Page 107 of Royal Caleva: Luis

She had changed her clothes and was now wearing navy trousers and an emerald green blouse with white flowers scattered over it. His fingers itched to unbutton it to reveal the curves of her breasts.

Yes, he was definitely feeling better.

A delicious blush climbed Eve’s cheeks as she said, “You look much better.” And he knew she was remembering last night. Good.

“I feel my strength has returned, thanks to the excellent care I have received here.” He let his gaze rest on the three of them.

The door opened again, and Mikel slipped in.

“Señor.” Mikel bowed after he had spent several seconds examining Luis’s face. “I am glad to see you improved.”

“Much improved, Mikel,” Luis said. “I will be leaving the hospital tomorrow.”

A chorus of protest arose. He silenced it with a wave of his hand. Or thought he had.

“Pater,” Raul said, undeterred. “Bruno has already canceled all but the most pressing meetings tomorrow, and I will be handling those.”

“Excellent. That will free me up to focus on the press conference announcing Grace as my daughter. I wish to hold it on Tuesday,” Luis said.

“Dad, there’s no rush,” Grace said. “I don’t want you to have a relapse because you’ve overtaxed yourself.”

But the clock was ticking for many reasons. If Luis went back to the palace tomorrow, no one but Luis’s closest circle needed to know about the poisoning. Mikel had kept even Lorenzo and Gabriel away from the hospital, despite their vociferous protests. His security chief had made the strong argument that the more members of the royal family who visited, the more likely someone would be spotted, bringing the media down on them. Luis had spoken with his family members by phone to assure them that he was not about to depart this mortal coil yet.

In addition, the editor at La Voix might become impatient at being put off and decide to run the photograph of Eve and him on the beach. The photo he now cherished. Odette’s reaction was not such a concern now—although who could predict a madwoman’s response?—but he wished to protect Eve from any distasteful speculation.

“I will do all my work sitting down,” Luis said in a tone that brooked no argument. “Mikel, I expect a full briefing on Camacho tomorrow.”

“Of course, Señor.” Mikel’s face offered no clue as to how the investigation was progressing.

“Sit, everyone,” Luis said, cutting off any further objections. “Talk to me. As Raul said, I need entertainment.”

Eve snorted. “Are you calling us court jesters?”

He let his gaze run down her body as he thought about how he would prefer to entertain himself with her. She frowned at him with a warning glance at the others, who were finding places to sit. He gave her a lascivious smile that turned her frown into a scowl. She turned away as Mikel brought up a chair for her.

“Does anyone know a good joke?” Grace asked. “Jesters are supposed to make the king laugh, right?”

“When is a king like a piece of wood?” Eve asked with a slight edge in her voice as she threw him a challenging look.

“That’s a riddle, not a joke,” Grace said.

“I believe your mother may be referring to my stubbornness on the subject of my health,” Luis said. “The correct answer is when he’s a ruler.”

His audience gave him a mocking cheer, while Eve rolled her eyes at him.

“What is the most frustrating thing for a dragon at its birthday party?” Raul chimed in.

They all looked at Luis. He thought for a moment before he shrugged.

“Wait, I know!” Grace held up her hand like a student in class. “Blowing out the candles.”

Mikel surprised him by speaking. “What person is strong enough to move a king’s castle?”

“You know riddles?” Eve asked, looking startled.

“I have a teenage daughter,” Mikel said.

“I think I know the answer,” Raul said. “Pater?”

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