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Again, I was plagued by the notion that perhaps we were both getting in over our heads, but my doubts were short-lived as my phone began to ring, distracting me from losing myself in my own head.
I hurried toward the second floor of my suite where I’d left my cell to charge and cringed when I recognized the name on the call display.
It was time to face the music and get this show on the road.
“Hi, Saint,” I answered, stifling a sigh. “How was your trip?”
Chapter 8
Elix
As much as I resented Jace for his insane proposal, I couldn’t help but admire my new living arrangements as the servants finally filtered out, leaving my things in the huge closets and massive drawers. I was surrounded by all the beautiful furnishings of a true royal chamber and free to explore all the rooms.
It was true that Saint and I lived comfortably in downtown Geldon, our two-bedroom apartment in the heart of the city, well-furnished and tastefully decorated. But the suite put our house to shame.
I’d forgotten how luxurious it is here.
Much like Jace’s own suite, my new quarters were two floors, the second story open-concept and overlooking the first like an apartment. I wasn’t sure that the unit was smaller than our place in Geldon.
A king-sized bed sat in the center of the open concept top floor, next to a bathroom with its own jacuzzi and steam shower. There was a dressing room, almost the same size as our bathroom at home.
All the fixtures were gold, the countertops marble to match the floors. A fireplace graced every room except the bathroom,and the fridge in the small kitchen was filled with juices, water, and wine. A cupboard boasted myriad snacks, but a landline called directly to the main kitchen for anything else I might get a hankering for.
I shouldn’t get too used to this. It’s all temporary.
Not that I wanted to be here long term, anyway. Mom hadn’t lived long enough to see us get out of the palace, but that had been her biggest hope for the three of us. But now that I was back, I couldn’t understand why she would have wanted to leave it all behind.
Oh, right. Because she was Jace’s maid. And what am I now? His…?
There wasn’t even a title for what I was to him, at least nothing that was remotely flattering.
My next few months would guarantee me comfort and safety… until I became someone else’s problem. The question was, was it worth the hassle that Jace was putting me through? Who did he think he was, asking me to go through the motions of becoming queen?
Then again, maybe Saint would talk some sense into him.
The idea of my brother killing the plan before it had time to unfold didn’t exactly flood me with hope, either. Why couldn’t I figure out what I wanted in all this? Nothing seemed to make me happy.
Flopping down on the perfectly made bed, I opened the book of queenly duties, shaking my head in disgust. My phone started to ring from the main floor, and I sprinted down the stairs to answer it where I’d left my purse on the kitchen island. Saint had returned it to me after leaving me at the palace, suddenly eager for me to keep it very close.
“Don’t call anyone but me,” he had warned, holding it over his head as I tried to snatch it from him. “And make sure you answer when I call.”
I glanced down at the screen and saw my brother’s serious, stoic face peering back at me in the picture assigned to his contact.
Speak of the devil.
Drawing in a steadying breath, I answered it.
“Hey,” I chirped brightly. “How’s it going?”
“I leave you there for one day, and you two are already concocting a harebrained scheme?” Saint grumbled in my ear. A fusion of relief and disappointment washed through me.
He’s going to nix it. Good. Then I don’t have to look like the bad one… right?
Conflicted, I laughed nervously.
“It is stupid, isn’t it?” I agreed reluctantly.
“No,” Saint sighed. “It’s good. Jace is king for a reason. He has good foresight for all his flaws. This is a smart way to keep you safe.”
