Page 30 of The Heart of the King

She shook her head. “That sounds nice.”

A curved staircase led to the second level. David took her hand again as they walked up it. When they reached the top, he turned to the right and pointed to one door. “That’s the main bedroom and sitting room. That’s where I’ll live from now on.” He pointed to another door. “Traditionally, that was the queen’s quarters. I have no idea if my mother or grandmother stayed in there or with their husbands.”

Jasmine stared at the queen’s door. “Which do you prefer?”

She hadn’t been staying in his room while they were in the VIP quarters, but he hoped that would change at some point. He moved to a small sofa and sat down. She sat next to him.

David took her other hand in his as well. “What I want, someday, is a real marriage. I want you to stay here, not just long enough to help with the primogeniture and updating the norms for women in Auverignon. I want to fall in love with you and everything that goes along with that.”

Tears filled Jasmine’s eyes. “I think I want that, too, but I don’t know if I can do this whole queen thing. The always being on and happy and never knowing if someone is taking your photo if you’re anywhere but certain places in the palace.” She glanced around. “A stinkin’ palace. I hoped to visit Europe and tour a palace someday, but to actually live in one and be on display all the time? I don’t know about that.”

David nodded. “I understand that sentiment. It likely wouldn’t be my first choice either, but I don’t have a choice. I love my people, and I have to do what’s best for them. I don’t have a choice but to live this life.”

“I know you don’t, and I don’t know you well, not yet, but I’m proud of you for making that choice and for pushing for things to be better for women in your country. I’m just not sure if I’m the best one to be at your side and help make those changes.”

David squeezed her hands and managed a smile. “Well, then I’ll just have to make you fall in love with me and Auverignon so much that you have no choice but to stay.” He stood and helped her stand. “Let me show you your quarters.”

Maybe, someday soon, she’d decide she wanted to stay permanently. Then he’d talk to her about moving into his room.

11

The Queen’s Quarters were the nicest place Jazz had ever stayed. One large room with a sitting area and a bedroom were quasi-separated by pillars on either side of the room. Curtains were pulled back on either side, but there was no way they’d cover the whole opening.

A door to the left might lead into the King’s Quarters, but she skipped over that and headed for the doors on the other side of the room. She hoped one included a bathroom with a tub big enough for a real human being. She didn’t know much about her mother-in-law, but she suspected the woman liked top of the line pampering.

The door away from the windows led to a large closet. Her clothes didn’t fill much of it, even with all she’d accumulated over the last couple of weeks. That would probably change.

Another door from the closet led into the opulent bathroom. There was, in fact, a giant sunken tub with steps into a steamer shower that had to be larger than her whole bathroom at the apartment.

Rather than soaking in the tub, she decided to take a sort of quick shower. David had said he wanted to spend the rest of the evening with her.

She’d told him she liked that idea, but only if she could wear something comfortable. He agreed to wear pajama pants and a t-shirt.

Jazz could get on board with that.

Once dressed, she wandered around her new room a bit more. There wasn’t a dresser but a giant armoire stood against the wall opposite the bed. A desk occupied a portion of the same wall.

The windows were heavily curtained, allowing no light to come in.

Darkness had fallen outside though.

That was something she’d have to get used to about her adopted country - the long nights in the winter with no real sunshine, and long days in the summer with very little darkness.

She opened the doors to the armoire to find part of the entertainment system - a Blu-ray player and a couple of other boxes she didn’t recognize - but no television. Odd. There wasn’t one in the sitting area either.

A knock took her attention away from the equipment, but it didn’t seem to be coming from the double doors that she’d used to enter her room.

She opened the side door instead.

As she suspected, it led to the King’s Quarters. David stood on the other side, hands shoved deep into the pockets of his pajama pants.

“You look cozy,” he told her. “I thought we could have dinner and maybe watch a movie?”

Jazz nodded. “That sounds nice. I found the equipment, but no television.”

David chuckled. “There are hidden ones in both rooms. The remotes should be in one of the bedside tables.”

“Good to know.”

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