Page 28 of Alpha's Impostor Bride

Harriet’s eyes flash at me, and she says through gritted teeth, “Will there be anything else, Sire?”

“No.” I have a feeling she’ll have something to say to me if I utter another word. As she reaches the door, though, I tell her, “The Eastern Kingdom’s palace was very colorful. Give Leanna something to do aside from work. Tell her to decorate this castle.”

Harriet now turns to face me. “Decorate the castle?” She’s looking at me as if I have suddenly grown two horns on the top of my head.

“Yes,” I growl. “What’s so hard to understand?”

“How do you want it decorated? For an event?”

“No. Just put in some color.” My eyes flick toward the still figure on the bed, and my voice lowers. “And tell her that I dislike Princess Vivian’s taste.”

Harriet stares at me for a moment, and for the first time in two weeks, I see a small smile curling at the corner of her lips. “Very well. There may be hope for you yet.”

The last part is whispered and, I’m sure, not meant for my ears. But I’m not going to argue with a woman who once used to whoop my ass. I throw some logs into the fire after she’s gone and wonder what I’m trying to do. Decorate the castle? I’m acting as if I care about the woman sleeping in my bed.

Well, it’ll give her something to do, I tell myself. Stripping off my shirt, I climb into bed beside my mate. Carefully, I rearrange her in my arms. She’s asleep and won’t know. This is just to make sure she doesn’t get cold during the night, I justify to myself.

But as I bury my face in her hair, I remember the salty scent from last night. I’m sure she had been crying.

Foolish woman.

I throw my leg over her hip to make sure she doesn’t go anywhere.

My attention is drawn to the garden outside my office window.

What is that woman doing now?

She’s hunched over by the side of a tree in the most unladylike position, digging. My eyes narrow as I watch her look around in a suspicious manner before she continues whatever she is up to.

“Did you hear me, Cedric?”

Edgar’s voice brings me back. “What?”

He gives me a strange look. “I was asking if you have decided what to do about the full moon.”

For a moment, I gaze at him uncomprehendingly, and then it hits me. “What kind of question is that?”

He clears his throat. “Given your disposition toward the queen, I want to know whether you envision having a child with her this year or not.”

“That was the plan, wasn’t it?”

I turn my attention back toward the woman in the garden. Has she lost her mind? If she wants to have a hole dug, why isn’t she asking one of the gardeners? Why the hell is she doing this herself?

“Look, whatever is out there is far less interesting than what I’m trying to say to you,” my friend snaps at me. He walks around the desk to see what I’m looking at, and before I can stop him, he manages to catch a glimpse.

“Is that Queen Vivian?” he mumbles, shocked.

I shove him away. “Mind your own business.”

“I’m trying to, but you’re completely distracted by her. What is she doing?”

“Beats me.”

“So, go ask her.” Edgar scoffs. “What is she trying to do, dig her way out of the castle?” He snickers as he says it, and when I give him a level look, his laughter fades.

“For someone who is supposed to be my advisor, you sure do lack the right amount of brain cells.”

“You’re just as curious as me. Go find out what she’s doing so we can all move on with our lives.”

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