Page 57 of Cold Heir

“Good morning, Your Majesty,” Silas and Levi crooned in unison, laying it on thicker than usual, considering the conversation we’d just been caught having. Meanwhile, I coughed up the last of my water.

She glanced over at me, and I was certain I wasn’t making the greatest impression.

“Good morning, Mother,” I rasped. “You’re a bit early. My apologies. We weren’t expecting you so soon.”

With her brow raised, she nodded. “Clearly.”

Taking slow steps into the room, she glanced around as if expecting things to be different around here since her last visit from the main house several months ago.

“Would you like something to eat,” I offered, standing to fetch her a plate.

“That won’t be necessary,” she stated in that unnervingly poised tone she tended to take when handling business.

“Well, certainly you’ll join us for a drink,” Levi offered, reaching for a glass.

“Don’t bother. I’m here for one reason, and one reason only,” she made clear, leveling a dark look my way. “I’d like to meet your Doll, now. Alone.”

Chapter Twenty

Corina

“Hurry,” Elle urged. “The empress isn’t known to be a patient woman.”

While she spoke, I shoved my feet into the legs of my jeans, hopping to get into them quicker. Apparently, I’d been left out of the loop concerning the empress’ visit. Or perhaps she’d simply come unannounced. Either way, I’d already kept her waiting ten minutes since being told she wanted to meet me, and I didn’t exactly have high hopes it would go well.

“Ok, I’m good,” I insisted, stopping Elle when she tried to fuss over my hair a little more. Straightening my blouse, I breathed deeply.

I’d racked my brain since Elle barged in to tell me my presence had been requested, trying to figure out why she insisted we meet so urgently. It was possible that being summoned at the last minute was somewhat of a power play on the empress’ part, but I wouldn’t know that until I made it downstairs to read her in person.

Elle rushed me down the stairs, forgetting that onlyoneof us was an A.I. When she hung a quick right toward the parlor and study, instead of a left toward the dining room, I was confused.

“Wait, I thought the guys were having brunch,” I whispered, feeling my brow tense.

“They are,” she whispered back, “but the empress is waiting for you in Julian’s study. Apparently, she’d like to speak with you alone.”

That odd feeling in the pit of my stomach spread throughout my entire body now.

“Would have been nice if you had led with that,” I scolded.

Now, not only was I meeting Julian’s mother for the first time—theempress,no less—but he wouldn’t be present as a buffer.

Great. Just great.

Elle slowed just outside the door, and I gave a nod when I was ready for her to open it. Holding my breath, I waited for the woman to come into view, and when she did, Istillcouldn’t breathe.

I had never seen her up close, her striking features, and the porcelain skin that made the deep crimson of her eyes almost frightening. A pitch-black updo left her delicate features exposed, and despite knowing she could shift into a monster at any time, I only considered her beautiful.

A weak smile was passed my way, and she adjusted the waist of the dramatic black skirt she wore with a stark-white blouse tucked inside.

“Good morning, dear,” she greeted me. “You must be Corina.”

My smile felt lopsided. “Good morning. I am.”

Her crimson gaze swept over me from head to toe, and I was left with the overwhelming feeling that she wasn’t completely impressed with what she saw. All of a sudden—noting how the hem of her skirt fluttered across the rug with her steps—I wished I’d chosen something a bit more formal. Maybe even a different hairstyle. After all, she was completely glammed up despite the early hour. That was their way, though. Not really mine.

“Sit,” she beamed, feigning a smile.

We lowered into the two armchairs beside the fire, but I couldn’t quite get comfortable. Not sitting face-to-face with her, so the room filled with dead air.

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