of housekeeping stood sternly at the threshold, waiting for my orders.
“I need Miss Elix moved up here,” I explained, gesturing vaguely toward one of the suites on the floor. “I want her nearby.”
The glimmer of confusion crossed over her face before she could hide it, but like the true professional she was, the head of housekeeping managed to mask it as soon as it appeared. “Yes, Alpha. Are there any other requirements?”
“She’ll need to be outfitted properly,” I said slowly, the wheels in my head turning as I mulled over the question. “Send a seamstress up to measure her… and station two guards outside her room. Senior officers.”
This time, the housekeeper couldn’t hide her bafflement. “I… yes, Alpha,” she mumbled. “May I ask what the occasion is?”
I almost told her, but I quickly stopped myself as I caught sight of Elix ambling up the stairs, looking slightly disheveled, as if she hadn’t slept a wink since the previous night. Her mascara streaked around her eyes, and her chestnut tresses piled over her head in a messy bun. She still looked ravishing.
“You may not ask. You may do as I requested,” I told her, my eyes fixed on Elix. “That’s all.”
The maid curtseyed and backed away, allowing Elix to enter, the two glancing warily at one another.
“What was that about?” Elix asked, stifling a yawn.
“I’m going over the details of our engagement.”
Her face paled. “Really?” A pucker of exasperation fell over her eyes. “You were serious about that? I half thought I was drunk.”
I scoffed and ushered her through the doorway, securing her into my suite. “Of course I was serious. And you didn’t drink that much… Did you?”
“No, I didn’t. Or maybe I thoughtyouwere drunk—or speaking in the heat of the moment. You were pretty jazzed up last night.”
She cast me a sidelong look.
I returned her look. “Are you backing out now? Is that what you’re saying?”
Her jaw twitched. “I didn’t say that.”
I waited for her to add something, but when she didn’t, I nodded confidently.
“Good. There are some things we need to discuss.” I waved her toward the kitchenette, and she reluctantly followed.
“Like what?” she sighed, leaning against the counter. My eyes raked over her lean, toned body, and I felt myself tighten at the crotch.
Clearing my throat, I turned away, forcing myself to focus.
