Page 19 of The Forsaken Heir
“No, seriously,” she said, looking somewhat desperate. “It’ll be fine, I can?—”
“I’m sorry, but this is how things have to be. The tensions between your people and mine is high, and I can’t let this go without an official apology. Until then, you will be an honored guest of House Decimus.”
“Okay,” she said, the word coming out in a dejected sigh.
Why did she seem so dead-set against me notifying her family?
“Vince, go get Titus. Tell him to have the maids send up a lady’s robe, fresh bedding, and additional toiletries to the guest suite down the hall. We have a guest, and quarters need to be prepared for her.” I looked at Rasp, who still looked chastened, pressed against a wall to get away from my angry glare. “Andyou, go to the kitchens and find her some food. And wine. She is an honored guest of House Decimus, and shewillbe treated like one.”
“Yeah,” Rasp said, hurrying toward the door, followed closely by Vince. “We’re on it, Aurelius.”
Turning back to Brielle, I found her staring into space, an almost dazed look in her eyes.
“If you’ll excuse me, I’m going to summon one of our diplomatic messengers. I hope to have word sent to your family tonight if possible, but by first light at the latest,” I said, backing toward the door. “For now, consider my room and my bath yours to use as you please. You’re free to lock the door if that makes you feel more secure. The others should return shortly to show you to your room.”
“Yup, thanks,” she said, and finally uncrossed her arms. She chuckled ruefully. “Let me know what my parents say. Should be a good one.”
Frowning in confusion at that comment, I bowed to her and hurried from the room. Dad should be informed, but that could wait. Ihadto get word out as soon as possible. The last thing I wanted was for someone to realize the beloved firstborn daughter of House Laurent had been kidnapped by the royal house of dragons. God only knew what they would do if they found out before I could craft a delicate and well-written letter.
It could mean the war I’d been desperate to avert would come even faster.
5
BRIELLE
Icontinued rubbing at my wrists as I gazed around the luxurious room and tried to figure out how this had happened to me. Just a few hours ago, I’d been eating dinner with Delphine. Now, I was in AureliusfuckingDecimus’s bedroom. And holy shit, was hewaycuter in person. I’d only ever heard about him in passing, and even that had been when I was a kid and still lived with my family.
On the bright side, he seemed really nice. Truth be told, all three of them were kinda nice.
A knock sounded at the door, and I jumped in surprise.
“Uh,hey. Umm, are you, like, naked or anything?”
I rolled my eyes. “No, Vincent, I amnotnaked.”
“Oh, sweet,” he said, as he opened the door.
Behind him, two women followed, with Rasp on their heels. The ladies, for their part, looked unfazed at finding a strange woman in their prince’s room. Did this happen often? Wouldn’t surprise me. Aurelius had the look of a guy who could have any womanhe wanted. With the money and power he had, he could be the world’s biggest playboy for all I knew.
Unbidden, the memory of him entering the room flashed through my mind. His lithe body, powerful and muscular, but not bulky, moved like water over stones. He had a strange grace that was incongruous to his size. He had to be at least six foot four or five. He actually towered over me, which was something I wasn’t used to.
“We brought these ladies to get your room ready,” Vincent said, a placid smile on his face. “They’re maids.”
“I figured as much,” I said.
“This way, ma’am,” one of the women said.
“Oh shit,” Rasp said. “I almost forgot. Titus was putting some food in your room. You’ll have a snack before bed.”
“Thanks,” I muttered as I followed the maid.
Behind me, Vincent and Rasp trailed along like puppies.
“So, I’m really sorry about all this,” Rasp said. “We thought we were doing you a solid.”
“Asolid?” I glanced back at him as we walked.
“Yeah! See, we were, like,sureyou’d been kidnapped.”
