Page 39 of The Time Of Queens

“Afterlife. Of course, it’s September, you will be having meetings with the Enforcers and…”

“Wait, how did you know that?” she asked, interrupting me.

“Because you continued with that tradition, and it was when I first met Draven. You were only supposed to be there for a few weeks, but you ended up staying,” I told her.

“Yes, I can image we did stay if he met you,” she replied looking thoughtful.

“He didn’t just meet me, Sophia, I started working for him.”

At this her eyes grew wide before she looked me up and down, my maid’s outfit speaking louder than words.

As for me, I walked over to the window and looked out to the fountain, as I too thought on this. Then after closing my eyes a few seconds, I turned back to face them and said,

“Then that must be it, as it is obviously Fated to be this way, or why else would I find myself transported back to a wholenew timeline. One when you are usually not here? It must be something to do with why Draven is here now…it has to be.”

“I would be inclined to agree but I still can’t think of why? If it is only to get into the fountain, then there are many other times we would be here and with many coins on hand for that matter, for it is rare for my brother to have none left.” I released a sigh and tossed my arms up.

“I don’t know, but if there’s one thing I am certain of, it’s that if Fate has a hand in it, then there is a reason for everything they put me through,” I said, trying not to let the bitterness I felt coat my words.

“Then let’s hope their plans come to light… and soon,” she replied, making Pip scoff.

“Yes, and preferably before she gets tossed over your brother’s shoulder again and carried into his room… or maybe not?” Pip giggled when she saw my expression, making me shake the lustful look off my face and agree with a blush.

“Yeah… I mean, totally.”

Needless to say…

I wasn’t convincing.

“So,what are we saying I will need for me to get back in Draven’s office… as, well, I am not sure how many times you can lose the same snuff box, Pip,” I asked before moaning at my first cup of tea of the day. To say that my meals had been sporadic was an understatement, as I found myself stealing food and cups of tea wherever I was with Sophia and Pip. But then someone would walk in, and I would have to choke it down quickly and pretend as if I was serving Pip her food.

Which was exactly what happened now, when Draven walked into the drawing room the day after the incident, making me quickly gulp down what was in my mouth and pass it to Pip, saying,

“I believe it is not too hot now, my lady.”

Pip stifled a laugh before taking the cup from me with a nod of her head… a sexual comment no doubt just on the tip of her tongue and practically screaming to get out.

“Ah, Miss Williams, might I have a word?” Draven asked, and because I was nervous about what that word might be, my reluctance must have shown on my face. Because he held out his arm towards the door and added,

“If you please.”

I nodded, casting a quick, unsure look to Sophia and Pip before walking through the door. He then led me towards his office, his hand momentarily covering my lower back, making me shiver against the contact. It was as if he had done this without thinking, as I felt his hand turn into a fist before dropping away. As if frustrated that he wasn’t yet free to touch me whenever the inclination took him.

I paused outside his door, unsure what I would find inside. Was this going to be an ambush? Did he know who I was? Had Lucius discovered something so soon and he was in there waiting?

Sure, it had only been a day since Lucius had arrived, but he wasn’t dumb. Far from it, as Lucius was one of the most cunning people I had ever met in my life. Which was why I recognised something in his expression that Draven might have missed. He knew I was hiding something, along with no doubt knowing how his King truly felt about me.

Which meant he would eventually put two and two together, if he hadn’t already. Hence why when Draven opened the door for me, I let out a small sigh of relief to see the room was empty.The sound of the door closing behind me made me flinch, I was so on edge.

“Please feel at ease, for I know after yesterday…” He paused, shaking his head as if pained by the memory… and wait, what was this… he also looked…embarrassed?I would have laughed in shock had it not been cruel and out of character.

Draven never looked unsure about anything, let alone embarrassed. It was such an unusual sight that I was strangely in awe of it. Half of me wanted to comfort him, and the other half made me want to tease him. Both of which I would have done freely at home.

But I wasn’t home.

And this Draven wasn’t mine.

“I don’t…” I started to speak, but Draven’s head snapped up and he told me,

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