Page 56 of Regally Binding

“They’re not my family. I don’t have a family. I don’t have anyone on my side.” Did she mean that? After all, the reason she was there was to have a family.

“You have a boyfriend,” he hit back before refolding his arms and raising an eyebrow.

“I don’t. I have a man who is a friend, not that it’s any of your business.” She downed her drink in defiance.

“He’s not acting like a friend,” Bear replied, walking away.

“And how should a friend act? Please share your wisdom, Bear.” She followed him. Her heels tapped against the marble floor. “All I’ve seen from you tonight is a grumpy man who wants everyone to do as he says. You’re a guy with emotional walls up who just has hookups. It’s not like you’d know how to be anyone’s boyfriend.” The alcohol was loosening her tongue.

Bear stopped suddenly. He seemed to grow another foot as he turned. Liss froze as he stepped closer. His hands were in fists, and his jaw was stiff. His body burnt against hers as he said in a tone laden with depths that made her limbs quiver, “Princess, if I were your boyfriend, I wouldn’t stand for anyone talking toyou like Marianne and Alex did tonight. I wouldn’t care if they were royalty or the fucking president. If I were your boyfriend, I would have destroyed this place and all those in it because of the lack of respect they gave you. No one would ever laugh in your face or call you a dummy again. Nothing would be more important than respecting and caring for you.”

He turned on his heel and walked away again.

Liss threw her hands in the air. She kept her wince internal. “Is that what Steve should have done? How would that help this situation?”

He stopped sharply and turned. “It wouldn’t help the situation, but it would prove to all those who aren’t even good enough to kiss your fucking shoes that you are the most incredible woman in the world. You deserve daily adoration, not humiliation, whether dressed like you’re on a catwalk or lounging in your pyjamas,” he growled.

Liss sucked in the air. His eyes bored into hers. No man had called her incredible before. He added before she asked him to repeat himself, “I’m going to walk the building and ask Strike to watch you. In the meantime, stop drinking before you do something you regret.”

It was as if his previous words meant nothing. He was telling her what to do again. Why did everyone insist on telling her what or who she should be? Liss’s head swam. It was too late for his warning. The alcohol was in control, and the only thing stopping her from doing something foolish was food and sleep, and neither were on offer any time soon.

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Liss counted to ten and walked back towards the ballroom, but slow footsteps behind her made her pause.

At a croaking sound, she whipped around, lifting her fists to protect herself.

“Felicity.” It was the King. His steps were shaky, and his hands trembled as Liss rushed to his aid, tucking her arm through his.

“King Archibald—” she gasped. His eyes sunk in his head, and his skin wore a yellow tinge.

“Felicity, you’re beautiful. That shade of purple suits you,” he replied between coughs. The antiseptic smell surrounded them, and close up, she spied his wrinkles even under the corridor’s glittering lights. He’d deteriorated so quickly.

“Should I ask someone to bring a chair?” she asked, rubbing his back. His suit was soft against her palm. “Or maybe you should return to bed?”

“No, I am fine.” He pulled himself up and puffed out his chest, but it didn’t hide the quake of his hands or the weariness that flowed from him with each shallow breath. “I’ve got to introduce everyone to my new granddaughter. The King can’t be anything but at his best.”

She winced a smile at the reminder that she was entering a life that wasn’t for her. People shouldn’t always be at their best, no matter who they are. Suddenly, the King launched into a story of being in a battle when he was in the air force. “And as fifty fighters closed in on my platoon, we held our nerve. I didn’t lose any men that day. The battle saved a village.” She wrinkled hernose, and her now genuine smile grew as his hands danced. This was the King she recognised on television. Would she have the chance to spend time with him before her training and duties started? If she rejected the throne, he wouldn’t want to spend time with her anyway.

“King Archibald—” she uttered, attempting to broach the subject of her future.

“Grandad,” he cut in gently. “Please call me grandad.”

“Grandad.” His eyes lit up, and creases appeared in the corners of his smile. A warmth filled her chest. This man seemed to accept her for who she was in a way her nana never had. “I was wondering what happens next.”

“Tonight?”

“No, I—”

Marianne and Alex rushed through the door. “There you are. We’re ready for your speech. You’re going to be late,” Alex chastised his father as if he were a small child caught playing in the toy aisle at a supermarket.

As her head fuzzed and her gaze swam, she held the King tightly.

“I’ve told you before, Alex. The King is never late.” He stopped to whisper to Liss, “Everyone else is merely early.” He chuckled, and Liss joined in. His laugh was melodic until his barking cough replaced it.

Marianne elbowed Liss out of the way. Liss attempted to speak, but Marianne held a hand in her face to quiet her. Her diamond ring glinted under the lights, nearly blinding her. “Have you taken your medication, sir?”

“Of course. And I’ve got the rest right here in case I need a top-up.” The King fumbled in his pocket. His hands shook, and he dropped a foil packet of pills. Alex crossed his arms and tsked. Liss glimpsed the label as she reached for them, but Marianne nudged her aside and retrieved them. Something was familiarabout the pack. Liss pressed a hand against her mouth, but the alcohol made it trickier to reach her memories.

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