Page 28 of The Time Of Queens

My undoing.

11

BEAUTIFUL DISTRACTIONS AND DREADED DREAMS

DRAVEN

“Gods,”I hissed under my breath as I made my way back to the dining room, taking the long way on purpose. For I most certainly needed the air to clear my head from such folly. But that was what the girl did, for I had never known myself so out of sorts.

So, rattled.

So…

“…Obsessed.”I finished aloud, speaking the word and knowing the weight of it against my social ranking. Ha, if only she knew the truth of it. For I didn’t give a damn for my rank in the mortal world. No, it was the Supernatural one that stood in our way.

That and the promise of a Chosen One.

I swear, but the moment I had seen a figure sneaking past in a cloak, my feet had followed before my mind caught up with my actions. But then upon discovering who it was, I had to question why a grin graced my lips and they hadn’t curled in annoyance.Why had I been pleased to find the little lady’s maid in place of the Electus I knew belonged to me?

It was maddening!

Yet I had stayed and taken the opportunity presented to me to converse with her in private once again. The easy manner in which she spoke to me was as intoxicating as her scent was. And as for her intelligence, well that was just as attractive as her pretty face.

No, not simply pretty…

She was beautiful.

The face of a Gods be damned Angel! A face that haunted me what seemed like every second of the day. Which made no sense at all, for I had just found my Fated Electus, yet all I seemed to be able to think about was a girl I knew I was not free to claim. A mortal I could not have, for she was not the one fated to be mine.

Then why was I wasting my time and torturing myself? Because I couldn’t stay away, that was why. Just finding her in my office should have been enough to have vexed me. However, I found the only thing that did vex me was when she left it. Whenever she walked away from me, that was what irked me.

Well, that was not entirely true, I also disliked how she had the ability to have me acting so out of character. For I couldn’t seem to help myself in confessing my wishes around her. Like the way I had foolishly asked if she would stay at Witley Court if I asked her to. I already dreaded the moment that Pip and Adam would leave and therefore take her with them.

When they would take her from me.

But I was intrigued, for I wondered what would her answer have been had Adam not taken that moment to walk in, confirming her story about the snuff box. And I didn’t even wish to dissect why I had been so adamant in having her ride with me tomorrow, not willing to take no for an answer. Going so far as to shamelessly use my position as master of this house to get herto consent. No wonder my brother was worried for me. Believing all I needed was to wet my wick. But if only he knew the truth. If only he knew that my fear was that one taste of her would be all it would take for me to fuel the obsession. For I knew that in all likelihood, I would have never let her leave my room.

Something told me that she was worth far more than a single night in my bed, but instead an eternity in it. Hence why I gritted my teeth at just the thought, for I was losing all good sense!

In fact, the very last thing I wanted to do right in this moment was to sit down to dinner and play the part of the good host. Although the second I heard whisperings being spoken of the girl, I found myself stopping. Now, normally, I couldn’t care less about the comings and goings of the staff, much less give heed to idle gossip. However, the second I heard her name mentioned, I knew nothing could have stopped me from eavesdropping.

“Oh, so you missed Miss Williams playing the heroine then, for what a wonderful spectacle it made of Mrs Weathers, of course the horrid woman deserved it… I barely understand how the wretched woman even found a husband,” the maid said, slightly going off on a tangent as it was clear the woman didn’t like the cook.

“I thought he died?” The other maid pointed this out and honestly, I had no clue. In fact, I would have left my hiding place had I not been so desperate to hear even a slither of information on Keira. For I confess I was intrigued as to what I may find out. What was she like when I wasn’t around? She seemed very familiar with Pip, but then, most were who liked the endearing Imp. My sister included.

“Aye he did, and no doubt found himself an early grave as a way to rid himself of a life with her, that nasty wench.”

I nearly scoffed aloud at this. For I had seen Mrs Weathers for myself and yes, she certainly seemed to rule her kitchen withan iron fist. Perhaps she was being too hard on the rest of the staff, and it was something that needed looking into.

“Betsy, you mustn’t speak of such things,”her friend hissed in warning, obviously fearful for the maid being caught speaking out of turn.

“Oh, don’t be such a prig, besides, thanks to Miss Williams, the nasty cook finally got what was coming to her.”

Ah so finally we get the part that interested me.

“Why, what did she do?”

“Well, none of us expected it, mind you, especially not coming from Miss Williams who didn’t exactly fit in with the rest of us… but the second she took one look at Mrs Weathers hitting poor Fanny, she stepped in like some avenging angel.”

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