Total pages in book: 192
Estimated words: 192810 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 964(@200wpm)___ 771(@250wpm)___ 643(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 192810 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 964(@200wpm)___ 771(@250wpm)___ 643(@300wpm)
I studied another prince of my realm.
Aleksei’s youngest brother was the picture of a morph of his mother and father, except he got the more feminine traits of his mother, including her hair, and the weaker traits of his father.
In other words, he wasn’t unattractive, but he wasn’t handsome.
He was pretty.
I returned to Cat. “Is Terrinton okay?”
“He’s ecstatic,” she shockingly shared. “He said all the pieces were better after Aleksei was done demolishing them. He wants to refund all the money, hike up the prices, and sell them all again.”
From what little I knew of the old guy, that tracked.
“And before you worry,” Cat went on. “Aleksei’s people have already been hard at work. Everything’s boarded up. Terrinton could sell a sandcastle he kicked over for a million marks and pretty much any being would buy something the True Heir wrecked. So once we get the front repaired, which insurance covers.” She shot a look at Aleksei. “In other words, your offer to pay is declined.” She came back to me. “We’ll do what Terrinton says. Double our take. And right now, I’m sitting on the hottest gallery in all Four Realms.” She returned to Aleksei. “So thanks for the drama, my prince. I feel a big, fat bonus coming on.”
That was a weird way for all that to work out.
But it was good to know it all worked out.
“Although your concern for us is not surprising, as you are our Laura,” Mr. Truelock’s dry voice cut in. “I believe we’re all more interested in how you’re doing, my lovely.”
Aleksei pulled me closer to his side.
“I’ve been really worried about you,” I admitted.
“Again, unsurprising,” Mr. Truelock replied. “But something like what happened would mean I’d be disappointed if any stone went unturned in discovering what was behind it. It was a minor inconvenience, and expeditious in moving on to discovering what’s really going on.”
It wasn’t a minor inconvenience.
It was just how much they cared about me.
Aleksei had been right about how they’d react to interrogation under truth serum.
In my instruction, Madam Garwah also hadn’t gotten into whether you could burst out crying in front of the king and queen, even if you were in your mate’s house.
I was saved this possible breach of etiquette by the intervention of another royal.
“Are we going to be introduced to your mate?” Timothee cut in to demand of Aleksei.
I turned my attention to him.
Conversely, Timothee looked a lot like Aleksei, just a shorter, thinner, watered-down version.
And I felt upon laying eyes on him there was just something…off.
“Tim, Rol, this is my mate, Laura. Laura, Tim and Rol,” Aleksei said in an offhand and insulting manner.
Hearing that, I shot Cat a look. She returned it and then shot Gayle a look. Gayle aimed one at her then at me.
Annnnnnnd…yeah.
There was perhaps more dysfunction here than I thought, and I was thinking there was some serious dysfunction here.
King Fillion rose, and obviously, I wasn’t the only one to get Aleksei’s memo, because everyone remained seated when he did.
“We’re all here to form a united front after what happened last night, and to indicate our support of the match of Aleksei and his mate,” he declared. “As such, in a few minutes, we’ll appear at the front of the building for a photo op and a short speech from the king.”
Oh, gods, no.
I tensed.
When I did, the pads of Aleksei’s fingers dug into my waist and the heat of his displeasure beat into my side.
“I wouldn’t have picked that outfit,” Germaine put in, studying my clothing critically. “But I’m feeling it. It says, casual stay at home with my hunky mate, the True Heir, after drama and intrigue filled our night.”
“It would have been nice if you checked with Laura and I first to ascertain we were at one with this plan,” Aleksei said to his dad.
“Your tech was muted,” King Fillion returned.
“It’s nine thirty, Father. The day is hardly wasting,” Aleksei shot back.
“We were curious to meet her,” Timothee put in.
“As she’ll be by my side the rest of my life, you’d have plenty of opportunity,” Aleksei retorted.
“Perhaps there’s somewhere my wife, my girls and I can…relax while you all…discuss,” Mr. Truelock suggested haltingly, but diplomatically.
Aleksei turned his attention to him. “You asked for the injection before they even mentioned it.”
Wait.
He did?
That was news.
My gaze shot to Mr. Truelock as my heart skipped contentedly.
“So did Freya,” Aleksei continued. “Cat and Gayle agreed the minute it was suggested.”
Ah.
My queens.
I sent a grateful smile their way.
Aleksei kept talking.
“Therefore, I’m glad you’re here so I can thank you personally for your sacrifice on behalf of my mate, your show of loyalty and solidarity, and your willingness to go to extremes to prove I can trust you with her. I’m also glad you’re here because she fretted about all of you last night. It’s important you know, we disagreed that you should be interrogated. Laura argued against it. She vehemently didn’t want to put you through it, but more, she knew in her heart it was unnecessary. Further, she worried what it would say that you had to endure it. As such, it heartens her to see you here and know you hold no ill-will against her.”